Why Is Germany a Superpower 70 Years After It Was Dust?

They`re still using them too.

 

Oh it being germany rather than the post WWII aid. Sorry.

 

No just pointing out that's why they AREN'T a super power. I admire their work ethic and the fact some conservatism comes shining through.

 

Pssst except for the fact that they didn't buy ammo off the US for Libya.

 

How did they become a successful economy? (The term superpower seems like it isn't Germany's goal. They strive to create a utilitarian society with a strong economy and a high level of personal freedom, like other Northern European countries such as the Scandinavian nations)

Expansive universal free education.

Legislative efforts by the government to create a trade surplus by rejecting cheap imports and increasing exports.

Universal health care.

Extensive public transit -- subways, bullet trains, buses, trams, etc

Legislated workers rights such as vacation time, pregnant leave, high minimum wage, etc

They are and always have been a logical and well-organized society, at times holding an obsession with order. It is entwined into their language and culture. (This one may be less palatable to some, but to me seems true).

 

They have as many nukes as Israel doesn't.

 

The Wikipedia article credits-

Or in a nutshell:

These are all qualities the US has as well. However, we don't hold up to such a high standard I suppose as in the US 90% of everything is crap.

Why can't we make our cars just as good? Why isn't US Steel the #1 steel plant in the world?? Why do we come up with an idea then quickly hash it out to third world nations for mass production- aren't we capable of our own mass production- especially if we hold the patents on it???

 

I would say the US has a higher level of corruption. And also less target oriented legislation not based in the two-party stranglehold on politics. Germany has line-voting to ensure more alternative parties have a voice in politics.

To my knowledge they also have more simplified taxation and more straight forward use of revenues, but someone else more knowledgeable could discuss that.

With respect to the GDP, I would say that having a trade surplus has a lot to do with Germany's success.

The big 3 spend a huge amount of money on health care as do a lot of other industries in the US, especially those who are entangled in contractual obligations from a time when health care was a more reasonable option for employers. Japan has a very similar universal health care system. It actually would free up a lot of overhead for businesses if there was a universalized form of health care. But none of it really matters until the corruption in US politics are wrangled in and the tax code is simplified.

 

Because they earned it.

 

In my personal experience their products are the best as I will often seek them out.
Neighbors came from Germany about 4 years ago and tell me everyone in Germany takes pride in Buying German made products with one exception, Ford vehicles. Then he goes on to tell me Ford sells junk here in the states and he does not understand why.

 

I suspect one of the contributing factors to Germany's material and sociological success, is an almost obsessive pride in doing things well. I am told that every German (as opposed to Turkish, or Polish, or whatever,) factory worker takes pride in a well designed and made product going out into the world with 'Deutsche hergestellt' stamped on it. Added to which is a high level of social justice, and a desire for society to be ordered.

 

Umm, I don't know what's so hard for you to understand. Germany has never built or possessed any of it's own nuclear weapons. The only nukes that have ever been on Germany soil belonged to the US, and probably Russia in East Germany during the cold war. But hey, don't let facts get in your way.

Ya, that's pure speculation on your part. The bulk of the German Army is made of two year conscripts. They do have top notch military equipment, but they're armed services are dwarfed by their neighbors.

They invested allot in their education system. They export allot of quality goods, and didn't hurt having a superpower protect you until the end of the cold war.

 

Defiant to the end, are we?

Stop defying the rules of English!

D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y

 

nazi germany had the right idea under national socialism it was just bad that they didn't include everyone like marxism socialism does.

socialism and redistributing the wealth is the answer but it has to include all groups of people not just nazis, they have adapted and truly become a superior country today unlike before.

 

The US is blighted by special interest groups, and by "special" I mean "selfish". Political decision making in Germany (and otehr European countries such as NL) is based off the premise of making decisions that are actually good for the country as a whole, not just rich industrialists.

 

They elected and supported Hitler which resulted in the complete destruction of Germany. I'd say that wasn't too bright.

 

Re-unification was a massive financial killer, and it managed to deal with that also.

 

To be clear anout "hard working" (long hours):
DEFINITION: Percentage of persons in employment working more than 40 hours/week. Data is for 2000
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/lab_wor_tim_mor_tha_40_hou-time-more-than-40-hours
Rank Countries Amount
# 1 Japan: 75.9%
# 2 United States: 67.6%
# 3 Switzerland: 66.9%
# 4 New Zealand: 65.4%
# 5 Italy: 63.8%
# 6 Sweden: 61.5%
# 7 Austria: 57.6%
# 8 Canada: 54.7%
# 9 United Kingdom: 49.8%
# 10 Australia: 48.6%
# 11 Germany: 43.7%
# 12 Ireland: 38.4%
# 13 Netherlands: 36.9%
# 14 Belgium: 28.7%
# 15 Denmark: 22.1%
# 16 France: 21.4%
# 17 Finland: 16%
# 18 Norway: 15.8%

Weighted average: 46.4%
Figures from 2000

Now we can have a discussion about hard vs smart working but I don't think it's making that much difference.

Look into lobby groups and the theory of selfish individualism to find the answers.

 

Germany has nukes, period. They got them from us years ago.

And what does "allot" mean? Do you mean "a lot"? Nice mastery of the English language.

 

No they don't. But you can provide links I'm sure.

 

Yeah- you're right. They don't have nukes. Nope. Now shhh!

 

The problem is that the people with the most ridiculous ideas are always the people who are most certain of them.- Bill Maher

Thanks for the quote.

 

So you attack a misspelled word to cover up the fact that you are dead wrong about Germany possessing nukes.

You're wrong, deal with it.

 

This is very true. And I think it goes into hard work, simple as that. But I really do like how unions seem to function in germany opposed to the us.. I think the US unions serve special political interest more than any service to the business or employee.. could it be because unions were created in a different manner in each place?

 

LOL! When did Germany become a superpower?

Awfully broad definition of "superpower" you're using there, heh heh.