First published in 1990, this book traces the logic and the peculiarities of German economic development through the Weimar Republic, Third Reich and Federal Republic, providing a comprehensive analysis of the period. The book also assesses controversial issues, such as the origins of the Great Depression; the primacy of politics or economics in the decision to invade Poland and the future risks to the Weltmeister economy of the Federal Republic oppressed by unemployment; the huge debts of some of its trading partners; and the possibility of worldwide protectionism.

Braun, Hans-Joachim

Part 1: 1870-1948 1. The Economy of the Kaiserreich 1871-1914 2. The First World War 3. Reparations and Inflation 4. Relative Stabilisation 5. The Great Depression 6. The National Socialist Economy 7. The Second World War 8. The Post-War Economy 1945-1948 Part 2: The Federal Republic of Germany 1949-1985 9. Economic Growth and Fluctuations 10. Economic Doctrine and Policy 11. Public Finance 12. Capital and Labour 13. Structural Change 14. Foreign Trade