US billionaires' donations unimaginable in Europe

In the US, 40 billionaires promised on Wednesday to donate half of their riches, whether during their lifetimes or at death, to charitable causes. The liberal Financial Times Deutschland could never imagine anything similar happening in Germany: "In the US, upward mobility and wealth are part of the 'American Dream'. Those who make it to the top are admired and at the same time they feel duty-bound to give back some of their money in the form of charity. Because this usually happens in public, the generosity also wins additional admiration for the donor. In Continental Europe - especially in Germany - the state is traditionally responsible for the public well-being. The state takes on the task of redistribution through taxes and social security. Not only the poor, but also the rich depend on it. Many of them feel they have fulfilled their social duty simply by paying taxes and fees. ... The idea of charity must be carefully promoted in Germany. And a first step might be a more relaxed attitude towards wealth."

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