First published in 1990, this book traces the logic and the peculiarities of German economic development through the Weimar Republic, Third Reich and Federal Republic, providing a comprehensive analysis of the period. The book also assesses controversial issues, such as the origins of the Great Depression; the primacy of politics or economics in the decision to invade Poland and the future risks to the Weltmeister economy of the Federal Republic oppressed by unemployment; the huge debts of some of its trading partners; and the possibility of worldwide protectionism.