>I don't think Germanic culture has yet figured out the art of embracing failure. I don't think this is quite true. If I fail my business, I'm liable to some e

>I don't think Germanic culture has yet figured out the art of embracing failure. I don't think this is quite true. If I fail my business, I'm liable to some extend for it. I could loose huge sums of money but I also have the reassurance that the social safety net will prevent the worst. Plus, if worst comes to worst, I can declare personal bankcruptcy, which allows me to manage my debts without loosing my entire incoming and going out debt free at the end of a couple years (7 if I'm recall correctly) >The state decides who goes to uni and not by the time you're a young teen The state does not. The uni does. What counts are your grades when you finish previous schools, ie, you well you did in education and that only when there are more student applications than they have room for. There are certainly kids of poor families too, many grants, even government ones, allow anyone to go to university without worrying too much about money. >Uni is 'free' but they send fewer kids there. It should be noted that the base level compared to the US is higher and the german school system specifically is focused on getting kids into a job as soon as possible and with the lowest failure rate possible.