Posted on 08/23/2026 2:32:15 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
This macroeconomic documentary argues that Germany is experiencing a structural, irreversible deindustrialization due to a combination of self-imposed policy failures, high energy costs, and bureaucratic paralysis. The creator posits that Germany is essentially executing a modern version of the 1944 Morgenthau Plan (0:00–1:15), resulting in a collapsing middle class and a declining standard of living that may soon fall below that of Mississippi (1:23–3:45).
Key themes include:
The Breakdown of the German Business Model: Germany’s economy previously relied on a "geopolitical arbitrage" of cheap Russian natural gas and high-end manufacturing exports to China. With these pillars compromised, the nation is losing its competitive edge to cheaper, more innovative international alternatives (5:33–8:11).
The Volkswagen Crisis: The closure of the Dresden "Transparent Factory" (8:41–9:20) and the violation of a 30-year labor protection agreement (11:04–11:42) serve as a "sovereign default" signal for the broader German industrial sector.
Bureaucratic and Fiscal Stagnation: The video highlights the Schuldenbremse (Debt Brake) as an "economic straightjacket" (14:39–15:07) that prevents necessary infrastructure investment. This, combined with an "analog empire" mentality—such as the reliance on fax machines in government offices (16:52–17:29) and 5–10 year permitting timelines for green energy (17:38–18:07)—is causing capital to flee the country (18:33–19:26).
The Mississippi Comparison: The American South is identified as the beneficiary of this shift, as it offers the exact components Germany has abandoned: secure, affordable baseline energy and a regulatory environment that facilitates industrial development (19:48–20:45).
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
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Germany needs a new Bismarck!
Is it really? They've long had the rundown section where the hipsters squat, but it would take a while for the whole city to be like that.
P!us they are over run with muslims.
From AI...
“Goethe had a complex view of Germans; he respected their cultural contributions but was critical of German nationalism, fearing it would lead to division. He believed in promoting a love of art and science that transcended national boundaries, emphasizing beauty and truth over narrow national interests. Goethe wanted to raise people to a love of art and science, rather than pursue German nationalism. “
Sounds like he’d be pretty happy with today’s Germany. He’d be a fan of Merkel.
It just takes one generation to collapse
Well, it’s reasonable for all of us to have our interpretations. Yours makes sense. Mine centers around the inability of Germany in Goethe’s time to unite for a better life. This, for me, foreshadowed the inability of Germans to form responsible political unification...resulting in catastrophe. History suggests to me they don’t do well in the collective.
Following the supervisory board meeting in July, the company announced its intention to halve its global product range by 2035. Most notably, however, the announcement mentions the elimination of 120,000 jobs and the potential closure of four plants (Emden, Hanover , Zwickau, and the Audi plant in Neckarsulm).
English translation- https://www-bild-de.translate.goog/politik/inland/9-betriebsversammlungen-in-7-tagen-woche-der-wahrheit-bei-volkswagen-6a893883c3692834ff6d904c?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Original - https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/9-betriebsversammlungen-in-7-tagen-woche-der-wahrheit-bei-volkswagen-6a893883c3692834ff6d904c
My maternal great grandmother from Pomerania started it on my end!😀
I suspect that you’re aware that there’s a lot more to be found in the Ruhr Valley than wineries and breweries.
“And Alabama and South Carolina produce Mercedes and BMWs, respectively.”
..and Volvo cars.
Alabama also has Hyundai and a ton of feeder plants between Montgomery and the big Kia plant across the state line in West Point, GA.
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