Chatting with Julia Jäkel: "Our State's Outdated - It's Time for a Reboot"
- by Niksette
- ≈ 5 Min
Rapid global changes leave our state lagging, according to Julia Jäkel. - Rapid global changes call for more than our current state, according to Julia Jäkel.
Three heavyweights in German politics and business have teamed up to tackle the country's complacent political landscape. Among them is Julia Jäkel, the former CEO of Gruner + Jahr, publisher of Stern and Capital. She's no stranger to reform, leading the Future Council for the overhaul of public broadcasting last year. In this candid chat, she discusses the Initiative for an Effective State's objectives, her take on archaic structures and stifling bureaucracy, and her proposals for a much-needed refresh.
Julia, what's the issue your initiative aims to solve?
Our state is seen as increasingly out of touch with citizens' needs. The world has changed rapidly - our state has not. This is a growing worry for our democracy. So, it's high time we address the structural issues. It's not about a single government's incompetence. Fundamental structures have not changed enough over years. Sociologist Steffen Mau called this "attrition damage," likened to a slow-leaking pipe that eventually bursts wall.
So, how dire is the situation?
Let's say the handyman's on call. The volatile global political climate does have one positive side - the urgency is clear. We need to take matters into our own hands. That's why my fellow co-founders and I have put together a team of experts to develop solutions. We're non-partisan, focused on action rather than interest-mongering. Enough with the talk – it's time for action. I believe the people are tired of empty promises.
One of your topics is bureaucratic red tape. Many citizens and businesses find it unbearable, making the state appear ineffective. What's the reason for this?
There are several factors at play here. first, we try to resolve irreconcilable conflicts with laws, rush them through parliament, and then expect citizens and businesses to comply. We demand fair treatment for every individual case, which makes regulations burdensome and complex. Practitioners and users should have been involved earlier in the law-making process. Governments also need to trust officials more, giving them more autonomy to make decisions. Lastly, our federal system needs streamlining to achieve clear governance.
Have attempts to clear the bureaucratic jungle already been made? Yes, but a single law focused on classical bureaucratic reduction won't solve the problem. Fundamental progress requires changes at the root. This means a more practice-oriented legislative process, a different standardization approach, trusting citizens and entrepreneurs more, fewer reporting and documentation requirements, but harsher sanctions for misconduct, and a cultural shift in administration. All this based on a digital state, which we currently lack.
Are previous attempts at bureaucratic reduction not comprehensive enough? In essence, yes. Most efforts only work within the existing system, making the impact limited. Some federal states are taking significant action, but it's mostly due to lack of political will overall. We propose a Digitalization and Administration Ministry that will drive constant change and orchestrate an administrative reform to promote a more progressive personnel development. Germany's 70% dissatisfied with the state's effectiveness – something drastic needs to change.
Many people also demand regulations. No law comes without reason, and behind each rule, there's an interest group that would object to its repeal. You're correct. Therefore, we must clarify political conflicts of interest more decisively, avoiding overly complex legislation as a substitute. The parties have realized that things can't continue like this, but we all need to do our part.
What does that mean? It means we need to question whether we want the state to be heavily involved in our lives or if we trust in individual responsibility. Some things might not be handled perfectly, but that's the price for freedom. A simple example: a butcher who's bogged down by reporting requirements for transporting meat. Perhaps we should simply issue a ban to ensure the food is safe. If a food poisoning incident occurs, the shop can be closed for months, and customers will go elsewhere. However, German society might have to accept this change.
Are we moving away from the German "insurance mentality"? Exactly. We've become experts in this. Also, in the "individual case justice" – trying to make things perfectly fair for everyone. What we need: flat rates, simplicity.
Why are you optimistic that your initiative won't end up like other commissions whose suggestions gather dust? We've primarily focused on bureaucratic reduction here, but it's just one piece of a larger puzzle. We've deliberately excluded active politicians and interest representatives from our working groups. The President of Germany is our patron, so we're not taking things lightly. But more importantly, the pressure is different now compared to five or ten years ago. The urgency is undeniable – the world is watching as democracy faces challenges. We have the means to help ourselves – if we can summon the will for drastic reforms, I'm not worried.
Bye, Capital
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- Julia Jäkel
- Bureaucracy
- Reforms Required
- The Commission, with Julia Jäkel among its members, has been tasked to propose a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the widespread concerns about outdated structures and ineffective state policies.
- In the digital age, politicians like Steffen Mau and Julia Jäkel are calling for a comprehensive administrative reform, proposing the establishment of a Digitalization and Administration Ministry to drive constant change and promote progressive personnel development.
- As the world undergoes significant changes, politicians must reconsider their approach to regulation and bureaucracy, moving away from the overly complex legislation and the "insurance mentality" that has long defined the German political landscape, and embracing a simpler, more practice-oriented legislative process that empowers citizens and businesses.
