Downstream: Germany, Russia and the Death of Europe w/ Wolfgang Munchau

Novara Media Podcasts

Almost 140 or so years ago, Germany invented the car. In the subsequent century, it was central to two world wars; its manufacturing was the envy of much of the world, and in the latter half of the 20th century, it was vital to European integration. Now, just 2 months before a general election, Germany finds itself in a much more precarious position. The European project is fragile, innovation has stalled, and their dependence on Russian resources has become, quite obviously, disastrous.

So what will happen to this once deeply consequential world power, and what does its story tell us about the future of Europe and the upending of global power in the 21st century?

This week’s guest has a thorough understanding of this story. He wrote for the FT on European and German matters for over 20 years, and his new book ‘Kaput’ tells us an awful lot about why Germany is in the state it currently is.