How much influence do the super rich have? | DW Documentary

What does it mean for democracy when rich citizens can change an entire city? Do the interests of big donors always serve the common good? This film delves into the world of the super-rich and takes a hard look at how much influence they exert.

In Kiel, a dispute has flared up over the Holstein stadium. Soccer patron Gerhard Lütje, founder of the CITTI trading company, wants to modernize the stadium -- and turn it into a car-friendly business center at the same time. Critics find this approach environmentally unsustainable. But they are being ignored, they say. Kiel's mayor Ulf Kämpfer (SPD) is in a tight spot: He must negotiate without scaring off financial backers.

The film team meets billionaire Klaus-Michael Kühne, one of Germany's richest men, at his luxury hotel on Hamburg’s Alster. The 85-year-old donates generously: He supports the HSV soccer club, runs a university in Hamburg's HafenCity, wants to build an opera house and is a sponsor of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. But Kühne does not pay any tax in Germany. That’s because his official residence is Switzerland. "It's a well-known fact that the state can't do business properly," says Kühne, who believes he can distribute his money better himself.

Lidl founder Dieter Schwarz donated a gigantic education campus to the city of Heilbronn. Still, does that mean that the interests of big donors always serve the common good? No, says the daughter of a rich family involved in the "Taxmenow" initiative: Around 50 millionaires are demanding that they finally be taxed fairly.

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[wischmopps]

Not to mentioned: nearly all private TV, social media and newspapers are in the hands of billionaires.

[simulacra]

As always I really appreciate DW taking the time to research and bring forward the findings of such relevant topics . Thank you again.

[grmpEqweer]

Money = power coupons. When the rich get rich enough, they take over governments.

[johnpatrick]

The super rich buy politicians around the world. Not just a German problem.

[thomasshelby]

0.65% tax is ridiculous. Absolutely, completely scandalous!!

[cancerino]

14:20
Step 1) Dodge taxes by changing residency to Switzerland
Step 2) Offer to give (less) money than you should have been paying as taxes as a "generous donation"
Step 3) Status and control

[hevalasiti]

There is no democratic country. The rich rule above all.

[danielmartin]

The man with the gold makes the rules. That’s just how it is and always has been

[NyanyiC]

Garden allotments are where the best summer memories are made. My heart goes out to the people who lost theirs

[quickcinemarecap]

00:05 The super rich have significant influence in their hometowns and cities.
02:41 Wealthy individuals can exert significant influence on public infrastructure projects.
07:50 Professional sports and public money
10:35 Investors' influence in city development and infrastructure
16:03 Billionaire sponsors world famous concert hall
18:44 Hapag-Lloyd's profits and tax benefits.
23:31 Higher taxes on the super rich could generate 80 billion in additional revenue.
26:00 The super rich have significant influence on local development and education.
30:44 Influence of super-rich and transparency issues in connections
33:06 Transparency and accountability in project funding and realization
37:59 Discussion on funding for community projects
40:21 Super rich using foundations to influence public services

[giovannimai]

High quality info and excellent presentation of it. I always enjoy the topics DW chooses to do their documentaries about which really leave you thinking.

[larrygerry]

Great example of neo-feudalism. The rich want people know 'their'place

[Ratzione]

Super rich don't want to make commitments on long term but they want regular people to make a subscription for everything these days. Did I missed anything? 🤔

[RanmaSyaoranSaotome]

I hope this documentary isn't taken down in a few weeks like the many others DW have made on the super rich.

[nenasiek]

10:31 privatise the profits and socialise the cost. Simple as that, they just dont wanna say it out loud.

[pmwiky]

This is an amazing piece of journalism.

[Piqued]

Great reportage, I wish we had more investigative journalism like this in the US

[surewhatever]

I appreciate the direct and unapologetic questioning, sans fawning. It’s frustrating when American “interviews” devolve into polite fan pieces that function to whitewash the dirty deeds of the wealthy. Thank you DW.

[wppljeu]

in the states, taxpayers fund stadiums that lose money and get btax breaks in many cities it is a vile example of the rich getting rich off the rest of us

[joebloggs]

So he "gets up at 5am" but then does discretionary time at the gym until 7, then more discretionary time having massage until 9... and he "has worked for every cent".
- Just call it what it is, he gets to work at 9, and employs a team that produce sufficiently to keep him in the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed. 😂