Why America's economy is soaring ahead of its rivals (ft.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the reasons behind America's economic success compared to its rivals, with some commenters attributing it to the country's post-war efforts and free market principles. However, the article's content is not available, and the discussion is based on the comments. The conversation revolves around the role of the US military in Germany and the country's economic growth. The US military presence in Germany is seen as a factor in the country's prosperity, but opinions on the nature of this presence vary.

Main themes

• US economic success
• Post-war reconstruction
• Free market principles
• US military presence
• German economy
• Cold War politics

What commenters say

• The US military presence in Germany was a key factor in the country's post-war economic growth and stability.
• The US placed its military bases worldwide out of its own self-interest, rather than to protect other countries.
• Germany's economic success can be attributed to its adoption of free market principles, but the country's economy was not a pure free market.
• The US military presence in Germany was not an occupation, but rather a mutually beneficial arrangement that protected Germany from Soviet invasion.
• The idea that Germany could have expelled the US military at any time is disputed, with some arguing that the country's sovereignty was limited by post-war treaties and conventions.
• The US military's behavior in Germany, including incidents of sexual crimes, has been a source of tension and controversy.
• The comparison between East and West Germany's economic performance suggests that cultural factors, rather than policy, may have played a significant role in their respective successes.
• The US is seen as a good place to make money, but a challenging place to retire, particularly due to healthcare concerns.