Buy Buy Europe 4: Bratwurst, Lederhosen and Minijobs

About the series

A strong, liberal economy was the goal of the European Union. The introduction of the Euro would deliver new prosperity for everybody. But the credit crunch and the debt crisis followed by the big recession exposed that, according to the makers of the series, the Europen Union is an union of competition and inequality. In this web series we will explore who is winning and who is losing in the euro crisis. How did it come this far, and most of all, what kind of Europe do we want?

Bratwurst, Lederhosen and Minijobs

For the past years, the German economy is set as an example for other EU members. The German industry and banks made fortunes with the dramatic increase of German exports. However, in addition to being export champion, Germany holds the European record for the number of working poor. Cheaper export products are a result of the reduction of wages and the deregulation of employment, at the expense of the German people.

Economic interest

The Eurozone was built at the high point of the neoliberalism. Policymakers believed that liberalized banks would send money to where it is most needed, and it was believed that if you left it to the market there would be investments and growth. The Euro promised new prosperity throughout the union, but the Euro increased inequality within the EU rather than reduced it. As the German exports increased dramatically, the economy of southern Europe stagnated. The new series of reforms implemented by German chancellor Schroder promised employment en prosperity for everyone, but at the same time involved change in employment including aspects like working conditions and wages.