The Bundeswehr buys its equipment under a fixed procedure for project-based procurement. It begins with an analysis phase. A team analyzes and assesses the possible solutions for a capability gap, and the different options must be compared.
Possible solutions are assessed for performance, time, costs and risks over the whole life of the equipment. The documents include elements of an economic efficiency analysis. The procedure states: “The selection decision concludes the analysis phase.”
When a person in Germany needs long-term care, the level of support depends on a Pflegegrad, a care grade from 1 to 5. The law requires that the grade be determined with a professionally grounded assessment instrument.
The instrument scores six areas of life with fixed weights. Self-care counts for 40 percent, mobility for 10 percent, and everyday life and social contacts for 15 percent. A total of 12.5 to under 27 points means care grade 1. A total of 90 to 100 points means care grade 5.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz hoped that disputes could one day be settled the way accountants settle a sum. In his essay De arte characteristica he wrote that two philosophers would then need no more argument than two accountants. It would be enough to take pens in hand, sit down at the abacus and say to each other: Calculemus. Let us calculate.
In German university theology, the historical-critical method is the leading method of interpreting the Bible. It asks what meaning a biblical text had at the time it was written. Students work through a series of analyses, such as text criticism, form criticism, literary criticism and transmission criticism.
In one university guide, the theological statement about the text comes only as step 12 of 13. Its scholars include Julius Wellhausen and Hermann Gunkel.
The German Bible Society’s lexicon also notes that critics in recent decades have pointed to the limits of the method.
German legal trainees, the Referendare, learn the Relationstechnik, a step-by-step method for preparing a judgment in a civil case. It separates the plaintiff’s account from the defendant’s account. The trainee first works through the plaintiff’s station, then the defendant’s station.
Only then comes the evidence station. “Das Gericht erhebt nämlich nur dann Beweis, wenn die entscheidungserheblichen Tatsachen streitig sind.” The court takes evidence only when the facts that decide the case are disputed. At the end of this stage of their training, they write a complete Relation.
Germany’s Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan rates proposed projects with a benefit-cost analysis. Its central measure is the benefit-cost ratio. “Ist das NKV größer 1, überwiegen die Nutzen des Projektes dessen Kosten.” If the ratio is greater than 1, the benefits of a project outweigh its costs.
For the 2030 plan, more than 1,000 rail proposals were submitted. After duplicates were removed, about 400 projects remained, and the ministry gave each one a first evaluation. A project could rise into the category of urgent need only with a positive economic evaluation, a benefit-cost ratio above 1.
Twice a year, a working group meets to estimate Germany’s tax revenue. The group has existed since 1955. Its members include five economic research institutes, the Bundesbank, the Council of Economic Experts and the Federal Statistical Office.
Eight of the members each make their own estimate for every single tax, independently of the others. The group then discusses the estimates until it reaches a consensus that all members can support. The spring estimate is the basis for the federal budget draft for the following year.
In the Grimm tale Hans im Glück, Hans receives a lump of gold as big as his head for seven years of work. On the way home he trades the gold for a horse, the horse for a cow, the cow for a pig, the pig for a goose, and the goose for a whetstone. A field stone is added, and at the end both stones fall into a well.
Hans is not unhappy. “So glücklich wie ich”, he cries, “giebt es keinen Menschen unter der Sonne.” There is no one under the sun as happy as I am.
Each trade seems good to Hans at the moment he makes it. Each trade also leaves him with less.
Wer den Pfennig nicht ehrt, ist des Talers nicht wert.
Whoever does not respect the penny is not worth the thaler.
Kleinvieh macht auch Mist.
Small animals also make manure. Small amounts add up.
der Pfennigfuchser
a penny-pincher, a person who counts every penny
der Sparfuchs
the saving fox, a person who always finds the cheapest way
am falschen Ende sparen
to save at the wrong end, to save in a way that costs more later
About 60 percent of German consumers look at supermarket advertising flyers at least once a week. This was the result of a survey of 1,300 adults by the consultancy Oliver Wyman, published in September 2022. Co-author Jens von Wedel named the reason: “Es geht zumeist um eine sparsame Haushaltsführung.” It is mostly about running the household economically.
According to the market researcher GfK, more than 80 percent of flyer readers would switch to another store for an offer.