The funny thing about Germany now is that it's actually in a bit of a bind because its prosperity is perilously linked to export. The reason Merkel is so aggres

The funny thing about Germany now is that it's actually in a bit of a bind because its prosperity is perilously linked to export. The reason Merkel is so aggressive about maintaining the integrity of the EU is largely because Germany needs the free trade zone, common currency, etc to keep its export-driven market running (not to mention favorable access to cheap labor to its east). The author emphasizes the dangers of over-dependence on import, but the opposite is likewise true. Interestingly, when the 2008 recession hit, Poland was the only country in the EU left with positive growth and this is largely attributed to the strong domestic market that made it more resistant to failure in foreign markets.