Germany is no millitary power anymore. BTW - The German people have absolutely no interest to be one. Besides of that you should realize that Germany is as the third largest economy still one of the most powerful economical blocks in this world. I.e. we export more goods than the US. Proof?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051229/ap_on_bi_ge/germany_economy
Strikingly numbers about unemployment do not show everthing.
Maybe we have no right to be heared, but it would be a intelligent move to hear what we say.
:-)
That is the first time I have heard the amount a country exports used as the key indicator of its economic strength. The reality is, Germany is increasingly becoming a mere "middle man" in world trade. The amount of imported contents in what it subsequently exports has risen dramatically in the last decade, significantly reducing the net value gained by its "exports". Meanwhile, its domestic economy remains as sluggish as ever. There is a reason for Germany's double digit unemployment, and it isn't overall economic health.
Tricks and mirrors.
The Germans certainly have aggressively pursued political power on the world stage. Their chemical, industrial, and technological sales to dictators around the globe are testimony that they wish to be a player. Their campaign to acquire power at the top of the UN Security Council is also telling. Finally, they and France are the core of Old Europe, and they are aggressive in issuing political threats to other EU nations.
Simple question, my friend.
Will the EU have a military?
So far as their being the 3rd largest economy, that, too, is not quite right:
From the CIA Word Factbook: Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy - the fifth largest in the world - has become one of the slowest growing economies in the euro zone. A quick turnaround is not in the offing in the foreseeable future. Growth in 2001-03 fell short of 1%, rising to 1.7% in 2004. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70 billion. Germany's aging population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made unemployment a chronic problem. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are further addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government revenues and the rise in expenditures have raised the deficit above the EU's 3% debt limit. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gm.html
That said, I have spent 7 years of my life in Germany on different military assignments, and I find it a beautiful nation with great traditions, a wonderful culture, and friendly people.
Export "Weltmeister" is somewhat ambiguous.
For instance, California "exports" half of the amount Germany does. Take away what Germany exports to other EU countries and the picture changes. The US exports are calculated only on what we export outside our country.
Also, when you examine, for instance a German automobile, manufactured there and sold outside their borders, it qualifies as an export. However, look at the parts inside and you will find that most are manufactured outside of Germany to save costs. Germany has become the final assembly plant, nothing more.