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Nothing is More Expensive for the Population than the Grotesque Inefficiency – Economist Reckons with Government

Economist Moritz Schularick criticizes the German government's defense policy, stating that billions of euros are being wasted on inefficient systems. He advocates for a more efficient use of funds, comparing the European approach to the US's more streamlined defense spen…

By Bertold Fabricius/WELT·Jul 29·welt.de·3 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Nothing is More Expensive for the Population than the Grotesque Inefficiency – Economist Reckons with Government
Image: welt.de

Economist Moritz Schularick criticizes the German government's defense policy, stating that billions of euros are being wasted on inefficient systems. He advocates for a more efficient use of funds, comparing the European approach to the US's more streamlined defense spending.

Why it matters

The German government's defense policy is under scrutiny due to inefficient spending, with economist Moritz Schularick calling for a more streamlined approach to defense spending.

Imagine you have a big team working on a project, but each team member is doing their own thing, and nobody is coordinating with each other. That's basically what's happening with the German government's defense policy. Economist Moritz Schularick is saying that this is a waste of resources and that they should be working together more efficiently to achieve their goals.

Analysis

A Grotesque Inefficiency in Defense Spending

Economist Moritz Schularick has spoken out against the German government's defense policy, stating that billions of euros are being wasted on inefficient systems. He advocates for a more efficient use of funds, comparing the European approach to the US's more streamlined defense spending. The US spends around 900 billion dollars on defense, while the European Nato states spend around 550 billion dollars, with a much better outcome due to efficient procurement and a lack of national egos. Schularick has called for a more efficient use of funds, stating that it is high time to be wise in spending. He has also criticized the fact that each European country has its own way of doing things, resulting in many competing models for U-boats and tanks. This inefficiency is not only a waste of resources but also a strategic disadvantage for Europe, as it remains dependent on the US in military operations. The Kiel Institute for World Economics has also highlighted the issue, stating that increased financial resources have not led to increased capabilities and greater autonomy. Schularick's comments come after he previously called for a more efficient use of funds on the platform X, linked to a publication by his institute on European defense autonomy.

The Need for a More Streamlined Approach

Schularick's criticism of the German government's defense policy is not just about the waste of resources but also about the strategic implications. He has called for a more streamlined approach to defense spending, one that would allow Europe to become more autonomous in its military operations. This would not only be more efficient but also more effective in achieving European defense goals. The US, with its more streamlined defense spending, has been able to achieve better outcomes, and Schularick believes that Europe can do the same. He has also highlighted the need for a more coordinated approach to defense spending, one that would avoid the duplication of efforts and the waste of resources that comes with it.

The Road Ahead

The road ahead for Europe's defense policy is uncertain, but one thing is clear: there is a need for a more efficient and streamlined approach to defense spending. Schularick's criticism of the German government's defense policy is a call to action, a reminder that the current approach is not only wasteful but also strategically disadvantageous. The question now is whether the German government will take heed of Schularick's warnings and embark on a more efficient and effective defense policy.

Key points

  • Economist Moritz Schularick criticizes the German government's defense policy for being inefficient and wasteful.
  • He advocates for a more streamlined approach to defense spending, comparing the European approach to the US's more efficient defense spending.
  • The US spends around 900 billion dollars on defense, while the European Nato states spend around 550 billion dollars, with a much better outcome due to efficient procurement and a lack of national egos.
  • Schularick has called for a more efficient use of funds, stating that it is high time to be wise in spending.
The Upside

If the German government takes heed of Schularick's warnings and embarks on a more efficient and effective defense policy, it could lead to a more streamlined and coordinated approach to defense spending, resulting in better outcomes and greater autonomy for Europe.

The Downside

If the German government continues to waste resources on inefficient systems, it could lead to a continued strategic disadvantage for Europe, making it more dependent on the US in military operations.

Originally reported at

welt.de

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsgermanydefense-policyinefficiencywaste-of-resourceseuropean-unionus-comparison

Author

Bertold Fabricius/WELT

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 29, 2026

Source

welt.de

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Topics

germanydefense-policyinefficiencywaste-of-resourceseuropean-unionus-comparison

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