Das Hochschulwesen zwischen föderalem Kartell und internationalem Wettbewerb

摘要

The reform of Germany's federal system, which has passed Parliament in July 2006, will put almost the whole educational system into the responsibility of the states (Laender). From a legal point of view, this could enable every single state to start a competition about the best academics, the best students, the richest investors etc. However, it is unlikely, that this will happen. Having longed for a united nation state from the middle of the 17th to the end of the 19th century, Germans, like the French, have a deeply rooted desire for uniform conditions of living. This will prevent politicians from letting differences between the regions become too big also as far as universities are concerned. On the other hand, there are doubts, whether "federal competition" could be the solution to the requirements, universities face under the conditions of globalization. Some years ago, state legislators throughout the country, have begun to shape their universities according to the model of economic companies, implementing managerial methods and top down instruments of leadership. Without having a longer perspective than a legislature period lasts, they neglect the rationalities of science. It worsens things, that to some extent they envy and distrust professors. Against this background, there is a serious risk that the actual trend in educational politics will ruin, what has been left of functioning structures in German universities after the 30 years of underfinancing and constant ideologically inspired reforms. But there is some hope that the constitutional reform will enable at least one state to restrain from that Zeitgeist - dependence and to concentrate on the task to provide for working and teaching conditions that will enable its universities to succeed.