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I'll put it this way. World War I: Germany loses, is forced to pay not just debt, but reparations. Huge economic and political instability as a result leads
by sgnelson 11y ago
I'll put it this way.
World War I: Germany loses, is forced to pay not just debt, but reparations. Huge economic and political instability as a result leads to a new leadership which leads directly to World War II.
World War II: Germany loses, is split up, due to the Marshall plan (in part do to a fear of Communism, so not solely due to compassion), West Germany given millions of dollars to rebuild, a rather thriving democracy and economy is created as a result.
Which of these is the better option?
- MaysonL 11y agoIn other words, Greece should declare war, and get occupied? (It probably would be better for them than what's going to happen). If only there was a way to resurrect Marshall and Ike, and make them dictators over Greece…
- sgnelson 11y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mouse_That_Roared https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mouse_That_Roared
- saool 11y agoProbably the one where the country that is indebted and in need of development gets 60% of their debt forgiven and an stimulus plan.
- jsprogrammer 11y agoI guess it's not clear what you're arguing then. It seemed as though you believe Greece's debt should not be forgiven. [Note: Germany paid less than half of its WWI reparations, until recently. I'm not sure what WWI debt you are referring to though.]
- muro 11y agoIn "The Economic Consequences of the Peace", there is argument that the original reparations were make-believe and impossible. The 1929 revision was probably closer to reality and Germany did recently repay them. [at least according to news articles from 2010]
- craigyk 11y agoGermany was _forgiven_ over 50% of it's post war debts. By my rough calculation, 35B+ in today's dollars.
- muro 11y agoYes, it was "forgiven" 50%, but at least in that book, the author explains that the process of how the original sum was calculated was that France asked for an unreasonable sum in the first place.
- TheCondor 11y agoWest Germany did repay some of the defaulted WWI debt to help rebuild their reputation after they lost WWII. Also, there is another gigantic difference here, Germany lost a bloody war and we told them how it was going to be, we restructured their economy, wholesale, and they were in no position to disagree. About half the debt was forgiven because they did what we made them do. If Greece wants to put their sovereignty on the table and let their creditors structure their economy for them, that's a very different negotiation than what they've had. Further, the west wanted a strong Germany between them and the communists, what's Greece got to bring to that table? All this hypocrisy talk misses the point. Greece should go elsewhere to finance their debts if they don't like dealing with Germany. With their history, lifestyle, economy and government, I think that will be a challenge. Nothing prevents BRICs from investing there, they just don't seem that interested. Nations aren't individuals but try to go negotiate with a pawn shop or payday lending place, it sucks to need money and not have options. Sure, Germany has defaulted in the past, Greece can crap on then when the tables are reversed...
- afarrell 11y ago> the west wanted a strong Germany between them and the communists, what's Greece got to bring to that table? Continued loyalty to NATO and the EU? http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/03/eurozone-greece-russia-idUSL8N0ZH3LP20150703 http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/03/eurozone-greece-ru...
- muro 11y agoAccording to e.g.: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/legacy-of-versailles-germany-closes-book-on-world-war-i-with-final-reparations-payment-a-720156.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/legacy-of-versai... Germany did repay the WWI reparation debt.