#95 | Self-made billionaires - just a myth?

"The fairy tale of rags to riches justifies social inequality."

Many believe in the narrative that hard work and discipline automatically lead to success. But what if this promise of achievement is not only false, but even dangerous? What if the rise of the super-rich is not based on performance, but on financial advantages, political connections and state support? Then it's time to take a closer look - at the origins of the Silicon Valleys of this world, at the true price of patents and at a system that is widening the social gap.

"We are kings of niches and no longer play a role in the 21st century."

Heike Buchter takes a critical look at the German spirit of innovation and finds that not a single one of the ten most valuable companies in the world is from Germany. While the USA specifically creates spaces for innovation and promotes new players, Germany holds back on investment - and instead complains about an alleged lack of inventiveness. In an interview with Georgiy Michailov, Buchter explains the role played by family businesses and why ownership is often preserved rather than opened up for progress.

"More and more billionaires, more and more frustration, more and more AfD."

Is the steady growth of the super-rich a sign of economic strength or an expression of a massive imbalance? While the number of billionaires in Germany is reaching new records, broad sections of the population are being economically marginalized. Buchter sees this growing frustration as one of the main causes of political shifts - such as the rise of the AfD. After all, those who remain permanently excluded from the system will eventually turn away from it. 

*Video only in German