Even though it was President Eisenhower who coined the
term “military industrial complex”, the original concept was etched by none
other than the Great Fuhrer. He conceptualized this complex as a triad for achieving
goals in geopolitics, geoeconomics and geostrategy. Let me shed light on
geoeconomics.
It all began as a partnership between state and the
private enterprise. State support came in the form of approvals, land
allocation and funding mainly raised by the issuance of MFFO bills providing liquidity.
These credit notes were sold to wealthy individuals and companies dealing in banking,
investment and other capital market intermediaries.
Partner Selection
The Fuhrer identified key German establishments
that could fit the bill. The leading lights at that time include but not
limited to giants like Krupp, IG Farben, Siemens and AEG who were best known
and well accepted. Pubic acceptance is the key for identifying and selecting
the right candidates who could marshal physical and human assets in proper
combination to bring the out best results.
Main Actors
Krupp
the steel and industrial giant was tasked to manufacture all range of moving
weaponry such as wheeled tanks, artillery pieces, trucks for transporting
troops and military supplies at faster speed
IG Farben
the chemical giant was appointed as solo producer & supplier of synthetic
rubber, fuel, and Zyklon B
Siemens the electrical and electronic giant was chosen as the lead producer, supplier and maintenance firm for all things that is electrical
AEG, was
given the noble job of manufacturing aircrafts and related components,
locomotives and railway stock with a special option of providing observation
cameras fitted into the system along with radio communication equipments.
Let me say this
boldly. During the WWII, it was Germany who exhibited technical and
technological brilliance which was later copied on by the so-called allied
forces.
By-products
In addition to the military side, the Fuhrer
encouraged German firms to devote time and effort to improve the ‘quality of
living’ within Germany. He understood that to have strong geoeconomics power, the domestic economics must be placed
up-scale. Hence, the selected companies were given additional work on
turning out consumer products. Volkswagen car, radios. Televisions, textiles
& clothings and coffee mixers are few of the items developed & patented
by German military industrial complex during the Hitler Era.
Conclusion
Today the ruling German coalition is clueless as
regards to finding a via
media in balancing domestic economics and strengthening geoeconomics
status. Lopsided policies that prioritised European Union at the expense of
domestic compulsions have resulted in the mess they are in.
Then for the Fuhrer, navigating strategy amid geoeconomics was vital for both domestic and external success. Sadly, Germany has missed the bus today!
Cheers!
Muthu Ashraff
Strategy Adviser
Mobile: + 94 777 265677
E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com
Blog: Strategy Adviser
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