Speaking ill of Germany: Why we think things are getting worse
Economist & Photographer / No. 68
P: Good morning, Economist.
E: Good morning, Photographer.
P: I've been coming across more and more people who are pretty pessimistic about the future. The attitude that everything is getting worse appears to be widespread in Germany.
E: Your impression is not deceptive. The Germans are increasingly doubting the future viability of their country. Not even a third of the population is convinced that Germany will develop well in the next ten years.
P: Economically speaking, most people are doing pretty well.
E: That may be true objectively, but the subjective impression seems different for many.
P: Why is that?
E: For three reasons. First of all, there is actually greater uncertainty about whether our future is that rosy. The war that Russia started, the inflation, the economic stagnation, the rise of the far-right in many European countries, not least in Germany. All of this worries people.
P: So there are real reasons for the gloom.
E: On the one hand. On the other hand and secondly, we are blinded to a certain extent. It is scientifically proven that people in emerging economies have a much more positive view of the future. The experience of being better off today than yesterday gives you more hope for the future. If one has become accustomed to high standards of prosperity instead, like most people in Germany, the experience of progress is missing. That can make you more pessimistic. In addition, you have a lot to lose if you have a lot. Only wealthy people can worry that wealth could dwindle in the future.
P: Not all people are rich in Germany.
E: But society as a whole is. There is a third thing. We are surrounded by bad news. The media spreads bad news because humans are naturally wired for such information. Recognizing danger has ensured human survival.
P: Please, no media bashing.
E: This is not media bashing. It just explains why the news is rightly and mainly bad news. In addition, it is far from only the media that tell such negative stories. Politicians are elected to solve problems. Therefore, It is their business not only to name issues but also to make them bigger than they actually are. What's the point of a political change if people think things are going well? At least opposition parties do not like such attitudes.
P: Change requires awareness of the problem.
E: Right. But, exaggeration creates the impression that things are more terrible than they really are. This is reinforced by the fact that not only the media and politicians are constantly talking about problems.
P: Who else?
E: In a democracy, interests are bundled into interest groups. However, these lobby groups are only heard by politicians if issues appear to be relevant enough and if many voters are potentially affected. As a result, lobby organizations exaggerate, too. Pharmacists see health care in danger. The chemical industry fears for Germany as a business location. And trade unions see Germany as a country of the poor if wage increases are too low. They speak of the devil till the devil shows up.
P: What is the devil?
E: Because of the constant barrage of bad news, more and more people believe things are actually getting worse. Then, at some point, the belief in the abilities of democracy fades.
< silence >
E: By the way, the abilities of democracy to create prosperity are wonderfully documented. Most developed countries in the world are democratic.
P: Exceptions prove the rule.
E: You think of China. I am excited to see how authoritarian China deals with the emerging economic crisis there. My thesis is, that in the long term, a country's prosperity requires not only competition within the economy but also in politics.
P: We'll see if you're right, Economist. Have a nice day.
E: Have a nice day.
Why do Strolling Economist and Accidental Photographer take daily walks? Check out here for more. – By the way, sometimes they go their own ways, the economist here, the photographer there.