In essence what happened yesterday in Germany was more or less foreshadowed in my post last week about the reluctance of Europeans used to their social-democracies to make a clear break with the welfare states they have become used to. Germany, France, Sweden, and yes Canada, all are good examples of countries that are essentially unable to really embrace the offerings of an Anglo-Saxon menu for change. That is also why it is so difficult for conservatives and free-marketeers to campaign effectively in these nations: they’re up against entrenched attitudes, a population that is often too dependent on government employment and subsidies, a hostile media environment and also their own inability to phrase a compelling message in that particular environment.

Take a look at these two maps of Germany: how it votes, where it is unemployed. And now ask yourself, here is a daughter of that economic wasteland called East Germany, where freedom and generous government support have - over a period of some fifteen years - not delivered what all Germans were hoping for. Why has Angela Merkel not been able to convert this economic malaise in her home turf into a resounding win?

We’ll have plenty of answers and analysis in the weeks ahead, including some assessments of Merkel's ability as a political leader. For now I stake my case on that potent mix of hanging on to what you believe is the safety net of a generous social-democracy and rejecting the chance of a better tomorrow for the route to it could be just a little too bumpy.