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

[@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.

[@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

[@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."

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@frmlsshrmn]

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

[@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.

[@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...

[@NaumRusomarov]

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

[@jrothstein1472]

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

[@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.”

[@notjustbaggish]

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.

[@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.

[@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 !!

[@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.

[@letlotlomache1448]

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

[@youshallnotpass2156]

Well its only a translation from a german docu

[@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 :-)

[@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?)

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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)

[@MelonHusk7]

I have watched entire 3 part series and now I have alot to think about! Thank u!

[@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

[@RayvenGuard]

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.

[@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.

[@aeroplaneguy3367]

Thank you for these documentaries. This 3 part series was great.

[@budg7525]

All 3 episodes were excellent! Thank you!

[@Hawilabas]

Thanks DW for this beautiful documentary, and Mr. Groener for accepting the crew to film.

[@huyenbo]

Well-done DW, I greatly enjoy your high quality documentaries!

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@Nomadnetic3]

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

[@DWDocumentary]

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

[@juancarlosvasquezgarcia4190]

@DWDocumentary, thank you for your labour. I want more documentaries like these.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@citacininta]

I really this series of documentary. Your channel provides really good content of documentary films, better than other mainstream channels. I hope to watch more of this kind of documentaries with various topics.

[@1rotes]

Bravo DW Documentary! Outstanding documentary showing which direction Europe's powerhouse is taking! Excellent job!

[@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.

[@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. 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@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

[@opheliamyall2554]

These documentaries are very telling and even more relevant in 2021 than it was at the time of filming. In part three, the final statement by that business man told it all...stepping out from behind the scenes...

[@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.

[@pedromiguellima4374]

This documentary is amazing!

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Pedro Miguel Lima, thanks for watching!

[@veganinvasion7701]

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

[@jkt652]

DW has been, for a while now, able to offer a critical, unbiased yet informative view on current affairs. Thats why, I recommend it.

[@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.

[@matteomuniz2433]

This is both enlightening and heartbreaking. We're hopeless.

[@leonreaper90]

We live in a plutocracy.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

still way better than under a socialist or communist state

[@gibrinamesno5019]

Thank you DW that was a great documentary series.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Gibrina mesno, thank you too for watching!

[@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

[@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!”

[@EmperorDraconianIV]

These videos always inspire my economist mind

[@chrilin5107]

Happy to hear that as we need more actually clever economist; aware of the societal aspects as well, not focusing simply on calculations. Human beings aren't always logical and only self serving and focused simply on short term gains. We are complex beings that cannot easily be arranged into models of behaviour. Good luck

[@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.

[@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.

[@Indokita]

Very good documentary. Thank you.

[@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.

[@troytrey]

Non resident foreigners should be limited to property purchase. Period

[@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?

[@Dfm_Sushil]

I watch your all 3 episode. I like it. Thanks for that.

[@Sum_Ting_Wong]

More exellent 'money' related documentaries please. You guys are fast becoming #1

[@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.

[@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.

[@HCSL]

Very good series, I really enjoyed this. Probably the most fair and unbiased journalism I've seen in a while, no agenda, just exploring equally on both sides of the divide.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and for the positive feedback! Be sure to check out our channel for more content. :)

[@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...

[@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

[@linmal2242]

Interesting to see Herr Groener working the room, connecting with all the bankers.

[@mysticaltyger2009]

I think his life is exhausting. He's just a high paid slave. He thinks he's powerful? All I can say is I think his life s*cks.

[@chrilin5107]

@@mysticaltyger2009 agree n think he's empty ...also how can you have 4 children and not want to be with them as much as possible. Our children are our greatest gift.

[@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..)

[@MariaCarabin]

Interesting documentary series. Subscribed!

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and subscribing! Be sure to check out our channel for more content. :-)

[@Michael-bf1dt]

Hi Maria how are you. Greetings from Ireland. Hope you’re safe from covid. It’s a good video. Best wishes 😊🙏 Michael

[@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...

[@zetsubou-chan]

Creepy music at the end was very fitting.

[@rajarajab8143]

This serie is more interesting from 1,2,and 3.

[@mabeaute8963]

Bravo for this series! I look forward to post covid update on this.

[@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

[@dziubarob]

I would like to see more documentaries like this please!

[@MissSladousek]

Great documentary! I wish you could make a similar one with a rich person from Switzerland... then perhaps one rich person from each European country. That would be super interesting I think.

[@chrilin5107]

And they should be aired on primetime as well as promoted for streaming etc too in each country. So everyone starts to connect the dots and protest begins. Great.

[@Kuronow]

Tahnk you all involved in this series, this kind of journalist are the one the world needs, the kind that open eyes on population who is to tired of a system that make them poor by the minute, hoping the most vulnerable people watch this, and learn something from this, wich is replicating in all parts of the world, including my home country Chile, wich is inmerse on protest from oct 18 2019, and as I see this, this is the main problem....

[@chrilin5107]

Hope it goes well for you. Buena suerte compañero.

[@523101997]

I wished she asked him about the plant closures more and the impact of those family cards they sent

[@chrilin5107]

Clearly the family cards went nowhere, if they had changed anything they'd said it.

[@kelvinkj7074]

Amazing work

[@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 🍀

[@RoseTheOne64]

Im not sure how i came to be so lucky to come across this documentary but it is indeed an eye opener.

[@chrilin5107]

It's a great channel ..always great content

[@victornderu143]

This documentary is quite eye opening and I hope you do more of these. I would love it if you can also focus on global corporations and the impact that they have on trade and social lives of people across the world.

[@livics610]

Excelent documentary, thank you so much for this jewelry! ❤️

[@bjarkebgebjerg8206]

real love this series

[@azayrocks]

A great work. Dankeschön

[@benethgalan1063]

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

[@vv7299]

Paul Piff looks honest and charismatic

[@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

[@karimelzein9115]

UNBELIEVABLY GOOD SERIES.

[@aryamishra4986]

Please upload more documentary on Asia inequality or Indian inequality .. we will love to watch that types documentary. Thanks

[@stevewoodson4635]

Overplayed the underlying cause of Tropical storm coming best for Tradewinds of Bermuda triangle

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam would be a great start

[@symonopiyo2432]

Wonderful documentary. Very incisive and engaging

[@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.