After World War I, Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses. Despite being in a weakened position, German negotiators insisted on a detailed, point-by-point examination of each clause, challenging the fairness of the reparations. They employed a structured, fact-based approach, attempting to justify why certain demands were excessive. The treaty’s severe terms were perceived as a violation of the principle of fairness in agreements – a lasting grievance in the German psyche.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)
The U.S. and Mexico negotiated the end of the Mexican-American War, with Mexico ceding large territories in exchange for financial compensation. American negotiators pushed for rapid closure, emphasizing immediate gains over long-term stability, a hallmark of American deal-making.
U.S. Cities With the Friendliest Neighbors
From Florida to Hawaii, these cities take care of each other.
Do you have good neighbors? While some people out there barely see or speak to the people dwelling in the next house or apartment, there are some places in the U.S. where community and neighborliness is paramount.
A recent Housing and Urban Development study showed that while neighborhood crime rates are lower in the U.S. than they’ve ever been before, strong community bonds are closely associated with safe neighborhoods where people have a sense of community well-being.
So, where can you find these safe, friendly neighborhoods? A storage company called Neighbor, which is basically the Airbnb of storage companies, recently analyzed and compiled a list of the top 25 cities that pride themselves on looking out for each other, doing favors for one another, and generally acting like good neighbors in a traditional sense.
USA – Rich vs Poor
Infographics on the distribution of wealth in America, highlighting both the inequality and the difference between our perception of inequality and the actual numbers. The reality is often not what we think it is.
YouTube comments:
“Campaign finance reform is the solution. Until we elect people who arnt brought and paid for nothing will change.”
Two success stories
Warren Buffett shares two stories about women who started from nothing and sold their businesses to the legendary investor. This is one of the greatest speeches Mr. Buffett has ever delivered and he also gives really good advice to all entrepreneurs in the audience.
Warren E. Buffett is an American long-term investor, philanthropist, business tycoon, and the chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is considered one of the most successful investors in the world and has a net worth of over 100 billion dollars.
Buffett was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He developed an interest in business and investing in his youth and made truly incredible stock market returns over his career.
verbal vs. written
In the United States, a verbal agreement can be legally binding under certain circumstances. Contract law in the U.S. is governed by state laws as well as the principles outlined in the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and common law precedents. For a verbal agreement to be legally enforceable, it must meet specific criteria, including offer and acceptance, consideration, and mutual intent to enter into a binding agreement. However, the enforceability of verbal agreements can vary based on the nature and value of the agreement.
Certain types of agreements, however, must be in writing to be legally enforceable. This requirement is based on the Statute of Frauds, which mandates that certain contracts must be in writing to prevent fraud and misunderstandings. Examples of such agreements include contracts involving the sale of real estate, agreements that cannot be performed within one year, contracts for the sale of goods valued over a certain amount as specified by the UCC, and agreements to pay someone else’s debt.
While verbal agreements are generally enforceable, proving the existence and specific terms of such agreements can be challenging. Courts may require clear and convincing evidence to substantiate a verbal contract. Testimonies, witness statements, and other forms of corroborative evidence can be considered, but the lack of written documentation often complicates enforcement.
Culturally, Americans may be more open to negotiating and entering into verbal agreements than in some other countries. However, in business and legal contexts, written contracts are typically preferred to minimize ambiguities and provide a tangible record of the agreed terms. While the law may recognize verbal agreements as binding, written agreements remain the standard practice, particularly in high-value transactions or complex contractual arrangements.
Volunteerism and US Civil Society
Everyone in the public and nonprofit sectors has a role to play in fostering volunteerism, and engagement can pay dividends for all.
As a former public sector leader now working in the social sector, I have witnessed the tremendous impact volunteerism has on American society—on both the people providing social services and the people receiving them.
These altruistic interactions often serve a broader purpose: They bond together neighbors and communities in a common cause, and enable us to see and appreciate each other’s humanity.
When we recognize the humanity in each other, we lay the foundations of understanding, empathy, and compassion. These then form the building blocks of a healthy civil society in which citizens are more likely to focus on what unites us than what divides us.
walk away
“We can always walk away.” This direct statement illustrates the American logic that participation in an agreement is voluntary and can be ended if it no longer serves one’s interests.
Walk-Away Point
The American term Walk-Away Point conveys the concept of the moment one leaves the negotiation. It is culturally significant because decisiveness and clear boundaries are seen as signs of self-confidence.
What Happened in Chattanooga?
2014. The recent vote by workers in a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee to decline representation by the United Auto Workers union (UAW) highlights the differences in labor policies between the United States and Germany.
With American union membership on the decline, this was the first time that the UAW attempted to represent workers in a foreign company in over a decade, and its failure sets a precedent for the future of unions in the American South.
Looking to its successes in Germany and elsewhere, Volkswagen was in favor of creating a German-style “works council” in Chattanooga that, due to American labor laws, would require the UAW to represent workers’ interests.
This was met with mixed reviews. In particular, workers worried that voting for union representation would scare away production of a new model of SUV, despite VW’s assurances that the UAW vote would have no effect on the decision to manufacture the SUV in Chattanooga. Politics also played a role in the outcome.
In the politically conservative South, several Tennessee government officials, with the help of anti-union action committees, were able to lead a successful campaign against the union. Some lawmakers warned that VW might not receive new tax incentives to expand in the state if the UAW was successful at the VW plant.
Furthermore, many workers were reportedly happy with current wages, felt that the company treated them well, and did not want the union to damage or muddy that dynamic. The vote has left Volkswagen still looking for a way to create a works council, even without the UAW.