Germany’s biggest copycat and his fall from political goldenboy

On 1 March 2011, Germany’s most popular politician, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg of the Christian Democratic Union Party, resigned as Minister of Defence after was caught plagiarising in his doctoral thesis. In total, Guttenberg had copied over 76.34% of his thesis from websites and books without referencing them. (Wikia 2011) Subsequently, the University Beyreuth revoked his academic title. Dr zu Guttenberg Minister of Defence was no more and ‘zu Googleberg’ was born. (TAZ 2011) What resulted out of his shameful departure, however, was Germany discussing plagiarism (more than ever) and doubting society’s academic values. Chancellor Merkel once called Germany the “Republic of Education and Culture” and that it was “the land of ideas”. (Welt 2011) In the wake of one of Germany’s biggest political scandals many academics and PhD students are questioning this.

Why are the Germans so fixated with doctorates, and was it justified for Guttenberg to become the poster child of plagiarism?

Germany is trying to prevail the academic prestige it is known for. The pressure to get a doctorate in Germany is huge. With a PhD one can earn more, get the ‘dream job’ and become a part of the academic elite. It is a common fact that German employers require PhD degrees for certain positions. “The motives for a doctor title are equally diverse. There are those whose soul is possessed with their subject – (…) but such obsessive’s must be in a minority (…) Nowadays, German doctoral theses are written opportunistically: for a medical doctor or an architect, the title is essential, for a chemist or a pharmacist, doctorates have become an unofficial part of their training. Moreover, in many companies only lawyers or people with MBAs are promoted to managing positions.” (The Local 2011) With a so called ‘Dr’ title in front of your name, you will earn 15% more than without one and the respect and credibility that is attached, is too good for many to miss out on. “A 2001 survey revealed that 58.5% of chief executives in Germany had PhDs, compared with only 1.3% in the US. Yet the overall percentages of the population embarking on a PhD are fairly similar (Germany’s is 1.3%, the US’s 1.5%). These figures hint at a trend whereby German PhDs are becoming little more than career boosters, as opposed to genuine research intended to further knowledge.” (The Guardian 2011) Compared to the UK for example, where people with PhD’s tend to be discreet, Germans take their doctorates as part of their name. You will see ‘Dr.’ on their doorbell, letterheads, their passports, email addresses, and so on. In a poll by ARD television over 74% could care less that Guttenberg cheated to get his Dr title and a Facebook support group, urging him to return to politics, counts over 500,000 followers. (Yahoo 2011) After he gave up his doctorate 72% of the public considered the issue solved, while only 24% demanded his resignation. (Die Presse 2011) Most of these 24% are certainly people working in the academic field. Academics claimed that Guttenberg has tarnished the value of academia and called for his resignation in an open letter to Chancellor Merkel (see appendix). They are furious that he plagiarized so blatantly and think that he only got his doctorate to gain respect in society. Over 7000 professors and doctorates signed this letter urging him to resign. Guttenberg’s supporters have condemned this saying: “We have all cheated before, we are human”. Guttenberg was certainly not the first person in the public eye to plagiarise and he will not be the last.  Why did his case create so much attention? He was Germany’s most glamorous politician and brought his party a lot of voters in the elections. He was dangerous to the opposition and many thought he would be the next chancellor candidate. Until recently, he had a perfect image and family life. Critics now say he was leading a life with double moral standards – claiming to have values and principles but also plagiarising in his doctoral thesis. “He of all people, a person who appeared to perfectly embody conservative values, violated them.” Those values, were “truthfulness, credibility, setting an example, pride in one’s own achievements, respect for the intellectual property of others, and many other values that go far beyond the world of academia”. (Spiegel 2011)  Chancellor Merkel tried to defend Guttenberg arguing that he was a defence minister not a research assistant. “Merkel has not only disgraced herself in front of Germany’s academic elite. She has done nothing less than abandon the conservative foundation of values. She has lost her moral compass.” (Spiegel 2011) Prof Weber-Wulff is a German Professor and an expert in plagiarism. She thinks that the root of the problem is Germany’s employment requirements. The very best companies will not employ someone without a doctorate for certain positions and that creates a lot of pressure. Ultimately it encourages people to get their PhD for the wrong reason: “In recent case studies [on plagiarism] we’ve noticed students saying, ‘Yeah? What’s the problem?’ They’re missing out on the point of education. They just think they have to have a degree, and Germany is so completely focused on this. People don’t care if they have the associated skills, they just have to have the degree. This is a very German problem, because in the US, for example, if you have the skills and no degree, it’s fine. But in Germany you must have that piece of paper. People just go through the motions to get it.” (The Local 2011) Prof. Dr. Dr. Theisen is fighting plagiarism for over 20 years. He believes that people, like Guttenberg, today more than ever, write a doctorate to be part of an elite society. Last but not least I want to include a voice that represents a large part of Germany’s population. Hermann Bauer is one of the 74% in support of Guttenberg. Bauer believes that 80% of all doctoral theses in Germany will have elements of plagiarism in them, when analysed with the same degree of detail than Guttenberg’s thesis received. (Appendix) Someone like Bauer highlights the existence of double moral standards and why the requirement for doctor titles in Germany has become unrealistic. Guttenberg has resigned and Germany is still in disagreement about his departure. Many believe it was unfair and unnecessary for him to resign but others think that this was the least he deserved for plagiarising. Right now he is awaiting a criminal trial for his plagiarism offence. In the mean time his beautiful wife has braved their critics and is continuing to raise awareness in charitable efforts. But no matter what us Germans think and want for Guttenberg, one thing is for sure, Guttenberg will be back eventually and when he is he will be bigger than ever.

Tagged: germany, guttenberg, plagiarising

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