Die Krise ist kein Fußballspiel: Bemerkungen zu einem medial inszenierten Konflikt

Abstract

This article argues that the perception of a crisis in German-Greek relations that began with the „Greek crisis“ in the autumn of 2009 is the result of media coverage on both sides that indulged in football-style „us“ against „them“ generalizations and in national stereotypes, instead of conducting an adequately nuanced analysis. The paper examines instances of the strife between German and Greek print and online media during the period 2010-2012 and focuses on the discursive tropes that were used to invoke specific social, cultural, and historical images. While some German media stressed „Greek“ laziness, unreliability, and non-existent „Europeanness“, their Greek counterparts focused on Germany’s Nazi past, the memory of German occupation during World War II, and Greek sovereignty. This public discourse has increased the danger that politicians charged with making decisions in the crisis will be acting under pressure and on false or stereotypical premises. The changing image of Greece in the eyes of fellow Europeans might jeopardize Greece’s standing as a European nation.