Victor Davis Hanson: Germany’s Decent From ‘Europe’s Powerhouse’ to ‘National Suicide’

May 8, 2025

The podcast dives into Germany's alarming transformation from Europe's powerhouse to a state of crisis. It examines the controversial classification of the Alternative for Deutschland party and its implications for democracy. Discussing energy policies, the host advocates for a return to reliable sources like nuclear power while critiquing current immigration approaches. The dialogue centers on how political labeling and neglect of essential reforms contribute to what’s described as 'national suicide' for the nation.

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INSIGHT

Germany's National Decline

Germany, once the EU's economic powerhouse, now faces stagnation and negative growth for two years.
Its energy policies, open borders, and cultural challenges contribute to a national decline, termed "national suicide" by Victor Davis Hanson.

INSIGHT

Immigration and Social Tensions

Open borders brought 16-18% of the population as mostly unassimilated immigrants from the Middle East.
This immigration pattern creates social and cultural tensions within Germany.

INSIGHT

Decline of German Military Influence

Germany has disarmed its military and struggles to meet even minimal defense commitments.
Its pivotal NATO role and influence in Europe have significantly diminished.

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Last week, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classified the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), which came in second in the recent federal elections, as a far-right “extremist organization.” Today, the agency lowered AfD’s designation, still allowing surveillance, but under “stricter judicial oversight”, according to Politico.

In less than a decade, Germany went from being the “Powerhouse of Europe” to embracing an all-out strategy of “national suicide.” How and more importantly, why did this happen, asks Victor Davis Hanson on today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words?”

“Twenty years ago German physicists were the top in the world—nuclear physicists. They would start investing again in nuclear power. They would start up natural gas generation. Wind and solar would be integral, but a small part, because they would need reliable, cheap energy to compete on the world market. They would join the United States and look at China and say, "This is intolerable, this system of mercantilism." They would close their borders. They would go to an assimilationist model and require immigrants that came legally to fully become Germans. They would do all of that. But instead, when one party is advocating much of what I just talked about, they demonize it because it's out of the norm. And the norm, unfortunately, in Germany today is national suicide.”

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