“How Germany, After Losing World War II, Became Richer than the United Kingdom”

“How Germany, After Losing World War II, Became Richer than the United Kingdom” — the third lecture from Pavel Usanov’s course “The Wealth of Nations: Five Stories of Economic Success”.

In this lecture, we will explore the German economic miracle — how a country rose like a phoenix from the ruins thanks to the reforms of Ludwig Erhard, supported by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, and by the 1960s surpassed other European economies, including the United Kingdom.

How did the ruins of German cities turn into modern, vibrant spaces once loved by David Bowie and Ingmar Bergman? What were the first post-war years in Germany like? What ideas shaped Erhard’s policies, and why were they so effective? And what defines Germany’s economy today — and what lessons can we learn from it?

Find the answers at the lecture.