大财政系列14：德国150年财政四部曲之二：增长与改革

Group 1: Economic Phases - The report divides West Germany's fiscal history from 1945 to 1990 into three phases: 1) 1945-1965 Post-war Reconstruction; 2) 1966-1980 Global Stagflation; 3) 1981-1990 Industrial Transformation[3] - The post-war reconstruction period (1945-1965) is characterized by debt reduction and economic miracles, driven by currency reform and the Marshall Plan, which injected approximately $1.6 billion into West Germany[7][31] - The global stagflation period (1966-1980) saw West Germany facing growth bottlenecks, transitioning from fiscal surplus to deficit, with government leverage increasing from 8% in 1970 to 15% in 1980[9][10] Group 2: Key Economic Policies - The currency reform in 1948 replaced 93.5% of the old currency, stabilizing the economy and eliminating hyperinflation risks[7][28] - The Marshall Plan provided crucial support for coal, steel, and infrastructure, helping West Germany's industrial production index rise from around 20 to nearly 90 by 1949[31][37] - The introduction of supply-side reforms in 1982 under Chancellor Helmut Kohl aimed to restructure the economy, reduce social welfare, and promote re-industrialization[11][12] Group 3: Economic Challenges - The steel crisis during the stagflation period highlighted structural weaknesses in West Germany's economy, leading to high unemployment and a decline in international competitiveness[10] - The government faced challenges in managing inflation and unemployment, with the unemployment rate fluctuating significantly during the 1970s[10][30] - The transition from demand-side management to supply-side reforms marked a significant shift in economic policy, reflecting the need for structural adjustments[11][12]