German power

In recent history Germany has tried and failed in their attempt to dominate the European continent twice at an enormous cost both in financial and human terms. It is ironic that they now through a process of European fiscal integration are placed in a position in many ways similar to what they tried to achieve in the two world wars they sparked.

As a response to the European sovereign debt crisis the Euro zone is moving ever closer to fiscal union, which in practice means transferring money from successful European countries (mainly Germany) to troubled European countries (most of them). In exchange for this fantastical generosity the lenders (again principally Germany) is able to force these countries to go through hugely painful and unpopular programs of austerity and economic transformation, in essence becoming more Germanic. Since Germany along with Sweden are the current prime examples of the famous Protestant work ethic and fiscal responsibility, there is likely no better example to recreate Europe’s economies in the image of. And in the long run it is likely to benefit both parties by putting Europe’s troubled economies back on track and in the process rebuilding and boosting the European market for German exports. However this is not the point, Europe could very well have thrived under the tutelage of Kaiser William and maybe even the brutal hand of the Fürer, but it meant what was then seen as an unacceptable loss of national freedom. The point is that by peaceful and benevolent means Chancellor Merkel has the potential to achieve what Germany’s militaristic leaders have failed to, power to control the domestic policies of its European neighbors and even reshape their societies to her liking.