Change only happens through pain or passion. At the moment, there is neither pain nor passion in Germany. Therefore, there is little change, but a lot of status quo and stagnation. But what can we do about it?
An Assessment of Germany's Digitalization
The ship is sailing. Full employment. We are all doing excellent. The economy is booming. Tax surpluses. No reason to worry.
Far from it. Germany is in danger of losing its economic footing. Recently, a community in Berlin has resisted the establishment of a Google Campus. Instead, there is a social meeting place. At the same time, with the 5G decision (the government wants to reassign the licenses to Telekom), a fatal mistake looms that will hurt our country for decades to come. Because: Telekom already says that at best 90% of the country can be covered by it. Rural regions, often filled with hidden champions, would be left behind: "Make Germany small again".
These are just a few examples. The fact is that in Germany, things are mainly managed rather than shaped. One could also say "We are too well off"! But let's not complain - let's see what needs to be done! Here are three reform proposals on how Germany can avoid
digital suicide.
Creating Frameworks for Startups
Schumpeter called it creative destruction. Today we call it "disruption". At the end of the day, we need
innovative startups, as innovations rarely come from established companies. The factors "human" and "capital" are crucial for this.
- Entrepreneurs: Our education system educates for management, not for entrepreneurship. We need to promote skills that foster creativity and productivity and also incentivize the risk-taking of German risk-averse individuals. We need digital skills to meet the demands of today's job market and the current needs of customers.
- Capital: There is enough capital in Germany. Market access to risk capital is difficult for innovative founders. State programs could provide relief by investing a certain percentage of pension funds, for example, as in France or the USA, in venture capital.
Rethinking/Abolishing Federalism
Federalism, once established by the Allies to prevent too much centralism, is outdated. It paralyzes: especially in administration. Digitalization is not progressing because the federal government, states, and municipalities blame each other or create isolated solutions that are not compatible with others. The situation is even worse in education. The competition argument is always mentioned here. My opinion: Our education system completely ignores the reality of the economy and people's lives. Urgent action is needed here.
Germany needs a central educational strategy that promotes entrepreneurial and digital skills.
Germany also needs a centrally initiated digital administration. This is the only way Germany can remain competitive in the long run.
New Politics and Visions
New technologies, new disruptive changes affecting our society as a whole in all areas of life and reality, lead to uncertainty like "robots taking our jobs". Digitalization is not just an opportunity, it is also a risk - especially for those clinging to the status quo. Many questions arise. People demand answers.
Politicians who do not provide answers and hide behind phrases without real expertise are obsolete. We need politicians with long-term visions, with values. Not "yes-men", but also not fearmongers and populists, but realists and doers. Politicians driven by passion, not for retirement. Where is the 2050 strategy? Where does Germany, traditionally a technology and manufacturing country, want to position itself in the future?
Taking people on a journey into the future, inspiring them, developing a vision together - that is the main task of our politicians.
And if we do not want to wait until the pain is so great that it favors change, we must develop exactly that passion!
