Germans like globalisation, but worry about income gap
A new survey shows most Germans support the process of globalisation, although they’re worried about that the gap between rich and poor people could grow.
The survey, conducted by the infas research firm, commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation, and set to be released on Tuesday at an economics conference in Kiel, showed 64 percent of Germans associated the word “globalisation” with positive things.
Just over half believed Germany would have lower economic growth if it wasn’t for globalisation.
But many Germans were worried that growing internationalisation also had negative effects.
A full 92 percent felt a growing gap between rich and poor and feared that increasing energy and raw materials shortages were likely or very likely.
Other things they worried about included the state going bankrupt (81 percent) outbreak of a disease pandemic (60 percent) and wars over economic issues, such as trade (40 percent).
Germans felt international organisations were best placed to deal with the problems created by globalisation. Just over half of those surveyed thought the European Union could get things under control, while 57 percent had faith in the G-20, the grouping of the world’s largest economies.
The survey seems to largely mirror results of other research showing Germans widely support internationalisation, but with reservations.
The annual Transatlantic Trends survey by the German Marshall Fund showed most Germans supported efforts by the European Union to work on international matters as well as German involvement in countries like Afghanistan.
"Citizens feel that with our economic model, we’ve done well getting through the crisis situations of the last few years,” said Gunter Thielen, the head of the Bertelsmann Foundation in a statement. “However, they also see the economic risks of global connectivity and expect resolute action from politicians.”
The Local/mdm
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The survey, conducted by the infas research firm, commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation, and set to be released on Tuesday at an economics conference in Kiel, showed 64 percent of Germans associated the word “globalisation” with positive things.
Just over half believed Germany would have lower economic growth if it wasn’t for globalisation.
But many Germans were worried that growing internationalisation also had negative effects.
A full 92 percent felt a growing gap between rich and poor and feared that increasing energy and raw materials shortages were likely or very likely.
Other things they worried about included the state going bankrupt (81 percent) outbreak of a disease pandemic (60 percent) and wars over economic issues, such as trade (40 percent).
Germans felt international organisations were best placed to deal with the problems created by globalisation. Just over half of those surveyed thought the European Union could get things under control, while 57 percent had faith in the G-20, the grouping of the world’s largest economies.
The survey seems to largely mirror results of other research showing Germans widely support internationalisation, but with reservations.
The annual Transatlantic Trends survey by the German Marshall Fund showed most Germans supported efforts by the European Union to work on international matters as well as German involvement in countries like Afghanistan.
"Citizens feel that with our economic model, we’ve done well getting through the crisis situations of the last few years,” said Gunter Thielen, the head of the Bertelsmann Foundation in a statement. “However, they also see the economic risks of global connectivity and expect resolute action from politicians.”
The Local/mdm
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