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How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

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Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#101

Post by durnygbur »

v77 wrote: post #44

Paul Krugman often rails against German industrial policy vis-a-vis the EU and hits a lot of the same notes in this article. On the other hand, most of the EU countries seem to accept this status quo and many of their citizens end up immigrating to Germany directly or benefiting from the massive EU subsidy regime funded by Germany so there are various forms of wealth re-distribution within the union.

> funded by Germany so there are various forms of wealth re-distribution within the union.

This "re-distribution" feeds an enormous compliance sector in the receiving countries. An useless sector chocking domestic innovation and allowing the politicians to trumpet successes in "receiving the EU grants".

Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#102

Post by TillE »

owenversteeg wrote: post #78
geff82 wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Someone with a regular job can not afford a house close to a major city any more and for sure can not afford any desirable German car. People dress cheaply, buy used cars and many live in frugal appartments, buy in stores that many American or Canadians would consider third world (never ever go buy stuff in an Aldi when you are used to Canadian standards...).

The Aldi is "third world"? What on earth? I personally shop in Lidl, not Aldi, but Lidl is often compared to Aldi, about as popular and occupies the same price segment. And I eat like a king from there! Excellent protected origin cheeses, meats, wines, organic products... Half the time I leave the Lidl I go with a shopping cart that would make an American foodie drool. My most recent purchase there included Manchego…

Look, I like I lot of things about Germany, but the supermarkets here are a joke. There's more product variety in a single Whole Foods in America than there is in the entire combined inventory of all German supermarkets.

Most processed foods (ready meals, frozen pizzas, etc) are also extremely low quality.

Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#103

Post by olivermarks »

gharding wrote: post #98
eecc wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

It really does concern me that the world is gripped utterly ignorant and blinded fools, because everyone will end up having to suffer the consequences of the ever increasing pent up real effects you repress. The laws of physics that dominate all of humanity, including politics, do not care that you wish they did not exist.

I feel very bad your original well argued post was flagged.

Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#104

Post by edoceo »

gharding wrote: post #98
eecc wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

It really does concern me that the world is gripped utterly ignorant and blinded fools, because everyone will end up having to suffer the consequences of the ever increasing pent up real effects you repress. The laws of physics that dominate all of humanity, including politics, do not care that you wish they did not exist.

Name calling is not cool here.

Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#106

Post by durnygbur »

idclip wrote: post #58

Theres a reason the Politics is becoming extreme, the largest economy is simply neglecting its citizens and simply saving a lot. Edit: not trying to troll. Many are thankful, but many are worried aswell. I/we dont consider it difficult to understand. Work hard, save, dont go to wars, its a simple equation, but its not all rosey, and things arent perfect. Many claim this prosperity to be illusory, and fear a harsh cri…

Seeing their elites enjoying themselves on the southern French coast, Italian and Spanish islands, Caribbeans, and wherever else the last thing that comes to mind is that they're "saving a lot". It's more like they decide on whose cost the "saving a lot" will happen - employed taxpayer.

Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#107

Post by Luc »

olivermarks wrote: post #103
gharding wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It really does concern me that the world is gripped utterly ignorant and blinded fools, because everyone will end up having to suffer the consequences of the ever increasing pent up real effects you repress. The laws of physics that dominate all of humanity, including politics, do not care that you wish they did not exist.

I feel very bad your original well argued post was flagged.

The phrasing about genocidal ethnic replacement, polluting water with oil, eradication of the native French etc. etc. didn't set off any alarm bells?

Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#108

Post by [deleted] »

arethuza wrote: post #66
nothis wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Economics in a nutshell: "There must be a single number that explains all of this!" It can't possibly be that Germany actually built its exports based on quality. That can't be replicated by tweaking some tax laws.

A few years back I worked for a large engineering services company (that nobody has ever heard of) and one of the senior managers from Germany described the quality of Mercedes-Benz cars as a "national disgrace" - he was genuinely upset about it.

[deleted]

Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#109

Post by Zenst »

mandevil wrote: post #11
billfruit wrote: post #2

Very informative. Does this imply that Brexit is the rational choice for the UK?

Britain already used its own currency, so they didn't have the same sort of 'Greece and Spain suffering to subsidize German exports' effect going on. So I don't think this particular issue will be different from before Brexit. ETA: It will matter if the City continues to dominate European financial transactions, because it is the tremendous amount of money that goes to the City which keeps the Pound priced above the…

Yes the whole QE of the EURO by the ECB has been most dramatic and artificially kept the EURO competitive for the export market over the import market.

That's one ticking time-bomb that they keep resetting with new QE initiatives, that will have to end soon and suspect BREXIT will offer a wonderful scapegoat opportunity that may well be availed.

[EDIT ADD} Nice article highlighting the QE situation: https://www.ft.com/content/e4964f08-f196-11e9-ad1e-4367d8281...

Also worth noting that negative interest rates seem to be the new tool that will replace/augment QE. Which may just work, though once again, perpetuating a mindset that borrowing over saving mentality in a way that whole generations will become saving avert. More so if/when negative interest rates take traction.

Re: How Germany is able to run the world’s second largest export economy

#110

Post by mrsuprawsm »

dr_dshiv wrote: post #69
ubercore wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've only visited briefly, but Aldi in Germany was higher quality than any Aldi I've been to in the US.

The Aldi in Amsterdam is a damn depressing store. Low ceilings, flickering lights, no organization or ambiance, and angry looking workers. Miles from the Trader Joe's in California

Aldi is not the same everywhere. The company split into two in 1960 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi), and standards differ between the two.

Aldi Süd has a much more pleasant store environment, in my experience. Aldi Nord is the variant present in the Netherlands.

>Internationally, Aldi Nord operates in Denmark, France, the Benelux countries, Portugal, Spain and Poland, while Aldi Süd operates in Ireland, Great Britain, Hungary, Switzerland, Australia, China, Italy, Austria and Slovenia.

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