[Annotated] The three pillars of Merkelism

These distinctions^[각주:1] explain both the chancellor's strengths^[각주:2] and her weaknesses^[각주:3]

Angela Merkel is the longest-serving head of government in the EU. When she became chancellor, in 2005, her international counterparts^[각주:4] were George W Bush, Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac. She became leader of the CDU during the Clinton administration. Yet after all this time, she remains a conundrum to many^[각주:5]. Der Spiegel has called her as inscrutable^[각주:6] "sphinxes, divas and queens". 

It is not hard to see why. The chancellor's record^[각주:7] is seemingly^[각주:8] one of contradictions^[각주:9]: the center-right politician who let in 1.2m immigrants, the "new leader of the free world^[각주:10]" whose name is a byword for^[각주:11] inaction^[각주:12] (literally, in the German neologism^[각주:13] "to merkel"), the liberal hero who voted against^[각주:14] gay marriage. Mrs Merkel's tendency to^[각주:15] vague, even cryptic^[각주:16], language - which I recently discussed on this blog - further adds to the mystery. 

This week's print edition of The Economist contains my briefing on^[각주:17] the chancellor, her governing style^[각주:18] and her role in^[각주:19] Germany and the world. The process of researching and writing it involved attending several of^[각주:20] Mrs Merkel's live events, talking to colleagues, confidants^[각주:21] and opponents, and looking back over her political career^[각주:22]. I came out of it with the conclusion that three distinctions mark the chancellor^[각주:23] and unlock^[각주:24] her apparent contradictions. She is:

Ethical^[각주:25], not ideological^[각주:26]. 

Her Lutheran faith^[각주:27] ("an inner^[각주:28] compass", she calls it) expresses itself in her unflashy^[각주:29] style and her instincts: debt is bad; helping the needy^[각주:30], good. She thinks ethically^[각주:31], not ideologically. "I'm a bit liberal, a bit Christian-social, a bit conservative," she said in 2009. For Konstantin Richter, whose novel "The Chancellor" imagines her inner life^[각주:32], her distrust of^[각주:33] ideology is rooted in^[각주:34] her experience of East Germany: "She witnessed ideology collapse and believers turn into non-believers^[각주:35] overnight^[각주:36]." 

Reactive^[각주:37], not programmatic^[각주:38]. 

She manages events as they arise^[각주:39] rather than hatching^[각주:40] long-term plans^[각주:41]. "She works like a scientist: she reads lots, assesses^[각주:42] the facts and doesn't have preconceptions^[각주:43]," observes Jens Spahn, her CDU colleague and deputy finance minister^[각주:44]. She monitors events and mood-shifts^[각주:45] in a constant exchange of text messages with aides^[각주:46], officials and MPs^[각주:47]. In her campaigning Mrs Merkel invites voters to endorse^[각주:48] her temperament^[각주:49], not specific proposals^[각주:50]. Her message: I will handle such dramas^[각주:51] as cross my desk calmly^[각주:52], rationally and without anything so distracting^[각주:53] as a project. 

Detached^[각주:54], not engaged. 

Mrs Merkel keeps her options open and strives never to rile^[각주:55] or polarize^[각주:56]. Her sentences are paper-chains of subclauses and qualifications. East Germany's paranoid and hyper-surveilled society and Helmut Kohl's patriarchal CDU taught her the virtues of ambiguity and patience. At a recent rally in the northern city of Bremen protesters heckled^[각주:57], kazooed^[각주:58] and klaxoned^[각주:59] the chancellor. Barely audible^[각주:60], she ploughed^[각주:61] on unruffled^[각주:62]: "Some have decided to spend the next four years yelling," she ad-libbed^[각주:63] with a shrug^[각주:64] and a smile. She employs^[각주:65] similar putdowns^[각주:66] - calm but gently mocking - at international summits. 

None of these is innately^[각주:67] good or bad. As I go onto explain in the briefing^[각주:68], the creditable^[각주:69] aspects of Mrs Merkel's chancellorship^[각주:70] - the stability, the pragmatism^[각주:71], the fundamental decency^[각주:72] - might be less pronounced under^[각주:73] a more ideological, programmatic^[각주:74] and engaged leader. Yet they also undergird^[각주:75] the qualifications with which The Economist endorsed her for a fourth term this week: though she has administered^[각주:76] Germany's "golden age" well, the leader argues, Mrs Merkel has not yet adequately^[각주:77] prepared it for a demanding^[각주:78] future.

This poses a big question^[각주:79]: can she adapt^[각주:80] in office? In what will probably be her final term, can a chancellor of 12 years shift^[각주:81], somewhat at least, the balance of her own constitution^[각주:82]? It is sometimes said that the longer a political leader stays in office^[각주:83], the closer she cleaves to^[각주:84] her essential traits^[각주:85]; the closer she grows to her caricature. The difference between an alright Merkel legacy^[각주:86] and a great one will probably be measured in^[각주:87] her ability to defy^[각주:88] this rule. 

1. distinction ; 1. [C] ~ (between A and B) (특히 비슷하거나 관련이 있는 것들 사이의 뚜렷한) 차이[대조] [본문으로]
2. strength ; 6. ADVANTAGE | [C] 강점, 장점 [본문으로]
3. weakness ; 2. [C] 약점 [본문으로]
4. counterpart ; [명사] (다른 장소나 상황에서 어떤 사람・사물과 동일한 지위나 기능을 갖는) 상대, 대응 관계에 있는 사람[것] [본문으로]
5. conundrum ; 1. 난문제 2. 수수께끼 [본문으로]
6. inscrutable ; [형용사] (사람・표정이) 불가해한[헤아리기 어려운] ;; US·UK [ɪn|skru:təbl] [본문으로]
7. record ; 4. OF SB/STH’S PAST | [sing.] ~ (on sth) (과거의 행동・공적 등을 보여주는) 기록, 경력, 전력 ;; 참고 ; track record [본문으로]
8. seemingly ; 1. 외견상으로, 겉보기에는 [본문으로]
9. contradiction ; 2. [U , C] 반박; 반대되는 말 [본문으로]
10. free world ; [the ~; 종종 F- W-] (공산 세계와 대비된) 자유세계, 자유진영 [본문으로]
11. byword ; [주로 단수로] 1. a ~ for sth (특정한 자질의) 전형[대명사] [본문으로]
12. inaction ; [U] (보통 못마땅함) 활동 부족; 무대책 [본문으로]
13. neologism ; [명사] (격식) 신조어, 새로운 표현[의미] ;; US [ni|ɑ:lədƷɪzəm] UK [ni|ɒlədƷɪzəm] [본문으로]
14. vote against ; ~에 반대투표를 하다 [본문으로]
15. tendency to ; ~하는 경향 [본문으로]
16. cryptic ; [형용사] 수수께끼 같은, 아리송한 [본문으로]
17. a briefing on ; …에 대한 요약 보고. [본문으로]
18. governing style ; 통치 방식 [본문으로]
19. a role in ; …에 있어서의 역할. [본문으로]
20. several ; [한정사-대명사] (몇)몇의 [본문으로]
21. confidant ; [명사] 여성형 also con・fi・dante (비밀도 털어놓는 절친한) 친구 ;; US [|kɑ:nfɪdӕnt] UK [|kɒnfɪdӕnt;|kɒnfɪ|dɑ:nt] [본문으로]
22. look back over one's career ; 자기가 걸어온 길을 돌아보다 [본문으로]
23. mark ; 7. GIVE PARTICULAR QUALITY | [타동사][VN] [주로 수동태로] ~ sb/sth (as sth) (격식) 특징[성격] 짓다 [본문으로]
24. unlock ; 2. (비밀 등을) 드러내다 [본문으로]
25. ethical ; 2. 도덕적으로 옳은, 도덕적인 [본문으로]
26. ideological ; [형용사] 사상적인, 이념적인 [본문으로]
27. Lutheran ; [명사] 루터 교도(16세기 독일 종교 지도자 마틴 루터(Martin Luther)의 가르침을 따르는 교회의 일원) [본문으로]
28. inner ; 2. (감정 등이) 내밀한; 내면의 [본문으로]
29. unflashy ; (형용사) 과시를 통해서 주목을 받지 않으려고 하는; 절제된, 우아한. (not seeking attention through ostentation; restrained or tasteful.) [본문으로]
30. needy ; (need・ier , needi・est) 1. (사람이) (경제적으로) 어려운, 궁핍한 2. [pl.] the needy 어려운[궁핍한] 사람들 3. (사람이) 자신감이 없는, 애정에 굶주린 [본문으로]
31. ethically ; 1. 윤리(학)적으로 [본문으로]
32. inner life ; 정신[영적] 생활, 내면 세계 [본문으로]
33. distrust ; [U , sing.] ~ (of sb/sth) 불신(감) [본문으로]
34. be rooted in ; …에 원인이 있다; …에 뿌리박고 있다 [본문으로]
35. turn into ; ~으로 변하다 [본문으로]
36. overnight ; 2. 하룻밤 사이에, 갑자기, 빨리 [본문으로]
37. reactive ; 1. (격식) 반응[반작용]을 보이는 ;; 참고 ; proactive [본문으로]
38. programmatic ; [형용사] (주로 명사 앞에 씀) (격식) 계획[프로그램]의, 계획에 따른 [본문으로]
39. arise ; (arose / ə'rəUz ; 美 ə'roUz / , arisen / ə'rIzn /), [v] 1. (비교적 격식) (특히 문제나 곤란한 상황이) 생기다, 발생하다 [본문으로]
40. hatch ; 4. [타동사][VN] ~ sth (up) (특히 비밀리에 계획 등을) 만들어 내다 [본문으로]
41. long-term plan ; 장기계획 [본문으로]
42. assess ; 1. ~ sb/sth (as sth) (특성・자질 등을) 재다[가늠하다] [본문으로]
43. preconception ; [C , U] [주로 복수로] 예상 ;; 참고 ; misconception [본문으로]
44. deputy finance minister ; 경제 부총리, 기획 재정부 차관. [본문으로]
45. shift ; 1. CHANGE | [C] ~ (in sth) (위치・입장・방향의) 변화 ;; 참고 ; paradigm shift [본문으로]
46. aide ; [명사] 보좌관 [본문으로]
47. MP ; [명사] 하원 의원(Member of Parliament) [본문으로]
48. invite ; 2. ~ sb (to/for sth) | ~ sth (from sb) (격식) (정식으로) 요청하다[청하다] [본문으로]
49. temperament ; 1. [C , U] 기질 [본문으로]
50. proposal ; 1. [C , U] ~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that…) 제안, 제의 [본문으로]
51. drama ; 3. [C] 극적인 사건, 드라마 (같은 일) [본문으로]
52. calmly ; [부사] 고요히; 침착하게, 태연하게 [본문으로]
53. distracting ; [형용사] 마음을 산란케 하는; 미칠 것 같은 [본문으로]
54. detached ; 3. (호감) 사심 없는, 공정한 [본문으로]
55. rile ; [동사] (사람을) 귀찮게[짜증나게] 하다 ;; US·UK [raɪl] [본문으로]
56. polarize ; 1. 양극화되다; 양극화를 초래하다 [본문으로]
57. heckle ; [동사] (공적인 회의에서 발표자를) 방해하다, 야유를 퍼붓다 [본문으로]
58. kazoo ; [verb] to play the kazoo. [본문으로]
59. klaxon ; 1. (intransitive) To produce a loud, siren-like wail. [본문으로]
60. audible ; [형용사] 잘 들리는 [본문으로]
61. plough ; [동사] 쟁기로 갈다[일구다] ;; US·UK [plaʊ] [본문으로]
62. unruffle ; 1. (마음)을 진정시키다, 가라앉히다. 2. (주름살 따위)를 펴다. 3. 진정되다; 펴지다. [본문으로]
63. ad-lib ; [동사] -bb- (연설・연기 등을) 즉흥적으로 하다, 애드리브로 하다 ;; 콩글리시가 아니라 실제로 사용하는 표현임을 확인 [본문으로]
64. shrug ; [명사] the movement of raising and contracting the shoulders. ;; 동사가 아니라 명사로 활용한것을 확인 [본문으로]
65. employ ; 2. [타동사][VN] (격식) (기술・방법 등을) 쓰다[이용하다] [본문으로]
66. putdown ; [명사] (비격식) 사람을 바보로 만드는[깔아뭉개는] 말 [본문으로]
67. innately ; [부사] 타고나서, 천부적으로; 본질적으로; <철학> 본유적으로. [본문으로]
68. briefing ; 1. [C] 브리핑(정보나 지시를 전달하는 회의) ;; 참고 ; debriefing [본문으로]
69. creditable ; (격식) 1. (수준이) 칭찬할 만한 [본문으로]
70. chancellorship ; [U] chancellor의 직[지위, 임기] [본문으로]
71. pragmatism ; [U] (격식) 실용주의 [본문으로]
72. decency ; [U] 체면, 품위 [본문으로]
73. pronounce ; 2. (격식을 차려서・공식/공개적으로) 표명[선언/선고]하다 [본문으로]
74. programmatic ; [형용사] (주로 명사 앞에 씀) (격식) 계획[프로그램]의, 계획에 따른 [본문으로]
75. undergird ; [타동사] …의 밑을 단단하게 묶다; 뒷받침하다 ;; US.UK [ʌ̀ndərɡə́:rd] [본문으로]
76. administer ; [vn] 1. [흔히 수동태로] (회사・조직・국가 등을) 관리하다[운영하다] [본문으로]
77. adequately ; [부사] 충분히, 적절히; 그만그만하게, 평범하게 [본문으로]
78. demanding ; 힘든, 벅찬, 어려운 [본문으로]
79. pose[raise, present, address, put] a question ; 문제를 내다, 의문을 제기하다. 질문을 던지다 [본문으로]
80. adapt ; 2. ~ (yourself) (to sth) (상황에) 적응하다 [본문으로]
81. shift ; 2. PERIOD OF WORK | [C] 교대 근무 (시간) ;; 참고 ; swing shift [본문으로]
82. constitution ; 3. [U , C] (격식) 구조 [본문으로]
83. stay in office ; 재직하다, 정권을 잡다 [본문으로]
84. cleave to ; …을 고수하다. [본문으로]
85. trait ; [명사] (성격상의) 특성 [본문으로]
86. legacy ; 2. (과거의) 유산 [본문으로]
87. be measured ; 측정되다 [본문으로]
88. defy ; 반항하다, 대들다, 도전하다, 무시하다, 맞서다 [본문으로]