5 ms·

While there are some truths in there, other points are just assumptions to make the author's point. I can only speak about Germany but 35 hours weeks are long

by foepys 5y ago

While there are some truths in there, other points are just assumptions to make the author's point. I can only speak about Germany but 35 hours weeks are long gone except for some large companies, retirement age is 67 now, which is far away from one "being in their prime". Germany's arms production is very advanced, the Leopard 2 is one of the best tanks in the world, German submarines are apparently the best non-nuclear submarines you can buy, and German guns are used all around the world. The government just somehow didn't want to put much money into defense which was luckily now reversed swiftly. In general the EU has put great effort in projects to develop weapon systems that are used by more than one country, see projects like the Eurofighter, A400M, and NH90. It might not be enough but the article just dismisses it as if it didn't happen. The praise of America's "cut-throat model" also ignores all downsides of it. High poverty rates, bad healthcare, and in general high inequality.

hef19898 5y ago
And even if German work weeks would be, mostly, 35 hours the question is the overall output isn't it? And there, Germany is usually at very top end of each statistic I can remember. In output per employee that is. And it not just German arms, French subs were good enough for Australia, Belgian small arms are used by everyone... I could go on.
- nceqs3 5y ago
  >the question is the overall output isn't it? Well considering German arms are nothing more than show pieces, it's output is, well, zero. Although this could be changing as Germany finally changes its defensive posture after the Ukraine invasion.
  - hef19898 5y ago
    https://www.statista.com/chart/17316/share-of-global-arms-exports-by-country/ https://www.statista.com/chart/17316/share-of-global-arms-ex... Well, being arms exporter number 4, after the US, Russia and France, and in front of China is definitly not zero. Now exclude the really expensive stuff like the F-35 and the picture even looks less clear. Well, I dont consider arms exports to be a good thing to brag about. But every statistic I know of clearly shows the EU, and Europe are much more inovative and much less "free-riding" than that article might make you believe.
    - nceqs3 5y ago
      Yes comparing arms exports is indeed a weird internet argument to have. My prior comment was in regards to the massive restrictions placed on the weapons by the German government. Of course, some of that, is now changing.
      - hef19898 5y ago
        Which massive restrictions? Not exporting into conflict zones? And still, number four exporter world wide. And your argument was something along the libes of "German weapons arw show cases with zero output" to show just how free-riding Germany, and Europe are. Objectively not true. EDIT: Trick question, where do you think the main gun of the M1 Abrams was developed? Hint: Not in the US. Or its armor? Hint: It is named after a place, Chobham.

by foepys 5y ago

hef19898 5y ago

And even if German work weeks would be, mostly, 35 hours the question is the overall output isn't it? And there, Germany is usually at very top end of each statistic I can remember. In output per employee that is. And it not just German arms, French subs were good enough for Australia, Belgian small arms are used by everyone... I could go on.

nceqs3 5y ago
>the question is the overall output isn't it? Well considering German arms are nothing more than show pieces, it's output is, well, zero. Although this could be changing as Germany finally changes its defensive posture after the Ukraine invasion.
- hef19898 5y ago
  https://www.statista.com/chart/17316/share-of-global-arms-exports-by-country/ https://www.statista.com/chart/17316/share-of-global-arms-ex... Well, being arms exporter number 4, after the US, Russia and France, and in front of China is definitly not zero. Now exclude the really expensive stuff like the F-35 and the picture even looks less clear. Well, I dont consider arms exports to be a good thing to brag about. But every statistic I know of clearly shows the EU, and Europe are much more inovative and much less "free-riding" than that article might make you believe.
  - nceqs3 5y ago
    Yes comparing arms exports is indeed a weird internet argument to have. My prior comment was in regards to the massive restrictions placed on the weapons by the German government. Of course, some of that, is now changing.
    - hef19898 5y ago
      Which massive restrictions? Not exporting into conflict zones? And still, number four exporter world wide. And your argument was something along the libes of "German weapons arw show cases with zero output" to show just how free-riding Germany, and Europe are. Objectively not true. EDIT: Trick question, where do you think the main gun of the M1 Abrams was developed? Hint: Not in the US. Or its armor? Hint: It is named after a place, Chobham.