Very useful discussion of the topic; far more powerful than a focus primarily on demand and supply, consumption and production as key drivers. Thanks for the succinct version.
Can definitely confirm the point Ash makes in the article. Despite Germany’s much-touted status as “Exportweltmeister” (export world champion). Life on the ground is getting harder and harder for the people. It was perfectly summed up by laconis t-shirt a family father I saw walking down the street in Berlin with his daughter. It read:
“Arm trotz Arbeit” (Poor Despite Having Job)
They are squeezing people hard. A serious backlash will come from right and left factions.