Like other proponents of the German model of structural reform, Mr. Spence fails to recognize that Germany's success in in building a "competitive" economy during the 2000s was based on having counter parties who would provide the needed demand for the excess supply caused by wage suppression in Germany. If southern Europe, the U.S. and other "irresponsible" countries had not experienced credit fueled bubbles over the past decade, Germany would still be in a deep and long 10 year recession. It is essential that changes in the Euro periphery are matched by expansionary fiscal policy in Germany or expansionary monetary policy from the ECB. To suggest that southern Europe follow the German model, without addressing were the demand is going to come from is simply to wish unnecessary misery on the populations of Southern Europe.
Clarity about Austerity
Like other proponents of the German model of structural reform, Mr. Spence fails to recognize that Germany's success in in building a
"competitive" economy during the 2000s was based on having counter parties who would provide the needed demand for the excess supply caused by wage suppression in Germany. If southern Europe, the U.S. and other "irresponsible" countries had not experienced credit fueled bubbles over the past decade, Germany would still be in a deep and long 10 year recession. It is essential that changes in the Euro periphery are matched by expansionary fiscal policy in Germany or expansionary monetary policy from the ECB. To suggest that southern Europe follow the German model, without addressing were the demand is going to come from is simply to wish unnecessary misery on the populations of Southern Europe.