Money and power - how much influence do the super rich have? (3/3) | DW Documentary

How much power do people with a lot of money really have? Who decides how Germany should look? These questions are the subject of the film "Land of Inequality - Power.”
Many studies show that a small but wealthy part of society defines a country’s political direction. It’s the same all over the world. German researchers evaluated hundreds of opinion polls on the topics of the economy, environment, foreign policy and finance. They then examined what poor people wanted from politics on these issues - and what the rich did. The differences were clear: "An obvious example is taxes on property,” says Armin Schäfer, a political scientist at the University of Munster. "Higher income groups are more skeptical about any reintroduction of a property tax, whereas lower income groups definitely want it. So far, we have not reintroduced a property tax in that form.” So who gets to decide what Germany looks like? To find out, our film follows building contractor Christoph Gröner, who has made millions from the construction business. Gröner wants to build an entire new district in Cologne, which is facing a severe housing shortfall and where rents are soaring and the poor in particular feel ignored. But he has faced delays in getting building permits. Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker says: "It is a city’s job to provide land and grant building permits.” But can’t it do that faster? Gröner says the politicians should take their foot off the brakes. To show how much power money really wields, we go to the places where politics and economics come together - to the district town halls and the VIP box at a Bundesliga stadium. And to Europe's largest real estate show in Cannes, where billionaire investors use their financial clout to shape cities and regions as they wish.
Part 1: • Inequality - how wealt...
Part 2: • Rich and poor - the in...
Part 3: • Money and power - how ...
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[@XandriaRavenheart]

I also think it was good of at least one of these millionaires to agree for their private life to be documented for six months, they could have just refused and we would be left with no documentary. So thanks Mr. Groener and DW for this enlightening documentary. I used to think Germany was like a perfect country, and now my outlook is very different.

[@WhateverNullPointer]

He is probably a narcissist who loves the attention and thinks he is the best thing that ever happened to Germany

[@MsTMarie83]

Same here! The fact that he stepped up knowing he may be "the bad guy" I appreciate he at least comes across as an ethical millionaire lol Its scary how corrupt almost all of our politicians seem.

[@Mohammed-oc6qi]

I can say I hold the same sentiments too after watching this series

[@zheli655]

He wants to get involved in politics, that’s why he agreed for this: publicity

[@defenestrator9119]

@@WhateverNullPointer He clearly is a narcissist. Examples: 2:43, talks about how easily he makes his dreams reality, well yeah, shortly after you see him setting up a meeting with the mayor (assumedly to bribe/influence them to get his way, money talks); 12:58 essentially saying "these are my slaves, they ruin their lives for me, now sit down so people can see me."

[@livinginacar6690]

Christoph is a breath of fresh air; a real gentleman. I tip my hat to this documentary, great editing. It’s unfortunate most people vilify the super rich entrepreneurs, they should aspire us.

[@kimberleyhunter6815]

I think you mean inspire. Aspire is when you want to be like someone else. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who is rich that aspires to be like someone who is poorer than they are.

[@sebastianpuka555]

Quality, neutrality and unbiased approach to this issue is truly astonishing. It made me realize, how rare, if nearly non existent ,such journalism is in today's world.Here,in US, NPR used to be somewhat similar, but they drifted away into racial radicalism. A new norm,stubbornly promoted by them. Society divided by color,not by class anymore.Racial issues as the sole and only problem in our country, always caused by white people.Simultaneously telling their audience, that only people of color experience social injustice, therefore all avaliable resources must be directed towards minority groups only. Im glad, that i can enjoy a quality documentary once again 👌

[@rod1419]

The translation of the German guy was completely incorrect 11:46

[@tbucknor]

Wow, the politician said a mouthful when he stated that "Being a politician shouldn't guarantee preferential treatment." I cannot imagine any of our US politicians agreeing with him!

[@sophiaatn5339]

Either in the U.K.

[@timnorton1568]

I believe every politician would agree with him, in the US and elsewhere, but how they all act is usually something different. Saying virtuous things doesn't guarantee virtue will happen :)

[@chiarayavhnoska966]

italians politicians, also for the most part truly lazy and thieving, not only don't say that, they actively try to convince us we need to keep up their ridiculous privileges, 'for democracy'.

[@earnitstew7609]

hahaha...good point. Not any but many.

[@FlavorMint]

Come to Kenya 🇰🇪 and see what politicians do to locals. They even pass laws for them to remain on the payroll until they die - all these on the taxpayers 🤦. Here the inequality is real. What a shame.

[@anasmoukhlis791]

astonished by the quality of this documentaries, you truly can be able to hold a broad overview and yet explain a complex issue, bravo guys

[@luissch8750]

anas moukhlis actually it’s just a German documentary that’s very well translated The documentary itself is made by WDR

[@jamesmorton7881]

Donald J Trump. . . . . .Y O U A R E F I R ED. GO BERNIE JUST S A Y NO - - - - - - T O O L D J O E BERNIE IS CHANGE WITH A BRAIN 👍👍 BERNIE KNOWS EXACTLY WHO HOW, & WHY THE MIDDLE CLASS IS BEING G U T T E D CAPITALISM IS GREAT FOR THE TOP 10% 😒😒😒😒😒 FREE MARKETS ARE A DREAM, SO GET OVER IT MILTON FRIEDMAN WAS FULL OF SH___ GREED DEMOCRACY IN GOV & THE WORK PLACE👍👍👍👍 COMBAT NEOLIBERALISM IN AMERICA VOTE B E R N I E S A N D E R S 2020 😊😊😊😊😊😊 F D R FIXED THE ECONOMY * * * BERNIE CAN DO IT TO ❤❤❤❤ AOC in 2024

[@amitkumar-sz6ze]

This can only be made by a public broadcaster like DW, not paid by these rich but by public

[@nb8947]

Yes it's amazing, every public broadcaster should be highlighting this trend. Disenfranchised youth leads to communism or fascism and the death of millions. Only 100 years later history will be repeating itself. This time with nuclear arms. Tax wealth and fund social services to save us from destruction.

[@hhunter4900]

@@luissch8750 kkbkbkbkbkbkbkkbkbkbkkbkbkbkb0bkbkbkbkbkbkbkbkbkkbkbkbkbkbkbbkkkbkbkbkbjkbkbjkbkbkbkb00kb0kbggggggggg

[@krazYFaic]

I think its nice of Mr Groener to agree to this knowing he might be portrayed as the bad guy. Thank you DW that was a great documentary series.

[@isabelab3194]

He suffers from grandomania, of course he agreed to appear.

[@kimberleyhunter6815]

I don't think Groener is the bad guy though. Just that he doesn't see that he is and that he is forcing many people to leave a city that they love and have always lived in.

[@DMahalko]

Charity events and philanthropic foundations are used by the ultra-rich to have fawning press releases and justify their extreme wealth: "Look how awesome we are." But people in need should not have to constantly beg and genuflect in front of the ultra-rich for the pittance they toss out.

[@kimberleyhunter6815]

@@jimisjoint I don't disagree with you.

[@joanblond8527]

The naysayers here should come up with workable ways of generating real wealth instead of hot air. Groener creates housing. He is making a positive contribution to livings standards. The people here who attack him need to come up with better ways to generate affordable housing before anyone can take them seriously. There are housing shortages in every major city in the world; most of these shortages are due to idiocies like zoning restrictions and price controls.

[@garryc.7209]

OK, I have watched all three episodes in one evening and clicked thumb-up using all my KZbin accounts. I wish more people could see it and understand what really caused the problems at the root. But given the recommendation algorithm of KZbin, I sadly doubt it... Idea for a new Doku: "The harm of customized information".

[@MissSladousek]

Agree agree and agree 👍 Also 😂 at your first sentence.

[@MrAnperm]

I agree

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

👍🏿

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Me too, watched all three and been sharing them out all over the place. Good series, very informative

[@aparson2967]

You just admitted to having more than one KZbin account. You might want to edit that one line before they prioritize closing an otherwise great comment.

[@StephiSensei26]

After having watched all 3 of 3 segments of this documentary series, I am astonished at how deep the DW team digs, to get at the core of the problem, thereby permitting the viewer to make (or not) an educated judgement. In the States we have 60 minutes once a week. They too do a fairly good job, but it's never really a this depth. It's more like being exposed to the subject, like canapés at a cocktail party. But DW simply puts it all on the table, hands you the fork and the plate, and says "Dig In"! Bravo!

[@BlauerBooo]

Deutsche Welle did the job to translate this film into English - it was researched and produced by the regional public German broadcast WDR (West German Broadcast - basically the regional programme of the state of North Rhine Westphalia - the different regional broadcasts cooperate to contribute to the first public federal programme ARD, which is financed by a broadcast fee every citizen has to pay for).

[@anatolyzagordan9757]

Absolutely agree

[@chrilin5107]

Agree, and it is something we are all sort of aware of, but as the subject is not presented openly and in debt in mainstream debate. Or explained properly. Division and populism is growing. This series is important and should be showed in schools etc. To counteract easy answers, quick fixes, scapegoating etc..

[@StephiSensei26]

@@chrilin5107 Quite right! Thank you for your reply.

[@Treysorable]

The dream is gone. He works at Siemens and lives in an apartment the size of some college schmuck.

[@TheBigdaddyforreal]

hang on brother, use it as motivation.

[@camillewhite1055]

why? Should he be making more as an EE? Or is the true problem the price of real estate and rent?

[@Treysorable]

People on covid relief unemployment outearn him from the couch, and he actually has an important job and career.

[@Treysorable]

@@camillewhite1055 literally. ever changing gas, water, electricity and milk prices while minimum wage goes up about $1 a year. 😅

[@fourthz4460]

Thats why you should never have children to begin with. Instead you save as much money as you possibly can and go live in Thailand, Andorra or a mexican island (where cost of living and taxes are like 10 times less than in developed countries like the US or Germany)

[@anandmishra5342]

I'm glad you uploaded We love this series..money power ..wealth. inequality.. please upload more videos on this topic. Thanks once again.. keep it up You will have millions subscribe soon

[@alexandersundukov3196]

The only solution to their problems - WORK

[@kong023]

@non important some work hard but can't reach. Some are rich since there were born because their ancestors left huge money for them

[@nickj12]

non important this series focuses on Germany and they completely disagree with you...except for the rich CEO, that is.

[@svizzy4270]

I agree on work, but you need to change the playingfield. What has to be done is to throw out every non-citizen. This will create a labour shortage which gives the employee the upper hand at the negotiation table. Currently, everbody is replacable. My solution will make employers beg their employees to stay. This solution will obvious free up the housing market as well. I do run multiple businesses myself and i also rent out a lot of property, this solution would without a doubt diminish my profits, but that's ok. It's my Volk first, not monetary gains.

[@Andobando111]

This is a really important documentary, specially because as they mention at the beginning of each episode, Germany seems from the outside a place with no struggles that offers equals opportunities to its whole population. This shows us another perspective: that no matter the country, economical struggle and social classes are mostly the same everywhere.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Alejandro, Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts on the matter. Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@robbenvanpersie1562]

Yes

[@chrilin5107]

@@DWDocumentary I think this series can really help people all across the world to connect the dots. To understand why it is that politicians are finding it difficult to, for instance, provide affordable housing. Why prices go up. The continuous boom n bust cycles. If we remove the rights of money creation from the private banking sector and place that in the hands of public national banks with the aim to investing it for the public good. Politicians could be held accountable much easier than some investment banker from Singapore. If malpractice or negligence is found etc. This series was very good, many thanks to you all.

[@soupflood]

Things didn't change ever since the Roman empire, only the technology.

[@laurap239]

actually things are like this since the end of hunter-gatherers and the beginning of agriculture.

[@laurap239]

@Something Something well actually the Jesuits were founded in 1534.

[@angelamagnus6615]

The need to dominate in men

[@brittanyohslon]

Preach

[@benjantzen8910]

Yep, it’s biblical. “What does it benefit a man to gain the whole world, only to lose his soul/everlasting life given by God.”

[@smallstudiodesign]

I worked briefly for a woman who use to gouge everyone down on the price and wages (including me). One day, recognizing her jacket, I remarked, “ ... lovely outfit ..” She gleefully, replied, “... you like it?! It’s Ralph Lauren!” I replied, “ yes, I know. I’ve seen it. It’s more than our monthly wage.”

[@chijiokemadubuko9004]

Really smart

[@svizzy4270]

We should throw out everyone who has no citizenship and ban migration fully. Creating a shortage of labour would be the best thing for employees ever, from the simplest up to the best jobs. This is the only way to put the worker in a position to have the upper hand at the negotiation table. Btw. i run multiple businesses and this would put me in a worse position, but Volk first. Also, this would free up the housing market greatly.

[@mvalthegamer2450]

@@svizzy4270 That will just make the problem worse. Why would anyone make a product in Germany anymore

[@k3kboi665]

@@mvalthegamer2450 because nobody makes anything better than germany.

[@chrilin5107]

@@svizzy4270 did you pay attention to the content? I'm not attacking you, simply asking. I found this 3 part series very enlightening and important. Because it gives an easy to understand view into the very negative impact of global finance. The increasing inequality and frightening amounts of currency and debt as opposed to the value of anything real. This system is also prone to speculation and major crashes. I would like all young people around the world to get to see this as part of their sociology/economy education. So they can understand how capital, private banking, investment firms etc rule our world. That politicians are left with very small budgets and opportunities to change and provide public goods because of this sick system. Black Rock having more cash to splash than Germany, the UK and US combined. It is not immigration or migration...it is All the extreme, unfathomable, amounts of money swirling around, in speculation, to keep increasing the riches of the rich. You don't create nearly as high profits from production of anything physical as you can playing on the market...so on. That is a big issue. Sure property is sought after as it is comparatively safe and longterm but international investors will not stop demanding as high returns as possible and start caring about the people who are looking for a house. Nor will the majority of people just agree to start paying more for a mobile phone or pair of trainers...many can't either because we are in this loop already. Nor will the investors that bought the factory accept much lower returns to support wage increases. Politicians cannot address the housing issue and build affordable homes. Because the super rich demand higher returns. And firms like Mr Groner's must also seek investors and therefore promise high returns = not build affordable housing. A resolution could start with taking back the power to create money from the private banking sector and place it with public national banks that then can invest in public goods like affordable housing. Then politicians can also be held accountable for any malpractice or negligence. As opposed to trying to chase down some investment firm in Asia, to seek repairs for a chemical leak etc. Finally those that you suggest move would then have to find housing in another area..on our planet. That is not solving anything it's moving. And you're talking about people. If there's a sudden extreme flood, a sinkhole swallowed your house (hope not) or perhaps some conflict breaking out where you live that meant you could not stay ...would you not want to be welcomed into whatever new area of our world you had to go to? To find new friends, learn the language, have a safe place to stay, so you could keep your family safe, sleep, start working and rebuild your life. Even if you lost everything. I really cannot understand why so many people are against people moving around our planet. Non of us really own it. I know we drew maps, made lines between this area and that, that you can own property etc. I also very much believe in community and local action etc. But my belief is that we are all of this earth, we have always migrated. Sometimes for trade, or seeking better circumstances or fleeing violence, natural disasters etc. Through prehistory until now and people migrating is likely only set to increase, especially climate migration. I do understand what you mean. Just cannot see how it would solve anything. If the workers got higher wages, then the prices of the products would go up to still satisfy investors and they may not be competitive. Considering how much of production is already set in low wage locations. And so on. This is not a problem caused by the average people, migrants or those who trace their family back to a specific area for some time. This is a systematic process that is causing suffering for the many so a tiny few can achieve riches that are to great to almost fathom. But there are more of us and if we avoid division and infighting we can solve it.

[@kiranpals]

While I watch this, BlackRock has almost 7trillion in assets. A trillion more since this video was posted. How crazy is that ?

[@cboy0394]

AUM (Assets under management). They don't "have" they "hold on" to in order to manage for their clients/investors.

[@TheRuNNeRs22]

False, they don't have 7 trillion in assets. It's mostly because they are the cheapest etf provider. So the money is specail assets. I buy one etf world share, BlackRock executes the order an the share get's to a trustee and he hold's it for me. And now the say it's Blackrocks assets, but everybody knows thats not true. The documentation creators probably knew it, but left it out, to make it sound more dramatic.

[@KatariaGujjar]

They manage assets for others. The 7 trillion of assets is owned by others but managed by BlackRock. Their actual assets were $160billions in 2018 and going down.

[@Qumeric]

It is 9 now.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

@ Kiran Pal Sagoo : Black Rock 8 trillion in assets, Apple 2 trillion and Saudi Aramco 1 trillion have the highest assets. And you probably have bought Apple phones so your comment would be ironic :-)

[@calvin-]

What makes this the most difficult is the given person's economic situation. What I mean is, if you are wealthy, you want to keep the status quo. If you are not, you want it changed. Yes it's obvious, but if someone lower class moves up, they will now want to maintain their wealth. To sum it up, poor people don't want to be poor, but when they're rich, they want to stay rich.

[@zsoltkatona3148]

Two words: class struggle

[@vpnconsult]

Actually it's the wealthy in this series making a better word. The poor politician wants to block new houses from being build, while the rich guy invests and puts all his effort to creates homes for thousands.

[@annar6294]

@@vpnconsult If you mean the thousands of rich then yes. It's not a problem that the rich guy is building property and wants to profit, that's fine, the problem is that those properties are unaffordable for average working people. There's lot of new properties being build in London for example and sometimes they even call it affordable housing but it's a joke, it's not affordable to averge person only the rich. Personally I don't think it's normal that someone working a full time job, whatever that job may be is not able to afford to rent a studio flat by themselves, and that's the situation where I live. I'm not talking luxury here, just a standard studio flat. Flat shares are good for students not working adults and too many single working people are forced to live in shared accomodation.

[@griseld]

@@annar6294 Where do you live?? Same situation here in Italy

[@annar6294]

@@griseld I'm in the UK and the prices are only getting worse. Unfortunately I live not far from London so that doesn't help.

[@landlord5552]

Here in Åland/Finland no foregners cant buy real estate, that because I can afford 160m2 house just for 75k€

[@prodrivebrasil]

That's great! More countries should do the same!

[@landlord5552]

You can buy house here after registred and pay taxes here. Yes I think it is smart, otherwise rich russians or chinese can buy whole our Archipelago Aland at once.

[@andrewfrolov893]

Maybe because of extremely cold climate, low wages, high taxes and enemployment in Finland?

[@hlynurstefansson9947]

I think foreigners should be allowed to buy houses anywhere (as long as they build them !) Property investing is bad for everyone, just pulling cash out of the middle class and draining the real economy, wealth transfer. Prices have been going up into non-affordable levels in Iceland, fueled by bank loans.

[@landlord5552]

@@andrewfrolov893 wrong

[@SergeyYakimenko]

12:58 What he is actually saying - thank you all for sacrificing your lives and your families for the rich to get richer. And everybody is smiling and applauding. Just unbelievable. Looks like total madness. Very, very good film. Thank you DW.

[@kerenpooh5314]

Facts!

[@smode983]

The guy fully neglects his kids for wealth. Yet when they are adults he will tell himself that he was a good parent because "Look how wealthy my kids are!" Ignoring the fact that he handed them the money and it has nothing to do with success. Meanwhile his kids would probably give anything to live at home with their Mom and Dad. But that would be inconvenient for them. It's disgusting.

[@chrilin5107]

Yes, great translation, sadly. Also found it very sad how "true" his joke; getting his minions to step aside so he could be centre stage, is. He is really trying hard at projecting self awareness of his own importance and taking it lightly...same with him actually queueing to get onto the plane😯. But then again that was already obvious from ep 2. Where he admits to that we shouldn't help support under performers. He clearly justifies all by him being a high performance, hard working, guy...see I can justify all of it. I can laugh about pressuring a politician, seeking to do better and protect the population he serves, for not having the guts to sign "what he's supposed to" sign. Loved the reply from the man representing the green party; no I think it is precisely because I do have the guts that I am not signing. Good on you Florian and I hope you get to keep your home.

[@isaaksteshman9879]

@@chrilin5107 so, why is it so astonishingly obvious that the green-guy who tries to stand for the people's interests against the profit lust of that Groener is so underpaid that he doesn't have his own living-space, trying to survive on that low municipal salary and constantly seizing the temptation of being bribed!The government should take more care in financing people who work for the people it's in the direct government's advantage and democracy! In the end that so called high-performer will find one way or the other to push for his permit cause this green-guy seems to be the only warrior in the field! Yeah, the rich get richer and buy the politics whereas poor get poorer and there are less and less representatives who could fight for their interests and i'm not talking about the populists of different shades. There's a solution for the inequality after all, tax the rich more and see that the extra taxes could built the affordable realty and keep the jobs, denounce the off-shores and make the corporation's money be invested within the country!

[@thecrimsondragon9744]

He is a mentally unhealthy person living an extreme and unhealthy lifestyle. It worries me that we have put the fate of future generations into the hands of people like this. No wisdom, no empathy, no compassion...

[@ayhaynina3034]

Please make affordable living space. It is true that inequality is eternal, but at least make the standard of the poorest people to be still have a job and a decent living space.

[@sd-xk7qr]

Why would they do that when the banks, hedge funds, VCs and other institutional investers can just order their bootlickers at central banks to print infinite amount of money out of thin air? And then with that money they buy up real world assets and get richer and richer without adding anything of value to the real world. They will then control all the narratives through media (spoiler they already do) to get more and more powerful.

[@chrilin5107]

Agree...we need change. If more people knew how the system works against them and only benefits a tiny percentage...if we prevented private banking from having the right to create money and instead gave this power to public national banks. They would be able to direct investments into public goods such as affordable housing or helping small businesses or start-ups etc. But we, the people, must act. We must spread the knowledge and act for change. Protest and not give up.

[@billcranston3882]

The view count drops from part 1 to part 3, but that's a shame because it gets better. What a well-done documentary. And kudos to Christoph Gröner for making himself accessible to potentially hostile cameras. We all rail against the wealth of "Fortune 500 CEOs", but how many of us are willing to give up our regular 24/7 life and devote it to our job?

[@CourtneySchwartz]

Actually, more than you’d think, but not everybody gets that choice. Lots of people are working two jobs with not remotely the same benefits.

[@chrilin5107]

@@CourtneySchwartz agree and that was just what I was going to say

[@chrilin5107]

I have worked 12 h shifts ongoing, as a single mother, just to keep up....so with my own assistant, a driver etc. I would take his job and build some affordable and sustainable housing. Call me Mr Groner

[@jarodarmstrong509]

@@chrilin5107 So why haven't you done it? Why aren't you developing new properties at a minimal profit margin?

[@pippoespera3626]

People in the comments section seem not to understand what this documentary explains. We live in a system with the goal of making the inherited richest richer, it's fixed, that is the whole aim of the system. It's a system organized to make the inherited richest richer and consequently, the inherited poorest poorer. That is the system we live in. That is because the more money you inherit, the more money you'll make (investors/Blackrock/financialization), the system works in their favour. The documentary presents a self-made rich to make you understand that it's not for him that the system works, but for his investors, the richest inherited fortunes. He is just an exception as we all know. He works for them actually, and the system is rigged in favour of the richest inherited fortunes. I knew 'meritocracy' was BS in comparison to inherited capital, but not at this level, I know understand the whole cycle. It's so fixed that this is sick, we are going nowhere, it's the most unfair economic system possible. Even if a green or 'radical'-left political party does things in favour of the people, like rising taxes and building budget apartments for regular people, they would end up losing because while other jurisdictions earn more, their jurisdictions won't, and their people won't, so they'll end up going nowhere. You could live in the most educated place in the world, it won't mean much if you don't have the inherited richest investing in your place. The capitalist system has always worked kind of like this, but now, with this level of financialization, it's fixed. At the same time this is not going to go on forever. Not forever. Besides, there is something intrinsically sick built in the model seeing where things are going. We need a step up or bust. We need a step up.

[@p.b4287]

I do agree with you, but Dictators are never a solution. Global problems require global solutions to protect each local market from predators as these investors. First of all, we need to stop repeating the stupid cliche that we all can be rich if we want to. This is simply impossible.

[@Trgn]

Its never fair to begin with

[@Kauffman578]

You are spot on. The multigenerational cabalist central banking families own the world by assets. People like bill gates, jeff bezos are puppets in their game for distraction and obfuscation.

[@InfinityStone-fj2mr]

pippo espera it proves Capitol ism need adjustment in order to work such not allowing the rich to move their money around in order not to have to give back. Especially those in real estate and retail like Amazon.

[@ScarletEdge]

@@p.b4287 Dictators are not solution. 100% agree. But what these giga investors do is creating radicalized people. It's a machine that eventually make the system so rigged and enforced poor class won't be able to do a thing or poor people will step up and we all know what is going to happen when that happens (1933 or 1917 anyone?)

[@victornderu143]

38:33 I cant help but notice East and West Germany in these maps. Looks like the cold war had it's Long term impact on the society as well. Great work DW.

[@grapefives7762]

Jesus christ I didn't notice that

[@alex.fernando]

that was the first thing I realized

[@Junakase]

That is true, the unification of Germany is a project which is still ongoing. The gap between east and west is an issue in many areas and does come up frequently, even today.

[@samuelzamozny763]

True. Look what people vote for in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. Also here in czech its disaster :( Only in Praha people vote normaly, in coutryside they vote for populist or leftist.

[@soupflood]

Ww2 and cold war left healing wounds throughout every country on earth.

[@mysticaltyger2009]

This was more intelliegent and balanced than anything you get in the American media.

[@pennyoflaherty1345]

Maybe if Medias weren’t So ‘ politically influenced ‘ with money that never was theirs you wouldn’t have all this !!

[@Shirolicious]

The problem is that ordinary people are driven out of their cities because rich people buy out all the apartments etc and all that is left for ordinary people is to rent spaces. The more obvious solution would be to balance this out where investors can invest but only in limited spaces, and there should be sufficient space for ordinary people to affort a house themselves. Banks should contribute in this part, so ordinary people can buy properties, not just investors. And politicians have a duty to the ordinary people to create laws that make this happen.

[@chrilin5107]

They should make laws prohibiting private banking from money creation and lay that privilege in the hands of public national banks that would still make profit but be regulated and for supporting the public good. Affordable housing, investment in education, health and social care, small businesses etc.

[@frmlsshrmn]

Excellent work, DW! I have never watched a documentary so engrossing in its simplicity and honesty. You have a new subscriber!

[@alextrezvy6889]

People have to realize the fundamental difference between forgeable and non-forgeable resources. Cars, bicycles, food, clothes are forgeable resources. They can be created in any reasonable amount. While land, forest, river, lake are non-forgeable (and maybe also money when we talk about the 'cost of money'). They can't be created by people. So they have to be traded and treated differently than forgeable resources. Speaking about "fair market competition" while holding the control over substantial non-forgeable resources is a hypocrisy. It's like taking away the oxygen from others and then selling it in a baloons.

[@taylenday]

Absolutely great documentary. My hat's off to you.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @TAYLEN DAY, Many thanks! Glad you liked it and thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@anacarolinarosalino]

10:48 being a politician does not mean having any preference ... just in Germany ... come to Brazil ..

[@garysara969]

This KZbin Channel from Germany "DW" broadcast service is very good, maybe as good as the BBC. They should garner more attention for especially Continental European news.

[@ericshang7744]

BBC is good on somethings, then completely biased on others. from what I see, DW has the ability to see from above, to see all sides. all some media, such as Fox news, Sky News australia, is completely biased.

[@mark2000715]

BBC is worst lefties propagada tool.

[@MrAnperm]

DW is more objective than the BBC. The BBC is too PC.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

Especially more for Continental news ? They are a German state funded TV that yu can have in many countries in Europe

[@invisuu6280]

I like how the rich guy is wearing a watch ( AP RO) that's worth close to the appartment the politican has to rent, because he can't afford it.

[@eugenetkachev]

This politician has also probably never built a house, started a business or employed people.

[@burgerplace9764]

@Jane Doe doesn’t make it wrong.

[@rhards]

@Jane Doe why? a politician doesn't even deserve a place to sleep.

[@sunnydavies3990]

@@eugenetkachev True but he also wasn't born into an elite rich background and given every opportunity like the rich guy

[@eugenetkachev]

@@sunnydavies3990 Victim mentality is strong in you.

[@paulhang3550]

Mr. Schmit is right. The land property should be owned by one who live. Not for people who want to extract the profit. I love his words.

[@ShidaiTaino]

non important so if you fail it’s your fault only

[@paulhang3550]

@Akash Guha Thakurata It's fine but they have to accept the consequences.

[@nynnn8697]

If you want to own a property, buy it.

[@politicallyincorrect2564]

buy it then or move to another area

[@viataculouie91]

The problem here is the price of said property. If I don't have enough money to buy a property how should we handle renting.

[@riturao6565]

Christof Gruner, I would love to meet him one day, he is damn intelligent and genius, there is lot to learn from him. He should do Ted talk

[@steveperreira5850]

Most certainly he is very intelligent, but nevertheless the concentration of resources and authority in one person is not a healthy thing for any situation. The rest of us are not stupid compared to him, many of us are much more brilliant, but we have no voice whatsoever, because we are not pushy bullies. Myself, I am a little bit weary of hearing about pushy people who got rich. They don’t interest me much at all. I prefer brilliant people with great ideas, whether or not they are rich or poor. I learned most of my useful knowledge from Scientists and engineers, none of which were millionaires. I know a lot of millionaires and I have learned very little from them. Just saying now, because I don’t want you to get the wrong impression, I am a strong believer in capitalism, but not an advocate for concentration of wealth.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

@@steveperreira5850 you are the socialist, communist or anarchist bound to repeat the same errors as in all marxist countries in human history. Let me guess, you are Portuguese perhaps, 40 years of mostly socialist politicians in power in Portugal and still one of the poorest countries in Europe, while many Portuguese fled to ultra capitalist countries like Luxembourg. You voted nearly 40 years for the problems you have in Portugal, same goes for Wallonia in Belgium or Spain, Greece, etc.

[@llVIU]

12 months for some building permit. It's obvious that it's an artificial waiting period. The mayor wants to meet the rich guy and the rich guy knew that's why he immediately said "I want to meet the mayor", he was used to it. Meet the mayor, give him some money, the mayor magically gets the permit.

[@busysaru888]

Obviously they need to have the development while keeping the families of modest means in the same location. They develop the fancy new buildings in a mixed use and income level kind of way. You can't financially cannibalize society for profit as that consequentially impoverishes and destabilizes it. It has to be a national rule so all can prosper. Otherwise it's sociopathic and you will eventually have the Yellow Vest-type strikes they have in France.

[@sashaspano588]

all these multi-millionaires and billionaires in germany, yet no wealth tax. ridiculous.

[@p.b4287]

Out of watching the 3 documentaries of this series, I make this summary to put ideas in order. Please correct me if needed by letting a comment: Inequality and the present economy where investors decide over elected governments are causing the collapse of the present world order. People know their vote is virtually useless and that their taxes are financing a leading class that does not decide on their regard, therefore useless. This should not be this way, but this change is recent and political changes come much slower than the investor's dynamics all over the world. Dictators would only enter the game becoming investors themselves to perpetuate in power. They have their own elite to provide for and their own masters and goals. The greatest asset of democracy is the fact that elected governments are not meant to stay in power without opposition and until they fall down. Which is the solution? Common sense tells that only a multinational institution can regulate a multinational group of investors. They are making profits on different systems of legal gaps around the world. I wish I could see more in this subject, that must not be new at all for experts. But I lack the knowledge to understand further. Thank you, DW! Very interesting video!

[@nayanmalig]

Those are symptoms - the disease was germinated in 1971 when Nixon wen off the gold standard - before 1971 there were no private billionaires who could snap up international assets like hot cakes

[@DanielHoffmanddhoffman]

I agree that this series definitely suggests a positive impact of global regulation. Ironically, the populist movements on both sides of the spectrum are focused on local and grass root initiatives. The working class (aka Proletariat) are challenging the political class with movements on the far right and far left, but as the documentary mentions -- revolution isn't too far off if we continue to segregate ourselves. The danger is that revolution leaves vacuums, and those who will fill them won't have the interest of the average person at heart.

[@langatemmanuel7359]

Great analysis

[@kingsleymanzeke1279]

How bout we all go for communism

[@tsuba14]

multinational institutions are often corrupted by the multinational investor class. not sure I agree.

[@user-fb6hy2eh5y]

I prefer to support over-educated politicians with less than perfect teeth, wearing oversized clothing, living in modest apartments, and taking public transportation.

[@leonreaper90]

We live in a plutocracy.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

still way better than under a socialist or communist state

[@jimisjoint]

This is the scariest thing I have ever seen. We are screwed as a species. Great documentary.

[@rec1962]

@@MrJetMango lol corona

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

Never in the history of humanity have more people been wealthier than nowadays. You live in the most privileged time since the dawn of humanity and so do the majority of people (500 years ago : you would have been a slave of nobles, daily working like a work horse, trying to survive and have food and water until the next week and you would fear wars every decade)

[@TheBerserk69]

@@THEREALZENFORCE That's because of technology, not this pluto-kleptocracy. The world has indeed become wealthier despited of it, not because of it.

[@BoltHardcheese]

"Everybody knows the fight is fixed. The poor stay poor, the rich get rich. That's how it goes, Everybody knows." - Leonard Cohen

[@vpnconsult]

Isn't Leonard Cohen a poor guy who got rich? He created incredibly beautiful musical value for the world.

[@letlotlomache1448]

Excellent content from DW Documentary as always. Quite enjoyed watching this!

[@youshallnotpass2156]

Well its only a translation from a german docu

[@HarukiYamamoto]

This is a 'German quality' documentary. Many thanks from a peasant in Kampala.

[@Giorgio825]

Don't call yourself a peasant brother, you become what you think you are!

[@HarukiYamamoto]

Georg The academic description of peasant. Not the derogatory version.

[@jrothstein1472]

I’d watch many more series like this one if you guys made them. Captivating, well done.

[@djdahous]

Conflict of interests... Politicians must keep their independence from Business. When Business interferes in Politics, this is often not good. Corrupt or brainwashed Politicians do not serve the people. Constitution laws must prevent these conflicts of interest. Constitution laws must also prevent significant Money concentration to avoid the risk of Political contamination.

[@minuteman21]

How we must fix the system if the politicians are already corrupted?

[@chrilin5107]

Or if the politicians already haven't got the means to get the public goods needed and depend on private finance? Having to either beg or bend over backwards to get some affordable housing into the planning of largely luxury housing...

[@gmi2053]

Brilliant works. Helped me to have a deeper insight and understanding of the world. Thanks for your hard works.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi gi min, Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. We're glad you found the documentary so interesting. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss the latest updates. You might also like to check out our Human Nature & Society playlist for more insights into social issues around the world - here's a link: kzbin.info/aero/PLovlAKbQVz6Bp4ee317J-w05CZa7iYttf All the best, The DW Documentary Team

[@N0Xa880iUL]

@@DWDocumentary Best channel damn. Even gives more tailored recommendations in the comments! Thanks for the playlist. Take a bow.

[@cccPaKYccc]

I mean that woman ad 36:00 got pregnant when she was 17 and she has nice apartment. I mean she doesn't have a lot of money because she didn't have time to earn a lot of money.

[@mysticaltyger2009]

Agreed. She made a crappy life for herself. There's a rason that 50 years ago, women like her were pressured into giving kids up for adoption. They keep making the same bad decisions over and over and then complain that their lives suck. They say they want better for their kids, but their actions don't back that up.

[@persikii8020]

Everyday I ask myself. What I’m going to learn today? Thank you for the great documentary, I hope you have more documentaries like this and make us understand the real world

[@NaumRusomarov]

I've been impatiently waiting for this part since you posted Ep. 1 a few months ago. Excellent documentary.

[@VinyZikss]

I feel like inequality will only get worse in the near future. Once most jobs are automated thats it. We will have the ones who own the "robots" and the ones struggling.

[@mukkaar]

Automation should be really good for people, but with fundamental financial and social systems broken it's just going to fatten pockets of selected few. We are already failing to compensate for inflation and stagnant wages, I can just imagine how bad it will be with advanced AI and automation.

[@steveperreira5850]

If you had as much experience as I do with the building industry, and there is not a single thing regarding building a house that I have not done myself, you would understand that if we had automation by means of robots and such in the building industry, we could get the cost of housing way down. As an engineer I am familiar with the housing industry that I am involved with now and the automotive industry to some extent, and if automobiles were built like houses, An ordinary car would cost $1 million.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

make less children and the problem of jobs for the future is less worse

[@chrilin5107]

@@mukkaar should is the word of significance sadly

[@chrilin5107]

@@THEREALZENFORCE as far as I understand that's already the trend.

[@veganinvasion7701]

Brilliant in every way. Concept. Characters. Research. Angles. Superb cinematography too. Much needed antidote to the usual propaganda. Thank you.

[@Kai-kl6fe]

Inequality, but don't forget he has been working 160 hour workweeks for decades to be where he is at and people doing 40 or less are judging him.

[@harimendoza]

I finally agree in how my tv tax is spent. Great content DW. Greatings from a single parent looking for a long term WG in Berlin because can't afford an apartment on his own.

[@vpnconsult]

I hope you now see how politicians are blocking new housing, which makes the price go up, or make waiting lines longer.

[@harimendoza]

He's not blocking new HOUSING. They are blocking GENTRIFICATION. A bunch of high end condos unaffordable for the middle class that end up getting sold to shady people that never live in there. As we know now, often as a way to laundry Russian or Chinese illegal money.

[@chrilin5107]

@@vpnconsult you cannot see the connection still? Locked in to your ideas. Both the politician and Mr Groner attended that property investment meetup and both were seeking funding for their projects. By offering higher returns (means higher rent or purchase price) I'm sure it is easier for him to attract investors than a politician seeking investors for building affordable housing and offering a lower return. If she had access to a public bank that issued loans at a lower rate for public goods, still ensuring profitability (but not trying to feed the insatiable) it would make her job very doable.

[@chrilin5107]

@@harimendoza spot on, just like in London or many other places round the world. Housing is seen as safe longterm investments, but investors still want as much bang for their buck as possible. So affordable housing makes no sense for investors and local politicians don't have access to money creation/finance via public national banks that could help solve the problem and still be profitable. Then the housing needed in the area could be built - not overly expensive investment products that aren't available for average people to rent or buy.

[@chrilin5107]

Good luck 🍀

[@glowbright]

GERMANY : Welcome to the land of economic inequality... USA : Hold my beer.

[@joaomiguel6220]

DW, This is such a good channel! Absolutely great content! A must watch!

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Joao Miguel, Glad you think so! Thanks for watching and feel free tell your friends about us. :-) Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@drethekiller]

This documentary is great! It truly shows the nuances of inequality in Germany in a realistic way.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @drethekiller, thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@linmal2242]

In Australia voting is COMPULSORY. You get a fine if you have not voted, so everybody votes!

[@susmoys]

thank you DW for this high-quality documentary. You guys are the best in research and finding the important topics. Keep the good works coming.

[@mwa1254]

I love the apartment Florian and his family live in! I’ve stayed in very similar apartments when visiting Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. They’ve got a great feel to them. I live in a new build apartment in Manchester, UK and I’d swap it for one like Florian’s in a heartbeat! I’ve also visited Kassel (however that was in a campsite by the river, very near a beautiful park called Aue Park), and Bremen (although I stayed in a district outside the centre called Vegesack, and that was in a beautiful house, dog sitting for a friends cousin!) It’s the only foreign country I’ve visited and felt at home in! If I ever make the effort to learn the German language to a proficient/ fluent level, I’d definitely consider moving there to live and work. Granted, I’m basing all of this on an aggregate time of approximately month, but it’s how I feel! “Ich liebe Deutschland!” P.S. You’ve done it again DW. You’re Documentaries are always of such high quality covering super relevant and important topics. “Ich liebe DW too!”

[@ObserverDingue]

An Excellent 3 part series, thank you @DW Documentary. The most worrying part for me was the movement of wealth from the real economy to the financial economy. From parity in the 1970s to a 1 to 4 disparity today. That was a very stark illustration (about 27:15) as it correlates with political disenfranchisement (37:45). And as power moves with the wealth then we enter a vicious cycle. The super rich live in their own segregated society and extract ever more wealth from 99% of society. Politics will be become powerless in its own right as their decision making becomes fully captured by the dominant interest of the tiny segregated super rich. Eventually the 1% elite decide that the democratic system is too inefficient for their interests and they will take direct control = fascism, or some modern fascistic variant. This is what the power behind Trump was playing with when the USA witnessed an attempted coup d'etat to overturn Biden's election victory. It was just a test. I think that country is beyond hope in terms of representative democracy. Now American democracy is mananged and more or less a simulation. This is the warning, before our eyes, that Europe must wake up to and react positively to. Global warming means that we will not have a second chance as we did after the 1940s. Sadly, after watching the (thankfully failed) American coup attempt I'm not optimistic. Or at least it was very anxiety-inducing. But it helps to have the issues so clearly documented as by this series.

[@chrilin5107]

Absolutely agree and I am very afraid too because so many have either given up, aren't connecting the dots or worse are locked into their eco chambers of disinformation. But series such as this gives me hope. If only it was part of every curriculum in every school and in general more discussed and well known. I am all for taking away the rights of the private banking sector to create money and also bubbles...imagine if the next financial crisis concurs with more division, conflict, supply chain disruption, and climate migration...etc😱 Money creation should be in a public good, held by national public banks, so investment could be directed efficiently towards affordable and sustainable housing and other public goods not to create more profit for a few. We need to change a lot more but this would be a great 1st step.

[@Smart_DJ_Bro]

Mr. Gruner hugs everyone he meets, never seen this in businessmen before. Love the honesty of Mr. Gruner, Reporter- Do you feel powerful? Mr. Gruner- Yes. Reporter- Who is more powerful you or polititions Mr. Gruner- I (Business managers)

[@northofyou33]

He's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[@МагжанСыдыков]

Brothers and sisters, read Marx and Lenin to understand what is really going on. If some party promises to bring you to a better life before voting for it make sure it is going to solve your (formulated) problems and needs.

[@benethgalan1063]

Needs a strong political leader to regulate business managers and ends up inequality

[@Kid_Kootenay]

He talks like everyone has millions of dollars and can get everything they want and do everything they want to do. Most of us don't experience that

[@mariuszfurman6531]

"A democracy cannot work if people doesn't vote". Does it now if so many people doesn't want to vote?

[@Kauffman578]

Democracy is an illusion of choice. The hagelion dialectic.

[@mysticaltyger2009]

Yeah, democracy already isn't working. I"m not sure the solution is not voting, though. But I will say voting, all by itself, is not enough. That is very clear.

[@chrilin5107]

@@mysticaltyger2009 agree it's not enough we all need to act and make demands plus hold them accountable

[@Rafa-gp6lx]

Socialism is the solution! We should consider examples like North Korea, Venezuela, and Cuba, where everyone is equally impoverished, this is the solution!! In contrast, capitalism, as exemplified by Germany, USA…, may not seem appealing to those from socialist paradises where all are equally poor. Maybe poor person in North Korea, Cuba, or Venezuela lives better than a poor person in Germany…

[@dobriltanev9722]

He said: We need cheap money! So He LITERALLY wants other to give up a part of their profit,so He can make more money Himself. A man of the people indeed...

[@fjordhellas4077]

What an excellent report! Thank you DW from Norway. This trend of seeing the super rich running our economies is sneaking in and becoming more present in Norway.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Fjord Hellas, thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts on the topic.

[@yousufsoomro7003]

Wait.. I thought that norway was the best country in the world.

[@chrilin5107]

Not only Norway's changing it's a global problem and only growing. Unless we stop it. Money creation should not be in the hands of the private banking sector but held by public national banks that then could direct investment into public goods like affordable housing. That way, in case of malpractice or negligence, politicians could be held accountable....much easier than trying to persue some investment banking firm from Singapore.

[@jillhbaudhaan]

Millionaire comes across aloof in this entire series

[@bpj1805]

Florian Schmidt: > Complains about ordinary people not being able to afford housing > Turns down Groener's development plans that would have turned a former commercial building into housing

[@kimberleyhunter6815]

The key word is "affordable". Florian Schmidt wants the people in his district to have housing they can afford.

[@bpj1805]

@@kimberleyhunter6815 Yes, and I "want" a Ferrari. That doesn't mean that if I stand on bridges and throw rocks at Ferraris I'll get one.

[@kimberleyhunter6815]

@@bpj1805 in your original post, you said that Florian Schmidt denied a permit to a building developer who wanted to build housing in his district, which might have helped him personally, since his own apartment was up for sale. It wouldn't have. Florian Schmidt can't afford the kind of places that Groener builds. All Schmidt can afford to rent are laminate countertops and vinyl floors. Groener builds condos with marble countertops floors. They're out of Schmidt's price range.

[@bpj1805]

@@kimberleyhunter6815 No, you misunderstood. I am not mocking Schmidt for acting against his direct, personal interests. I'm mocking him for acting against the political interests he claims to advance. He wants housing to be more affordable, yet resists housing being built at no cost to anyone: Groener wants to develop what was an exclusively commercial building into residential units. Like what does he want here, really? And what does he expect will be the outcome of his dog-in-a-manger stance? Does he want that former post office building to be simply pepped up a bit and rented out as offices, which would presumably not require any permits, creating NO new housing, regardless of price range?

[@jillishan]

This is so terrifying.

[@sushilbade5927]

Showcase of modern capitalism by the Western world.👀🏧💸

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

And then you saw the 100 million deaths in Soviet Union and CCP China, the fall of the Soviet Union, the rise of totalitarianism in CCP China, Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Eritrea, Congo. Marxism what a great idea if you want people either equally poor or under totalitarian rule or dead.

[@hanzz9083]

"does money change people's behaviour?" damn yeah!!

[@missollyk]

DW i watch your documentaries from Africa, 🇳🇦 to be specific. Keep up the good work please. 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@fannyamandanaranjomartinez8429]

Independent of the country. Rich business person has more power that politics. Globoeconomy

[@AST4EVER]

I've watched all Three episodes now and it has brought a lot of change in my attitude towards looking at things with a different perspective. A perspective which tells me to achieve what I want with everything what I've got, instead of blaming the world and rich. The only thing that stands between me and my goal is my journey to achieve it and for that I need to move....

[@nknk5241]

Well, looks like you should watch it again... This time turn on thinking

[@chrilin5107]

Well if you want to move ...I hope you can find affordable housing 😂 Perhaps you missed the point of the series?

[@chrilin5107]

@@nknk5241 😂 was thinking the same

[@MrKirumbuyo]

DW never disappoint! I love Germany and I once dreamt of living there. But things change...I will live in Tanzania instead and visit Germany when I can. I feel the predicament facing middle income class in Germany is Universal. We live in a world where only the strong survives and moves up the ladder.

[@m4rs12]

Want to reduce inequality? Make sure the path to wealth is open and accessible to all (free educations, small business subsidies, etc), instead of hating successful rich people/those who made it, taking their money and distribute it as freebies

[@bpj1805]

Yeah, inequality is uninteresting. What really matters is *mobility*. When inequality becomes "frozen in", then it's a problem. But inequality per se is not the problem it's cracked up to be, social science wonks be damned. "Intergenerational income/wealth elasticity" (useful search term) is pretty good in the West. On average, inheritances are squandered by just the third generation.

[@carolhama4156]

At least in Germany, the developer is a German. Here in Canada, most of our big developers are from overseas, mainly China! And they are demanding extraordinarily high rents! So many, many people here are homeless, as they cannot afford the rent and live in tents in city parks!

[@northofyou33]

The same in the US. People who haven't visited would be surprised by the hundreds of thousands of homeless people.

21:59 did he just try to corrupt him in front of the camera?

[@focast1825]

I think you are right that it was an attempt. Bribes are usually offered in jest so they can have some plausible deniability.

[@andreasmagnusson2521]

Of all the comments, This is the most important one!

[@bpj1805]

@@focast1825 You could equally turn it around and interpret the politician guy mentioning his personal financial problems as an underhanded invitation for a bribe, and that making a "joke" about offering a bribe is a way to reject the request that's safe for both parties.

[@focast1825]

@@bpj1805 That is fair, although considering the character of the people in question I think I still lean towards the deniable bribe offer :)

[@bpj1805]

@@focast1825 Another reason I think it's just a joke and not a genuine plausibly-deniable bribe attempt is that he isn't offering one of his apartments at any special price. He doesn't mention price at all in fact, other than maybe to imply that the rents for his units are lower than what Schmidt pays currently. It's really more a display of dominance than anything else, I think. Schmidt relates how he can only barely afford to live where he does (signaling an inferior position, a "beta" display) and Groener responds by reminding Schmidt that he has what Schmidt wants (superior "alpha male" position). Making a genuine bribery attempt on camera would also be uncharacteristically stupid. You don't have to like the guy, but you have to recognize that he isn't stupid.

[@johnhumphrey9953]

It is simple. It is the "Golden Rule, He who has the Gold Rules".

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

Strange Californium is 25 million dollar s a gram and you come with something of less than 2k a gram :-) "Californium Rule, He who has the Californium Rules" Tritium is not bad too

[@khaldrogo9451]

I really enjoyed this documentary. As a millennial starting out in the workforce, refreshing to see how many cards are stacked against me lol

[@chrilin5107]

Good luck

[@athar7219]

I thought Germany would be a better place to settle but every place is facing these problems

[@MrSen1994]

I live in Azerbaijan - it is not developed, not the most democratic and obviously not the best one with life conditions, like any other developing nations. However, I see that, what is happening in countries like Germany, USA or UK, is actually somehow similar to us. The only difference is - your elections are more than ours, but elected bodies are not doing what we expecting them to do. On the other hands, wealthier people are getting more power. So, maybe the dream they have offered to us - developing nations, which is called democracy, is not solution for our problems.

[@tonysantos6345]

Democracy is being perfected by consciousness. But there is an enourmous fear of those in power of the consequences of social, economic and political awareness. What we see in many countries like the US, Brazil, UK, Hungary, Israel, Poland (where far-right arose with the help of a disinformation campaign) is a real crusade for ignorance. If capital is global, workers solidarity should be global. Simple as that.

[@tatiyana8934]

If You manage to listen in russian, I'd love to recommend you very popular, here on youtube, lecture by Ekaterina Shulman (political expert) - unfortunately only in russian (no subtitles(( search as: Екатерина Шульман 'Будущее государства, семьи и частной собственности' (это она так обиграла в названии своей лекции название Карла Маркса))) - очень интересное выступление👍 - близкое по теме...

[@MrSen1994]

@@tatiyana8934 i will check them. No need for subtitles. Thank you for your recommendation

[@MrSen1994]

@@tonysantos6345 yes, I guess you are right. Even me, not supporting left wing ideas, i guess you are right

[@leoprg5330]

Democracy and capitalism are two different concepts (China is highly capitalistic but authoritarian vs. Greece is democratic but practically socialistic).. Sadly many people are willing to loose their freedom and democracy for security (of jobs, protection from outside world or from bearing consequences of their own decisions..)

[@glennrasmussen56]

But just because you can vote dosent mean that there is a democracy. This very documentary argument for that by showing that its the rich and not the manys will that comes through. Democracy is not about voting its about that the most votes get their will and interest realised. So in fact there is no democracy anywere in the world. But its a nice illusion to have a beneficial one for the few rich.

[@numanh8391]

Make inequality (4/infinity)

[@annar6294]

@non important it's not about having the same though, it's about having similar opportunities in life and what this documentary showed is that poor people are disadvantaged from the get go. I agree it's a good thing that smart, hard working people should have more than someone who can't be bothered to get a job. But please tell me how is it fair that I'm woking a full time job and I'm not able to afford to rent on my own? Get a better job? Sure, but I'm not even on a minimum wage and still can't aford that in my area, property prices are extortionate. Sure I can move away, but that will only solve my problem, it won't solve the problem with the system.

[@mukkaar]

I think issue is this. There are quite a bit of companies that want to provide value for the people, but we come to conflict of interest when investors come to play. And expectations of infinite growth. Ceiling for organic growth and profit can come quite fast and you need to start extracting value from something other than your product. Aka. maybe change regulations, buy suffocate competition, make cuts or increase prices. End result will be a typical "corporation". Just like how there has been upset over KZbin time and time again because advertisers ruin the place. So it is with business and investors, especially public ones. Not all business is like this ofc, but just due to how investing works it creates pressure for business to listen investors. And 99% of investors are just there for numbers and growth because that's how they make profit. This kind of investing also lends a hint why ethical companies that try to do good are not ones thriving. It's just much easier to get profits when you don't have boundaries. And even if there was ethical company, investors would definitely press for more profits, and if company/owner doesn't have majority share anymore, there would soon be new ceo that's on side of investors. But I have to say, not voting is really bad and stupid option no matter what your opinion of the system is. Rather than protest, it's opposite of protest. It's helping people who they are protesting. I get why people do that, but it's just not an way to go.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi Kassa, thx for sharing your insights and thoughts with the community. Stay tuned!

[@techcat758]

r/latestagecapitalism Cheap credit has made labored work worthless.

[@niilespunkari8832]

@@kjell744 Nobody mentioned immigration: less people, less demand, less rent, it is that simple.

[@p.b4287]

@@niilespunkari8832 Why immigration when capitals move all around the globe buying properties without the need for crossing a border? Rich have no borders. They are welcome everywhere in the world. What has this to do with immigrants? Do I miss a point?

[@niilespunkari8832]

@@p.b4287 many reasons increase property prices (locally), the immigration of rich and wealthy migrants is one.

[@bpj1805]

@@p.b4287 Immigration doesn't affect all people equally. It differentially benefits people like Mr Groener, by depressing working and middle class wages, because numerically most immigrants are in these classes rather than in the upper class, and differentially harms people like that Siemens guy, by depressing wages and increasing demand for housing.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

And then you saw the 100 million deaths in Soviet Union and CCP China, the fall of the Soviet Union, the rise of totalitarianism in CCP China, Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Eritrea, Congo. Marxism what a great idea if you want people either equally poor or under totalitarian rule or dead.

[@quietusleblanc30]

market decide pricing but part of market is foreign investors and part poor foreign and then "regular workers" each geographic area can have 3 branches to decide legislature locals judicial. Once they decide a house is twice an annual salary not 4 to 8 x what super wealthster will purchase it.. Not worth his time. . ... Rich shouldnt abuse Our system. Im fine with generational wealth as long as all the locals have alot if they work, enough if they dont work much and we can get it upon birth.

[@loucadoida3327]

I watched this documentary and it’s scary the gap between the rich and poor is way is too wide and when the people that are making decisions are only interested in enriching their bank accounts and can not relate to the struggles that everyday people are facing and going through to make ends meet , we are seeing symptoms of total desperation and desperate situations calls for desperate measures and history has shown us what those solutions are .

[@chrilin5107]

Sadly you have a point but I do hope we can find solutions like placing money creation firmly in the hands of public national banks, so investment can be directed to public goods like affordable housing or small businesses , education and health and social care etc I cannot understand why we let private banks direct every society and what gets built etc only so that a select few can keep increasing their already beyond comprehension wealth. And that is not mr Groner, he too relies on investors. It was when I learned that Black Rock has more cash to splash than the combined budgets of Germany, the UK and US 😱 I knew about money creation etc before but this series connects a lot of dots. The ever increasing inequality, issues such as the German factory being sold, sold again and the wage stagnation combined with less and less security, adding market injecting funds into the housing market making it unaffordable and how little chance politicians have to actually provide the common goods needed in our societies, mixed with rising division...inject populism offering scapegoats and promising easy solutions, it's very scary and people are often under educated because this is not a part of the mainstream topics. I wish all people would see this whole series and that we would all, not divide but, together demand change.

[@marcpascoy1208]

Germany is a mere business zone,with staff/personal; very good vid content;

[@budg7525]

All 3 episodes were excellent! Thank you!

[@shotazi]

I often think about this. How does it come that in developed countries like the USA and UK media is highly polarized and partisan, and totally disregards or disfigure relevant social and political problems that are on the minds of most citizens, left or right, however in Germany public broadcaster produces such a high quality of journalism with a critical edge? Is it because there is a better political system in Germany? or is a better political system in Germany a result of the balanced, critical, and healthy public sphere? or answer might be that there is enough economic stability in Germany, that hides political vices that are visible across the world? Anyway, this was a really nice documentary : )

[@northofyou33]

Good point, Shota.

[@vitalino1981]

Karl Gruener is like ultimate villain for DW series 😏

[@falsonaga]

He is? at 30:35 he recognizes some of the investors he is reaching out are far more powerful than him and create no value at all

[@kojosmith1210]

I don’t know who’s funding DW, however, this is the third documentary Ive watched in which I’ve seen fair and unbiased framing, which asks/answers meaningful questions. DW I think you might be one of the last reliable sources on earth. I’m afraid that won’t last long 😔

[@digelptv5796]

publicly funded.

[@coopsnz1]

It communism media obviously

[@troytrey]

Non resident foreigners should be limited to property purchase. Period

[@pertsevds]

Christoph Gröner had to answer before the district court of Leipzig in December 2018. In three indictments, the public prosecutor accused him of several years of tax evasion. On February 21, 2019, after eight days of trial, the district court decided to temporarily suspend the trial. The court ordered Gröner to pay a six-figure sum.

[@chrilin5107]

And this is the other side of Mr good guy, helping children and all 🤔

[@ARKADPlus]

They show the rich work relentlessly, and invest using loans. The poor being lazy and complain....

[@mysticaltyger2009]

I think that single mom was kind of silly. How can you say you want a better life for your kids and then be a single mom to not just 1 kid, but 2. That shows me someone who doesn't learn from their mistakes--and perpahs doesn't (refuses to?) even regocnize them.

[@ARKADPlus]

@@mysticaltyger2009 perhaps when she conceived them, she thought things would be okay. But Germany doesn't penalise single moms so it's not that bad. Sometimes kids born into hardship can become successful as adults. Well, let's wish them well..

[@Nomadnetic3]

This was such a well done series. Love your content.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the documentary.

[@PhilN2K]

Great documentary, but can we take a moment to understand that a Harvard teacher just associated “Trump and the AFD” which are the essence of freedom and capitalism and democracy, to dictatorships and communism ? I believe that’s where the problem lies.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@shubhamsehgal2336]

I think this is why Germans progress. They are really showing deep issues that are hard to solve. It's just like open source code. The more the eyeballs, the more ideas you get to resolve the issues. Appreciate the effort to show the truth by team DW.