tapmag

Why do Transatlantic Issues Matter?

50 years ago, nobody ever asked that question. Transatlantic relations had the utmost relevance in the sphere of political exchange. A GI on a street in Germany was a common sight, Kennedy called Berlin the island of freedom, which was to be defended against communism.

Today, the American vision of democracy is blurred and contested. The American ideal is under attack, from both within and outside the US. The main focus of international relationships for Germany now lies within the borders of the European Union. The balance of power has shifted.

Still, common grounds remain, the two unions are bound in a schicksalsgemeinschaft. We seek out the shared values and beliefs that bind together European and the American society. What unites us, what divides us? We take a closer look at the realities, the visions of society and the unspoken assumptions about the transatlantic counterpart.

tapmag comments on contemporary issues of political, cultural and social relevance, that define the transatlantic relation of our time. By that, we hope to illustrate the ongoing importance of these relations to our generation.