Why I Stand with Liberalism: A Case for Germany’s Shift to the Center
The latest German federal election results, held on February 23, 2025, paint a vivid picture of a nation at a crossroads. The conservative CDU/CSU secured 28% of the vote, followed by the far-right AfD at 20%, the center-left SPD at 16%, the Greens at 12%, and the liberal FDP at a mere 4.4%, falling short of the 5% threshold needed to enter the Bundestag. These numbers reflect a fragmented political landscape, with voters drifting toward extremes—socialism on the left, nationalism on the right—while the liberal center struggles to hold ground. As a staunch advocate for liberalism, I believe Germany must pivot away from the outdated frameworks of socialism, the far left, and the far right, embracing instead a mid-liberal approach rooted in free markets, reduced government intervention, and individual liberty. This shift is not just a pragmatic response to current challenges but a historically informed path to prosperity and diversity.
Wealth and Power: A Historical Symbiosis
Since the dawn of civilization, wealth and power have been inseparable twins. Nations that amassed power—through military might, strategic innovation, or economic dominance—inevitably accumulated wealth, while those with wealth could wield power to shape their destinies. Consider the ancient empires: Rome’s legions conquered vast territories, bringing riches that funded aqueducts, roads, and a sprawling bureaucracy. The Silk Road empires of Central Asia thrived by controlling trade routes, their wealth translating into political influence over neighboring tribes. This pattern holds true across time—power begets wealth, and wealth sustains power.
Leadership plays a pivotal role in this dynamic, and the deeds of a nation’s leaders leave indelible marks on history. Take Genghis Khan, the Mongol conqueror whose empire stretched from China to Eastern Europe in the 13th century. His power stemmed from ruthless conquest, with millions perishing under his campaigns. The wealth of his empire—gold, silk, and tribute—flowed from the blood he shed, establishing a legacy of centralized control and territorial dominance. Contrast this with George Washington, America’s first president. Washington, too, had blood on his hands, leading the Revolutionary War against British rule. Yet his deeds were tempered by a vision of liberty and governance by consent, not coercion. He stepped down after two terms, rejecting absolute power, and helped forge a nation that prized individual rights over autocratic rule. Genghis Khan’s legacy was one of destruction and subjugation; Washington’s, a foundation for prosperity and democracy. The difference lies not just in scale but in intent—brute force versus principled leadership.
Germany’s history echoes this lesson. The deeds of its leaders—Bismarck’s unification through "blood and iron," the catastrophic ambitions of the Third Reich—demonstrate how power and wealth, when pursued through authoritarian means, can lead to ruin. Post-World War II, the German "Wirtschaftswunder" (economic miracle) under leaders like Konrad Adenauer showed that a liberalized economy, paired with democratic governance, could rebuild a nation from ashes into an economic powerhouse. Today, Germany stands at another inflection point, and its future hinges on choosing a path that aligns with liberty over control.
Why Liberalism? The Case for a Free Market Germany
Germany’s current political leanings—toward socialism (SPD, Greens), the far left (Die Linke), and the far right (AfD)—are misaligned with its modern realities. Social democracy, once a pillar of the postwar "social market economy," is buckling under demographic change and economic strain. Over the past decades, migration has transformed Germany’s population, with millions of newcomers contributing to a diverse but pressured society. The system, designed for a homogenous, industrial-era workforce, now struggles to fund expansive welfare programs amid an aging native population and a globalized economy. Government costs have ballooned, with excessive paperwork and regulation stifling innovation and burdening businesses. Socialism’s promise of equality through state intervention is noble but unsustainable—it chokes the very wealth creation it seeks to redistribute.
The far right offers a seductive but flawed alternative. The AfD’s 20% vote share reflects frustration with migration and economic stagnation, but its vision of "purifying" Germany is neither feasible nor efficient. Society is already mixed—decades of immigration have woven diversity into the national fabric. Deportation schemes or exclusionary policies would disrupt labor markets, inflame social tensions, and shrink the tax base, all while failing to reverse history. The far right’s nostalgia for a uniform past ignores the reality of a globalized present, offering inefficiency masked as strength.
Liberalism, by contrast, embraces this diversity as an asset. A free market system, with reduced government costs and deregulation, would unleash Germany’s entrepreneurial potential. Cutting paperwork and bureaucratic red tape—hallmarks of the FDP’s platform, despite its electoral stumble—would empower businesses, from tech startups to traditional Mittelstand firms, to compete globally. Lower taxes and fewer subsidies would shift resources from state coffers to private hands, fostering innovation and rewarding merit over entitlement. This isn’t a rejection of social safety nets but a recalibration—ensuring they’re lean, targeted, and sustainable, not sprawling and sclerotic.
Prosperity and Diversity Through Liberalism
Germany’s demographic shift demands a system that thrives on diversity, not one that resists it. A free market doesn’t care about your origin—it rewards effort and ingenuity, whether from a Berlin-born engineer or a Syrian refugee-turned-entrepreneur. Social democracy, with its heavy-handed redistribution, often pits groups against each other, fueling resentment (cue the AfD’s rise). The far left’s obsession with state control stifles individual agency, while the far right’s exclusionary tactics fracture social cohesion. Liberalism, centered on individual liberty and economic freedom, bridges these divides. It says goodbye to the social market’s rigidity and hello to a dynamic, diverse Germany where prosperity isn’t a zero-sum game.
History backs this up. Nations that embraced free markets—postwar Germany, the United States under Washington’s legacy—flourished by harnessing human potential, not suppressing it. Genghis Khan’s wealth came at the cost of millions; Washington’s nation grew through voluntary exchange and shared purpose. Germany doesn’t need more bloodshed or control—it needs leaders who trust its people to build, create, and thrive.
A Call to German Citizens
The 2025 election results are a wake-up call. The CDU/CSU’s tepid victory and the AfD’s surge signal discontent, but neither offers a bold future. The SPD and Greens cling to a fading past, while the FDP’s liberal vision, though promising, lacks the traction to lead. German citizens must shift their gaze to the center—not out of compromise, but conviction. Liberalism isn’t a midpoint between extremes; it’s a rejection of them. It’s the courage to cut government fat, unshackle markets, and bet on a diverse, resilient people. Only then can Germany reclaim its place as a beacon of prosperity and progress in a turbulent world.
