In three years, our vocabulary has changed. Then we used words like 'a divided Germany'. There was a 'Berlin Wall', a 'Cold War'. There were phrases: 'Evil Empire', 'the Communist threat'. There was always 'political asylum': 'dissidents' were welcomed. But what are our key words now? the New Germany the Extreme Right neo-Nazi Asylum seeker Hostel Ausl�nder Raus! Foreigners out! Rostock. Who, even nine months ago, had heard of Rostock? M�lln, and the three murdered Turks, including the ten-year-old Yeliz Arslan. What is it about the German people that produces a nation so - what? So ugly. So dangerous. So predictable. In the most comprehensive investigation of its kind, this special issue of Granta sets out to find the uncomfortable answer to this simple question: what is the new Germany?
