Editing German model (section)

== Counter-argument: Rise of the German model ==
[[File:Annual Export to 2008.jpg|thumb|Annual exports of different countries]]As of 2009 and the recent worldwide economic downturn, some analysts <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7837266.stm|title=Germany's orderly 'social market'|date=January 19, 2009|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> have speculated that the German model of social capitalism is resurgent and is the most responsible economic system that still ensures the survival of the [[free market]]. With recent economic schemes and company abuses, such as in the [[Bernard Madoff]] scandal,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/16/business/medici.4-409629.php|title=From behind the curtain, Madoff drew in victims in New York Times 2009-01-16}}</ref> the [[Enron#2001 accounting scandals|Enron scandal]], and the [[2008 financial crisis]], the German model of a rigidly structured and regulated economy has become more attractive.

From 2003 to 2008, Germany (a nation with only 80 million inhabitants) was the world's biggest exporter. In 2009, China (1.3 billion inhabitants) overtook Germany in exports.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090111205023/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/19/content_10528088.htm German export to remain world's biggest in 2008, difficult year ahead], cinaview at 2008-12-19.

[http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1018775.shtml German exports rose in November 2009; China overtakes Germany as the world's top goods exporter], finfacts at 2010-01-08.</ref> One of the reasons for this are the [[Hidden Champions]] as a result of the German Model.<ref>Simon, Hermann: Hidden Champions of the 21st Century : Success Strategies of unknown World Market Leaders. London: Springer, 2009.- {{ISBN|978-0-387-98147-5}}.</ref> Germany's [[Hartz concept|Hartz Reforms]] and a growing low-wage sector are believed to have weakened the core setup of this German Model.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/questioning-the-claim-of-germanys-employment-miracle-106895|title=Questioning the claim of Germany's 'employment miracle'|last=Tripathi|first=Ravi Kant|website=The Conversation|language=en|access-date=2019-09-23}}</ref>