If you are unemployed, Harz IV, provides barely enough money to live a decent life (especially compared to other Western-European countries). As someone in one

If you are unemployed, Harz IV, provides barely enough money to live a decent life (especially compared to other Western-European countries). As someone in one of those other Western-European countries, I can only say this is a good thing. If unemployment benefits are so high that the cost of child care, transportation, etc dwarfs the extra income from a real job, you aren't going to work. Harz IV was harsh, but it allowed the Germans to get their finances right, and they did so timely. Every other European country will face much more serious cuts or go bankrupt. (Or pray to the Germans to pay for their excessive lifestyle, which is what's happening now)