Washington (CNN) -- Once again, a swelling chorus is calling on Germany to finally take action. "Start the engines, Angela," reads the colorful headline of a piece whose authors seem to assume that Chancellor Merkel commands the horsepower to save the euro, save the British and American recoveries, and -- as a throw-in -- save the Obama presidency. If only the Germans showed more leadership and found it in them to roll out "decisive policies," argues Harvard historian Charles Maier, the everlasting eurocrisis could be ended. It is true that Germany is the pivot in the euro game. Nothing happens if Germany does not consent. But the reverse is not true. If Germany wants something, it does not necessarily happen. That's where the problem of German leadership starts.
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Many are callling on Germany to lead effort to rescue the Euro
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Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff says there are limits to what Germany can do, given scope of problem
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He says Germany is too big to be just another nation but too small to dominate the continent
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Author: Angela Merkel has taken positive steps to strengthen Euro, but needs help from others
Germans
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Among @placeholder, this experience has produced an ingrained skepticism toward the notion of German dominance, even if it comes in the form of a benevolent hegemony, based on the consent of the neighbors and transfer of wealth to them.
Germans
German
Among Germans, this experience has produced an ingrained skepticism toward the notion of @placeholder dominance, even if it comes in the form of a benevolent hegemony, based on the consent of the neighbors and transfer of wealth to them.
Germans
German
The @placeholder economy accounts for only 27% of the eurozone's output.
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
They mistake strategy for passivity and a realistic assessment of @placeholder's wealth and power for stingy disciplinarianism.
Germans
German
With the crisis coming to a head, the @placeholder approach will be put to the ultimate test.
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
@placeholder may be a reluctant leader, but its followers are even more reluctant.