The compelling story of Germany’s decline – where it all went wrong and how it could bounce back.

'A splendid book by authors who long ago detected Germany’s fragility – and aimed at readers who take no pleasure in the sight of its precipitous decline' Yanis Varoufakis
'The best polemic yet ... the authors prosecute their case with vigour and a terrific eye for detail' Oliver Moody, The Times Book of the Week

For many years, the post-war recovery of Germany was an inspirational story. Companies like Mercedes-Benz and Siemens became global titans, while the country’s political leaders earned respect around the world. Even when the Berlin Wall fell, it initially seemed to reunify effortlessly.

But even at its peak, there were signs of trouble. So, when events started to turn against Germany, everything started to crumble. Volkswagen’s emissions scandal damaged its industrial reputation, abandoning nuclear power left it reliant on Russia, and growing inequality boosted the far-right AfD.

Now updated for this edition, Broken Republik tells the compelling story of Germany’s decline – where it all went wrong and how it could bounce back.

"Although a new government has been installed since this book was released, the authors nonetheless provides a deeply insightful and fresh view of the challenges Chancellor Friedrich Merz will need to overcome if he is to correct Germany’s trajectory" - Financial Times

"The best polemic yet … The book’s charge sheet is long and unforgiving [and they] prosecute their case with vigour and a terrific eye for detail. The book is especially good on the country’s near-belle epoque levels of wealth inequality and social immobility" - The Times Book of the Week

"Reiter and Wilkes debunk several long-standing myths about Germany…the authors’ in-depth analysis digs deep into the crisis without being defamatory. The analysis of the German mentality is sure to provoke some readers. But that’s precisely where its strength lies: the authors avoid being easily categorised, which is often what stifles open-ended debates" - Die Welt