Developing aid Developing aid: All mainstream parties stress the importance of strengthening German developing aid towards the 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) OECD target as a pillar of Germany’s international security policy. Facing international criticism regarding its subpar defence spending, the German government repeatedly emphasized the equal importance toRead More →
Successfully absorbed major shocks Germany’s social systems have repeatedly and successfully absorbed major shocks over the last few decades, reunification being the most notable example. This event created three Herculean tasks. The first was to protect individuals who became unemployed as a result of the collapse of socialism. In EastRead More →
Disarmament, arms exports Disarmament, arms exports: Centre-left and leftist parties emphasize (nuclear) disarmament, arms export control and ban of autonomous weapons as crucial factors of global stability. The Social Democrats call for a general export ban for small arms to non-EU/-NATO/-NATO-equivalent countries. They also aim at a more coordinated andRead More →
Criticized for largely serving “redistribution purposes” The EU budget has repeatedly been criticized for largely serving “redistribution purposes” of the EU member states8 rather than really focusing on maximizing added value on the European level. Additionally, the effectiveness and efficiency of EU spending through agricultural and regional policy, which consumeRead More →
NATO 2% objective NATO 2% objective: Centre-right parties (CDU/CSU, FDP) pledge themselves to the 2% NATO objective and further increase of Germany’s defence budget until 2024. CDU/CSU plan an increase of military personnel by 18,000 until 2024, modernisation of equipment and strengthening of Germany’s cyber- defence capacities. Also the LiberalsRead More →
Mainstream parties agree on international security framework, not on the details NATO/EU defence integration: Mirroring the German populace, most mainstream German political parties broadly agree in their commitment to NATO membership and European defence integration. They support the creation of a European Defence Fund, emphasize the necessity to strengthen EU’sRead More →
Functioning social system boosts citizens’ resilience Social systems contribute to economic success and political stability in many ways. They mitigate the negative social effects of the Schumpeterian ‘creative destruction’ caused by international competition to which Germany, as an open economy, is particularly exposed. Anyone who loses their job in GermanyRead More →
Different facilities for regional policy It mainly draws funds through the different facilities for regional policy, with EUR 82 bn (22% of total) but also is the fifth largest destination for agricultural funds (EUR 32 bn). After Poland, absolute spending from structural and investment funds is highest in the EU’sRead More →
Massive boost to the German (and also European) defence industry Additional military materiel spending on such a scale would also mean a massive boost to the German (and also European) defence industry that would receive the bulk of additional defence contracts. In 2014, Bundeswehr procurement accounted for 36% of theRead More →
Equipment/R&D spending is estimated somewhat differently Equipment/R&D spending is estimated somewhat differently in the German defence budget, which foresees an increase of EUR 591 m (or 11% yoy) in total equipment/R&D spending this year to EUR 6 bn (or 16.2% of total). The bulk of additional spending (EUR 404 m)Read More →
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