Inequality – how wealth becomes power (1/3) | DW Documentary

Germany is one of the world’s richest countries, but inequality is on the rise. The wealthy are pulling ahead, while the poor are falling behind.

For the middle classes, work is no longer a means of advancement. Instead, they are struggling to maintain their position and status. Young people today have less disposable income than previous generations. This documentary explores the question of inequality in Germany, providing both background analysis and statistics. The filmmakers interview leading researchers and experts on the topic. And they accompany Christoph Gröner, one of Germany’s biggest real estate developers, as he goes about his work. "If you have great wealth, you can’t fritter it away through consumption. If you throw money out the window, it comes back in through the front door,” Gröner says. The real estate developer builds multi-family residential units in cities across Germany, sells condominium apartments, and is involved in planning projects that span entire districts. "Entrepreneurs are more powerful than politicians, because we’re more independent,” Gröner concludes. Leading researchers and experts on the topic of inequality also weigh in, including Nobel-prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, economist Thomas Piketty, and Brooke Harrington, who carried out extensive field research among investors from the ranks of the international financial elite. Branko Milanović, a former lead economist at the World Bank, says that globalization is playing a role in rising inequality. The losers of globalization are the lower-middle class of affluent countries like Germany. "These people are earning the same today as 20 years ago," Milanović notes. "Just like a century ago, humankind is standing at a crossroads. Will affluent countries allow rising equality to tear apart the fabric of society? Or will they resist this trend?”

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[amritbansal]

Can't thank Germany enough for the content they are providing to the world free of cost every day. Thanks a ton guys

[elcuhhh]

“Throw 250 out the window and it comes back right through the door”
*i wish I had that problem

[always_sunny]

That security guard is like the sweetest man I’ve ever seen. Truly a stand up guy.

[muzehack]

Money doesn't "trickle down", it clumps. Money attracts money.

[ninetailedfox]

“It is evident that most people don’t know how money works, if they did there would be a revolution before tomorrow’s sunrise “. -HENRY FORD

[IndianNik-yg]

DW you must get a Nobel Prize for such a stupendous work, all your documentaries are absolutely a work of humanity

[imthegrk]

Mental Note: don’t watch this before you go to your low paying/abusive job. It will mess up your day.

[blaisetelfer]

"If I pay a guard so little that he can't live off his salary, then I've done something wrong as an employer." I wish we had more bosses like him in the US

[geraldking]

"The miracle of America is that 90% of everyone thinks they are middle class."
- Louis Rukeyser, WALL STREET WEEK

[BassHeadD]

How can someone own a forest, trace their family wealth back almost 1000 years, and not consider themselves truly rich?? (He stated this in another video)... That is the definition of being out of touch with reality.

[mogazamoha]

Being poor is the worst thing that could happen to a person nothing is as disturbing as being at the bottom of everything.

[trekkie]

Thank you so much for using voiceovers when there is a different language being spoken. I love to watch these all day with my phone away so I’m grateful I can understand all the content while being away from the screen. It is also great to have this accessibility for people who need it. Thanks again!

[reginalddawson]

Too many people believe they are 'Middle Class' when they are really with the class of Working Poor. 'Middle Class' is a feeling for the too many. Wealth is measured in numbers and proven on financial statements.

[videosandnosubscribers]

Less than 30 seconds in, and this dude spits the facts about excessive wealth: it's impossible to spend it.

[shivamkumarsingh]

Come to India you would see real inequality.

[Pahusuca]

him screaming at the crowd "how stupid are you?" does really not make him appear as the nice guy he is wanting to get across as...

[einseitig]

These documentaries are extremely thought provoking, insightful and perceptive. Many thanks.

[sdprz]

Have I finally found a news outlet with TRUE journalistic integrity? In the 21st century? NO WAY. Thank you DW for staying true

[dominikgadecki]

Very good high quality journalism you are doing in most of the documentaries! There are fewer and fewer documentaries that try to be objective which is frustrating. Really like your way of presenting and I am looking forward to see more videos from you guys!

[bogmorh]

According to this guy if a guard can live on the wages he pays him he has done his job. That's the attitude of all companies. Just pay the bare minimum so that the empployees don't starve.
Also - his private assisstant has only been there for a few months, his guard also, what's up with that? Big rotation amongst the workers, work burnout or something else?