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Author

Daniel Stelter

Founder, “Beyond The Obvious” and former member of Boston Consulting Group’s Executive Committee

[Germany]

Daniel Stelter is the founder of the German think tank Beyond the Obvious.

Previously, he worked as a consultant at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) from 1990 to 2013, most recently as Senior Partner and Managing Director and member of BCG’s Executive Committee. From 2003 to 2011, he was in charge of BCG’s Corporate Strategy and Finance practice area.

Since 2007, Daniel Stelter has advised international clients to prepare for the challenges of the unfolding financial crisis. He co-authored BCG’s “Collateral Damage” series and the book “Accelerating Out of the Great Recession,” which won the getAbstract International Book Award 2010.

In April 2013, he published his book, “Die Billionen Schuldenbombe” (The Trillion Debt Bomb), in which he describes the overindebtedness in the Western world, how politicians are evading the problems and what measures can point the way out of the crisis.

His latest book is “Die Schulden im 21. Jahrhundert” (Debt in the 21st Century), a critique of Thomas Piketty`s “Capital,” is currently on the bestseller list in Germany.

Articles by Daniel Stelter

The Coronavirus Crisis and Western Cultural Arrogance

The Western world is on the verge of embarrassing itself to the bone in fighting a health crisis of historic proportions.

March 15, 2020

Madame Lagarde: End Draghi’s Half Measures!

Rather than having the ECB continue its path of raising just the boats of the rich, it is high time for the delivery of “helicopter money” to everyday Europeans.

November 1, 2019

After Merkel: Germany’s Tax State Faces Its Limits

Denying the root causes for the increased frustration of the public with existing policies is not going to regain trust. “Populism” will continue to gain support.

October 31, 2018

After Merkel: Lax Migration Rules Trigger More Poverty

The entire increase in the share of people running the risk of poverty since 2005 is due to the bigger share of immigrants in the German society.

October 30, 2018

How the Merkel Government Makes up Its Statistics

In reality, German government debt levels have been going up during Merkel’s 12-year reign – and this despite a booming economy.

October 3, 2018

Welcome to Poor Germany

How the Merkel government is risking Germany’s future by underinvestment and other ill-applied policy approaches.

October 2, 2018

Will Italy Spell the End of the Euro?

France and Germany will be very flexible in their response to Italian demands, irrespective of the official rhetoric from Berlin and Paris.

May 22, 2018

Trump’s Trade Policy: An Opportunity for Germany

History teaches that everyone suffers from trade wars, but the biggest pain is incurred by those who run the big surpluses once it starts.

March 23, 2018

How Germany’s Current-Account Surplus Will Correct Itself

Germany’s over-dependence on its automotive industry will be its undoing.

July 17, 2017

Is Germany Really Poverty-Stricken?

Fake facts, presented under the cover of academic neutrality, become a 2017 election topic in Germany.

April 28, 2017

Why Angela Merkel Should Be Grateful to Donald Trump

With Merkel lacking both an agenda and a vision, the US push to deal with Germany’s eternal export surplus is a welcome impetus for long overdue domestic reforms.

February 3, 2017

Donald Trump’s New New Deal

Will Donald Trump's economic policies finally lead the United States and Europe out of their economic malaise?

November 14, 2016

After Brexit: Now It’s Italy’s Turn

Germany will have to change its policies if it wants to avoid exit of other countries from the union.

June 16, 2016

Time for a Global Restart, But How?

It seems we are headed for a deflationary wave or a wave of hyperinflations. But there is an alternative.

April 28, 2016

Central Banks as Relentless Boosters of the Rich

The US Fed doesn’t care about the real economy. It is just keen on stopping asset price deflation.

February 16, 2016

Dismantle the Central Banks!

Central banks have served as a low-risk road to fortune for those with already ample financial assets.

February 15, 2016

How France Will Bail Out Germany’s Merkel

In the spirit of European cohesion, France will force Germany to change its refugee policy.

November 27, 2015

EU’s Fate After Paris: A Dark Scenario

The terrorist attacks of November 13, 2015, could be the final crisis that breaks the Union’s back.

November 23, 2015

Germany’s New Role in Europe: From Taskmaster to Petitioner

The costs of absorbing five million immigrants could easily reach the costs of German reunification -- over one trillion euros over 30 years.

November 2, 2015

Germany: A 10-Point Plan to Deal With the Immigration Challenge

What does it take to make sure that the immigrants now arriving are integrated in a sustainable manner?

September 14, 2015

Germany’s Immigration Challenge

We have to make an honest assessment of costs and benefits of the migration crisis.

September 13, 2015

National Liberation Fronts: United Against the Euro

Why establishment parties in Europe are increasingly left defenseless against a hardening opposition against the euro.

September 1, 2015

The Failure of Politics: Merkel’s Euro Debacle?

On the costs of the illusion that the Euro would only bring benefits.

July 23, 2015

Can Iceland Save the World?

The 2008-09 financial crisis forced Iceland to come up with profoundly new banking and monetary systems.

April 16, 2015

Germany’s Choice: Shaper or Bystander?

10 points on what Germany needs to do to save the Eurozone -- and safeguard Germany’s own interests.

March 24, 2015

Germany as the Euro’s Real Loser: 10 Reasons

Why the average German is the main loser in the Eurozone.

March 12, 2015

Varoufakis’s Ill-Advised Visions

Yanis Varoufakis's vision for the Eurozone.

March 9, 2015

Portugal’s Successful Turnaround? A Fairy Tale

For all the attention given to Greece, is Portugal really that much better off?

March 2, 2015

A Better Alternative to QE for Europe

Ben Bernanke’s helicopter drop: Money for citizens, not banisters.

January 20, 2015

ECB: Pushing Europe over the Edge

Despite all the advertising, launching QE in Europe may well be counterproductive.

January 19, 2015

Greek Theater and Europe’s Future

Why politicians welcome the Grexit debate – and why it will do little to solve Europe’s woes.

January 12, 2015

Japan: Abe’s Exchange Rate Strategy Failed

Will it be bankruptcy, hyperinflation or a miracle for Japan?

December 22, 2014

Japan: Abe’s Remaining Options

The question is therefore not if, but how the creditors lose their money.

December 21, 2014

How Japan Bankrupted Itself

The story of Japan's decline -- and the lessons for Europe.

December 19, 2014

Piketty, Right or Wrong? The Global Wealth Game

How can it be that wealth grows faster than income for a sustained period of time?

November 19, 2014

Germany: Desperately Seeking a Matteo Renzi

Germany needs its own Matteo Renzi to prepare the country for the challenges ahead

March 19, 2014

Secular Stagnation in the West?

Well, it is up to us!

November 27, 2013

Build For the Future (Part III)

Ten steps western economies must take.

November 25, 2013

Build For the Future (Part II)

Ten steps Western economies must take.

November 25, 2013

Build For the Future

Ten steps Western economies must take.

November 25, 2013

Those Pesky German Trade Surpluses

Why it is in Germany's own interest to change course.

November 4, 2013

The West’s Day of Fiscal Reckoning, Part III

Politicians might conclude that debt restructuring is inevitable.

October 16, 2013

The West’s Day of Fiscal Reckoning, Part II

In theory, there are four options to address the West’s debt overhang.

October 15, 2013

The West’s Day of Fiscal Reckoning

The first step is to acknowledge the facts of the global fiscal condition.

October 13, 2013