September 1st, 2024

The German problem? It's an analogue country in a digital world

Germany's economy faces slow growth and potential recession due to lagging technological advancements, reliance on traditional industries, and rising far-right sentiments, necessitating a shift towards digital innovation and competitiveness.

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The German problem? It's an analogue country in a digital world

Germany, once a model of economic success, is now facing significant challenges as it struggles to adapt to a rapidly digitalizing world. The country has been slow to embrace technological advancements, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence and electric vehicles, which has hindered its economic growth. Since 2018, Germany has experienced the slowest growth in the G7, averaging just 0.4% annually, and is now at risk of a technical recession. The reliance on traditional industries, coupled with a lack of investment in infrastructure and innovation, has left Germany vulnerable to competition from low-cost producers, particularly from China. The rise of the far-right party AfD, which has gained traction in recent polls, reflects deeper societal issues stemming from economic dissatisfaction. While Germany has historically been seen as a model for other economies, its current struggles highlight the need for a shift in strategy to remain competitive in a digital age. The country must embrace change and invest in new technologies to revitalize its economy and address the challenges posed by extremist political movements.

- Germany's economy is struggling with slow growth and potential recession.

- The country is lagging in technological advancements, particularly in AI and electric vehicles.

- Traditional industries are becoming less competitive against low-cost producers.

- The rise of the far-right AfD party indicates economic and social discontent.

- Germany needs to adapt its economic model to thrive in a digital world.

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Link Icon 2 comments
By @bell-cot - 5 months
A glib diagnosis, but not particularly credible. Especially after the recent-ish massive layoffs at the FAANG's, Intel's woes, etc.

And if Germany hasn't gotten pretty sclerotic and dysfunctional at its supposed (per the article) core strengths, then why the <bleep/> is it a relative no-show in the ultra-precision analog engineering business of chip fabrication? And so laughably low-achieving at artillery shell production? The Germans proved extremely capable at the latter back in the early 1940's, even with the distraction of bombs raining down on their cities day and night...

By @slt2021 - 5 months
its not only Germany, overall all major West-European countries are facing an identity crisis.

None of the developed west-european countries (UK,France,Spain,Italy,Germany) do have any ideology or a civic idea, similar to the American Dream. By rejecting religion and ethnicity as a basis for identity, and importing millions of people from the third world - they don't know what to do with them and how to integrate them.

smaller countries like Poland have ethnic and religious basis, but what is the German identity, anyways? not even Germans themselves have an answer, because the last guy to have an answer caused a world war