According to an international study, Germany has rested on previous successes for too long – and is therefore now in a political and economic dead end.
The complacency of the Merkel era is now getting the country, it says in the so-called mountain gruen Governance Index. Researchers were involved in the investigation: Interior of the University of California (UCLA), the think tank of the Berggruen Institute and Hertie School, a private university in Berlin.
Researchers: Inside: Not enough prepared for shocks
“The most worrying is the type of structural and deep roots of many of the problems,” said study author Edward Knudsen from the German Press Agency. Time and structural changes are needed for solutions. “Exchange one government party for another is not necessarily the solution,” warns Knudsen.
According to the analysis of the scientists, the 2010s are decisive for the processed situation. At that time, Germany had resources, time and a stable political leadership, emphasized Knudsen. “But it has decided to wait for the time instead of preparing for future shocks.” That is why Germany lacks resistance, he added.
Four main problems in Germany
The report identifies four main causes for the diagnosed political and economic crisis. On the one hand, lack of investments slowed down and intensified inequality, the author writes: inside of the report. In addition, migration is an unresolved and contradictory problem in Germany. On the one hand, immigration in an aging society is crucial for economic growth. “On the other hand, it has developed into a central political conflict cooker,” analyzing the researchers.
In addition, Germany has developed too much dependence on other countries in recent years – for example from Russia in energy supply. The recent economic stagnation had also weakened the political consensus and social cohesion.
Key figures on scale from 0 to 100
The analysis is based on a variety of data and studies. On this basis, it indicates various key figures, each of which is shown on a scale from 0 to 100. The index for so -called democratic control fell from around 100 in 2011 to 93 in 2021.