--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We need a big debate in society about how…" description: "\"We need a big debate in society about how we are going to shape Europe and tame capitalism. A government must provide direction and make concrete propo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/martin-schulz-2953_capitalism_we-need-a-big-debate-in-society-about-ho_2821953.jpg" --- # We need a big debate in society about how we are going to… ![“We need a big debate in society about how we are going to shape Europe and tame capitalism. A government must provide direction and make concrete proposals. It is one of Angela Merkel's biggest failings that she doesn't do this.” quote by Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/martin-schulz-2953_capitalism_we-need-a-big-debate-in-society-about-ho_2821953.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/martin-schulz-2953_capitalism_we-need-a-big-debate-in-society-about-ho_2821953.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/martin-schulz-2953_capitalism_we-need-a-big-debate-in-society-about-ho_2821953.jpg) > “We need a big debate in society about how we are going to shape Europe and tame capitalism. A government must provide direction and make concrete proposals. It is one of Angela Merkel's biggest failings that she doesn't do this.” [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calls for a bold debate on shaping Europe and regulating capitalism, criticizing Merkel’s lack of direction. **In simple terms:** Urgent debate on Europe’s future and capitalism. Key Takeaway Engage in civic discourse for reform. Themes politics economics leadership Mood urgent concerned Type political activist When to use this quote - elections - public forums - legislative drafting - activism Key Concepts policy making democratic participation capitalist critique Questions to Reflect On - What reforms are needed? - How can citizens influence policy? A Different Perspective Complexity may oversimplify issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angela-merkel/) [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Capitalism Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism-government-1069645/) [Concrete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concrete/) [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [German](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/german/) [Proposal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proposal/) [Proposals Angela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proposals-angela-3597457/) [Shape Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shape-europe-3597455/) [Tame Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tame-capitalism-3597456/) ## Related quotes > [Perhaps I am following in the footsteps of François Mitterrand, who really did want to shape Europe. My predecessors, by contrast, thought it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-macron/perhaps-i-am-following-in-the-footsteps-of-fran-ois-mitterrand-who/) [Emmanuel Macron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-macron/) > [The bureaucratic nature of both capitalism and our government assures us that there are no checks and balances when it comes to justifying any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tripp-york/the-bureaucratic-nature-of-both-capitalism-and-our-government-assures/) [Tripp York](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tripp-york/) > [If you aren't talking to your kids about socialism, someone else is. So use car time, dinner time, tax preparation time, and time spent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/if-you-aren-t-talking-to-your-kids-about-socialism-someone-else-is-so/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [There are self-styled "anarcho-capitalists" (not to be confused with anarchists of any persuasion), who want the state abolished as a regulator of capitalism, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rooum/there-are-self-styled-anarcho-capitalists-not-to-be-confused-with/) [Donald Rooum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rooum/) > [A properly functioning free market system does not spring spontaneously from society's soil as crabgrass springs from suburban lawns. Rather, it is a complex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/a-properly-functioning-free-market-system-does-not-spring/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [Keeping quiet and letting the others do the talking. That may be Angela Merkel's method, but it's not mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/keeping-quiet-and-letting-the-others-do-the-talking-that-may-be/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [CDU head Angela Merkel has tried for years to serve two sides: the conservative side by holding up her CDU party membership. But then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/cdu-head-angela-merkel-has-tried-for-years-to-serve-two-sides-the/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The stubborn stance of some European governments on the refugee question is a reprisal less aimed at Angela Merkel or (Vice Chancellor) Sigmar Gabriel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-stubborn-stance-of-some-european-governments-on-the-refugee/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [I spoke with Gerhard Schröder about a lot of things, including foreign policy. Schröder knows how important European policy is to me personally. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/i-spoke-with-gerhard-schr-der-about-a-lot-of-things-including-foreign/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [A joint European army is a very far-reaching proposal and it would be difficult to implement. Such initiatives are nevertheless needed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/a-joint-european-army-is-a-very-far-reaching-proposal-and-it-would-be/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [“Angela Merkel in Private is even more miserable than she looks in Public.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/angela-merkel-in-private-is-even-more-miserable-than-she-looks-in/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [I trust Angela Merkel, she is a very open person. She is also subject to certain constraints and limitations. But she is honestly trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/i-trust-angela-merkel-she-is-a-very-open-person-she-is-also-subject/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [I have respect for leaders who defend the interests of their countries. Angela Merkel policies are positive for Germany, but they are unfortunately harmful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/i-have-respect-for-leaders-who-defend-the-interests-of-their/) [Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/) > [I am glad that Angela Merkel is the German Chancellor, as she tries to combine a sense of responsibility with morality and values. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-tusk/i-am-glad-that-angela-merkel-is-the-german-chancellor-as-she-tries-to/) [Donald Tusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-tusk/) > [Angela Merkel has been focused on the right things. She has focused on the interests of her citizens - and not just in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/angela-merkel-has-been-focused-on-the-right-things-she-has-focused-on/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) ## More by Martin Schulz > [Things are going well in Germany because the economy is booming and as an export-driven nation, we are profiting from the fact that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/things-are-going-well-in-germany-because-the-economy-is-booming-and/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [We have committed ourselves to pursue joint policies, but then national governments say, "We aren't bound by that." That is a dramatic situation, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-have-committed-ourselves-to-pursue-joint-policies-but-then/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [It was clear to me that the White House's solemn atmosphere would not civilize Trump. But the merciless nepotism with which he conducts politics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/it-was-clear-to-me-that-the-white-house-s-solemn-atmosphere-would-not/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [For me, respect is an extremely important political term. Since I began campaigning, it has been at the heart of each of my speeches.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/for-me-respect-is-an-extremely-important-political-term-since-i-began/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [European policy is always an interplay of rationality and emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/european-policy-is-always-an-interplay-of-rationality-and-emotion/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [When it comes to climate protection, the whole world will have to pay the price. But if Donald Trump intends to conclude a trade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/when-it-comes-to-climate-protection-the-whole-world-will-have-to-pay/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The EU is a community of values, not military buildups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-eu-is-a-community-of-values-not-military-buildups/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The old fundamental principles must continue to apply, even in our changing society: Democracy knows neither master nor slave. Equal education opportunities for all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-old-fundamental-principles-must-continue-to-apply-even-in-our/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [I would have oriented myself in case of Donald Trump according to what former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said to then - U.S. President…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/i-would-have-oriented-myself-in-case-of-donald-trump-according-to/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [We are in the middle of a tough, ideological conflict that is being waged across the entire continent. On the one side are those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-are-in-the-middle-of-a-tough-ideological-conflict-that-is-being/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [You have to let the people vote when it comes to a new constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/you-have-to-let-the-people-vote-when-it-comes-to-a-new-constitution/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The share of wealth held by the minority is much greater than the share held by the majority. We have to draw our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-share-of-wealth-held-by-the-minority-is-much-greater-than-the/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [France is ready for a European revolution and it is Germany that is pulling the brakes. For a long time, it was the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/france-is-ready-for-a-european-revolution-and-it-is-germany-that-is/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [Trump believes politics is a staged fight. But it is not. Still, clear words are sometimes needed in politics. In that sense, I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/trump-believes-politics-is-a-staged-fight-but-it-is-not-still-clear/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [Many who have voted for the AfD, or who intend to do so, aren't doing so because they are dyed-in-the-wool enemies of democracy. Rather,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/many-who-have-voted-for-the-afd-or-who-intend-to-do-so-aren-t-doing/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) [Explore all 144 Martin Schulz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) ## More Capitalism quotes > [Don't let's lose sight of what creates wealth. It is open markets, it is capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/don-t-let-s-lose-sight-of-what-creates-wealth-it-is-open-markets-it/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [ Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a \[Soviet socialistic\] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-national-socialism-have-anything/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/) [Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/) > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) [F. 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