The Refugees as a Stimulus and a Challenge to the West German Economy

Abstract

It has already been said in the first chapter that it would be contradictory of all the ideals of the Western World to bring up arguments, after the act, in attempted justification of a forced migration. The totalitarian proponents of modern Mercantilism, for example, might sit down and calculate in advance the profits which such a migration might bring. They would find already at hand the costs of bringing up and educating persons to various ages which have frequently been estimated ²). With these figures they might conclude that Western Germany had benefited by a capital gain of approximately $ 5,000 through the arrival of each refugee. Then of course they could turn and congratulate Western Germany on its good fortune, as some have actually done.

“....They (the immigrants) may be able to compete with the native workers by harder work and greater efficiency.

....Friction between immigrants and natives is then almost unavoidable, unless the economy is fast expanding.” — Isaac ¹).