Kaput Audiobook By Wolfgang Münchau cover art

Kaput

The End of the German Miracle

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Kaput

By: Wolfgang Münchau
Narrated by: Mark Elstob
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Until recently, Germany appeared to be a paragon of economic and political success. Angela Merkel was widely seen as the true 'leader of the free world', and Germany's export-driven economic model seemed to deliver prosperity. But recent events—from Germany's dependence on Russian gas to its car industry's delays in the race to electric—have undermined this view.

In Kaput, Wolfgang Münchau argues that the weaknesses of Germany's economy have, in fact, been brewing for decades. The neo-mercantilist policies of the German state, driven by close connections between the country's industrial and political elite, have left Germany technologically behind over-reliant on authoritarian Russia and China—and with little sign of being able to adapt to the digital realities of the 21st century. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of Europe's biggest economy.

©2024 Wolfgang Münchau (P)2024 Swift Press Audio Europe Germany Politics & Government Russia Socialism Capitalism China Military
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Didn’t like the Audio readers voice And I have to write 15 words to say that

Good story spoiled by audio voice

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a short, well-written, well explained book. The author is knowledgeable and has clear style without resorting to anecdotes and other literary frills.

to the point

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Interesting and will learn something from it. Very critical and sarcastic about just about all leaders and policies past and present though offers few solutions other than “digitizing” and debt spending. Narrator has a very sarcastic tone.

Mostly a collection of newspaper opinion pieces.

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The engine in a VW Bug is in he back, not the front. The smoke is coming out the wrong end of the car

Good Book - Cover art ios a litle dumb

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Wolfgang is a liberal, i am a marxist. Still i learned a lot about what is going wrong with Germany, disastrous short term policies, Bourgeoisie ( car / chemical / steel industry) influence on politics. Germany's difficulty to adapt to new technologies. All economicaly very sound. The problem i have with this book, is that the geopolitical analysis is very weak. Any policy that Russia or China takes that disadvantagesGermany is always with bad motives. The policies that the US does that disadvantages Germany are always genius.

economicaly sound but geopoliticaly weak

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book is rather short and has a narrow take on the problems of Germany which leans heavily into the Atlanticist liberal view without really giving any consideration as to the weaknesses of that strategy or policy prescription of that side.

germanys problems stem from adapting itself to the niche of middle man which in the current geopolitical environment does not seem like it can be maintained. a better book I think would explore this problem geopolitical and honestly assess each strategy and not merely dismiss the other side.

a narrow account of germanys troubles

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