A recent survey commissioned by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion reveals that nearly two-thirds of Germans have the impression that state regulation is continuously increasing and that the government is becoming more involved in the personal freedom of citizens. This figure is significantly higher than ten years ago, when only slightly less than half of the population held this view.
Regarding the role of citizens, a substantial minority reported a sense of self-criticism. Fifty-eight percent of respondents agreed with the statement that they, as citizens, have relied too heavily on the state to take care of everything and require a renewed focus on personal responsibility, while 22 percent disagreed.
On specific policy issues, the vast majority of participants expressed a preference for less governmental regulation and more optional solutions. When asked about the working life, only 20 percent viewed comprehensive regulation as appropriate. Similarly, only 26 percent supported regulating pensions or the use of social media.
The study was conducted in person from July 3 to July 16, and surveyed 1,040 individuals aged 16 and older.
