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Ludwig Erhard: A Biography
In the first English-language biography of one of the most important figures in postwar German history, Alfred C. Mierzejewski examines the life and service of Ludwig Erhard (1897-1977), West Germany's first minister of economics and second chancellor. Erhard liberalized the German economy in 1948 and is generally considered the father of West Germany's "economic miracle" -the period of extraordinary growth in jobs and improvement in the standard of living in the 1950s that helped stabilize Germany's first successful democracy. While recent scholarship has dismissed Erhard's influence on Germany's economic recovery, Mierzejewski returns to little-cited German analyses and Erhard's own record and concludes that Allied currency reform and Erhard's liberalization of the economy were crucial triggers for Germany's unprecedented economic boom. Mierzejewski provides insight into Erhard's policies, his ideas, his character, and his relationships with Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle. By offering a fresh account of Erhard's career as a leader in postwar West Germany, Mierzejewski provides a deeper understanding of Germany's economy as well as its democracy.
296 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2004
About the author
Alfred C. Mierzejewski
11 books6 followersAlfred C. Mierzejewski is professor of German history at the University of North Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 29, 2015
Following Germany's defeat in World War II it was divided between communist Soviet Union who administered over East Germany and the democratic countries that divided West Germany into zones for the U.S., England and France.
As the economics minister under the American controlled Bavarian sector he saved BMW car factory from dismantling through a letter and was well liked by the American overseers for his free market ideas. His ideas led him to be appointed as the German economics minister.
In that role he had the Duetsche mark easily convertible into other currencies to facilitate trade, he promoted capital accumulation by offering low purchase stock to average citizens and financially restructured destroyed industry. He was a life long nemesis of Germany's cartels (or monopolies)as well.
These free market solutions made West Germany the second wealthiest country in the world in the 1950's. However, he had to continually fight with his socialistic president Konrad Adenauer. President Adenauer ushered in new government programs such as a pension system.
These programs put tremendous weight on the German economic machine. When the 1960's hit the machine slowed just as the miracle creator Ludwig Erhard was elected Chancellor succeeding Adenauer.
As Chancellor Erhard extended the years for Nazi crimes retribution. He also tried to eliminate cartels but was only able to get a water downed law which had little effect. He was ousted in 1966 serving just under 4 years as Chancellor.
He believed that the German people would eventually subscribe to his free market ideas. However, they did not and as a result were surpassed by other countries on the wealthiest country list.
As the economics minister under the American controlled Bavarian sector he saved BMW car factory from dismantling through a letter and was well liked by the American overseers for his free market ideas. His ideas led him to be appointed as the German economics minister.
In that role he had the Duetsche mark easily convertible into other currencies to facilitate trade, he promoted capital accumulation by offering low purchase stock to average citizens and financially restructured destroyed industry. He was a life long nemesis of Germany's cartels (or monopolies)as well.
These free market solutions made West Germany the second wealthiest country in the world in the 1950's. However, he had to continually fight with his socialistic president Konrad Adenauer. President Adenauer ushered in new government programs such as a pension system.
These programs put tremendous weight on the German economic machine. When the 1960's hit the machine slowed just as the miracle creator Ludwig Erhard was elected Chancellor succeeding Adenauer.
As Chancellor Erhard extended the years for Nazi crimes retribution. He also tried to eliminate cartels but was only able to get a water downed law which had little effect. He was ousted in 1966 serving just under 4 years as Chancellor.
He believed that the German people would eventually subscribe to his free market ideas. However, they did not and as a result were surpassed by other countries on the wealthiest country list.
May 10, 2026
Very interesting. The first part of the book describes the theoretical beliefs of Erhard, with the 150 pages afterwards describing his battles to implement his ideas.
Erhard wanted the best for Germany's citizens and was not eager to play political games. It led to little success as Kanzler, but it is something I can definitely respect.
Erhard wanted the best for Germany's citizens and was not eager to play political games. It led to little success as Kanzler, but it is something I can definitely respect.
March 26, 2021
Good book
August 15, 2016
An excellent eighty pages describing Erhard's intellectual development and the early progress he made as minister of economics. Oh wait... those eighty pages are followed by one hundred and thirty pages of tired description of events.
I realize that these must exist for the sake of completion, but they were not enjoyable to read. In conclusion, I must re-emphasize and highly recommend the excellent work contained in the first eighty pages.
I realize that these must exist for the sake of completion, but they were not enjoyable to read. In conclusion, I must re-emphasize and highly recommend the excellent work contained in the first eighty pages.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews