West Germany had a very dynamic, bustling era in the decades after WW2. The foundation established there made them the world's top export economy pound-for-poun

West Germany had a very dynamic, bustling era in the decades after WW2. The foundation established there made them the world's top export economy pound-for-pound and one of the elite manufacturing economies. If they're lacking for ambition nationally-culturally, that would be a more recent event (post Euro). I would speculate that there is cultural identity and dynamism value in having your own independent currency, just as there is in having your own language. Germany's economy for example would be more potent if they weren't on the Euro. Artificially cheap exports is like a sugar high that is ultimately unhealthy for them, they have ridden that horse too far (relied on it to too great of an extent).