Karl-Friedrich Israel

  For decades, Germany was the economic engine of Europe. Its prosperity rested on a highly competitive industrial sector, a strong export orientation and a reputation for engineering excellence. Even as other advanced economies shifted toward services, Germany maintained a large manufacturing base that became central to its economic model. Today, however, the German economy […]

  Education is a key driver of human capital. Countries that develop the skills and talents of their populations enjoy lasting advantages in productivity, entrepreneurship and scientific discovery. For this reason, education policy has always been closely linked to long-term national competitiveness. Today, however, the global education landscape faces a significant challenge. Artificial intelligence is […]

Milton Friedman is often quoted as having said something to the effect that inflation is taxation without legislation on multiple occasions during his career (cf. for example Friedman and Friedman 1980, Ch. 9). In other words, he pointed out that inflation is a tax without democratic legitimacy. Citizens do not vote on it. Other economists […]

  In late 2025, the European Union agreed to accelerate the removal of the customs-duty exemption for imported parcels valued under 150 euros, a technical change that will take effect from mid-2026. Under the new regime, low-value parcels entering the EU from third countries will be subject to a fixed customs duty, ending a long-standing […]

  Universities are often idealized as neutral spaces of knowledge creation and critical thinking. However, this image has never been entirely accurate, and it is increasingly at odds with reality. Across many disciplines, research agendas and teaching practices are shaped less by open-ended investigation and more by ideological alignment. The politicization of academic life has […]