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This is a classic story where Germans are amazing at doing the R&D on something but are squeezed so hard while scaling, that technologically less sophisticated
by kennethwolters 3y ago
This is a classic story where Germans are amazing at doing the R&D on something but are squeezed so hard while scaling, that technologically less sophisticated competitors take over and dominate the market.
Imagine what German engineering could push into the market if it weren't for this self-flagellation. Maybe it is time again for German engineers and scientists to emigrate to greener pastures.
- iammjm 3y agoPart of the problem is the conservatives blocking the investments because they believe any debt is super bad
- nradov 3y agoIs there some reason that solar power industry investments would have to be financed using debt rather than equity?
- majewsky 3y agoAs a German observing the political debate in Germany, it appears to me that either the relevant politicians are literally unaware of the equity option, or they are ideologically opposed to it for some reason. The same applies to political journalists, so we don't get a clear answer that way either. To go into opinion, I'm heavily leaning towards the "ideology" explanation. The current libertarian finance minister is rather publicly operating on a platform of "the government handling money = bad".
- sgift 3y ago> To go into opinion, I'm heavily leaning towards the "ideology" explanation Yes, it's that. The usual slogan for that can be roughly translated "The government is not the better entrepreneur" ("Die Politik ist nicht der bessere Unternehmer"). It's usually trotted out by conservatives and libertarians in Germany if someone dares to suggest that the government could own some company or even only parts of it.