Germany and the paradox of thrift

Defending Germany  by Krugman

OK, I’ve just written a couple of posts talking about the harm German policy is doing. But this is dumb and destructive:

Berlin’s attention to its own domestic priorities seems likely to stir resentment that the medicine of austerity prescribed by Berlin abroad is administered with less zeal at home. Analysts say the contrast is angering voters throughout Europe, where populist and anti-European Union parties are steadily gaining strength outside Germany.

No, no, no! This is the euro equivalent of “American families are having to tighten its belts, so the government should tighten its belt too.” We want Germany to spend more, so that it provides a market for other countries and stops adding so much to the world’s excess savings. The last thing European debtors, or anyone else for that matter, should demand is that Germany put on a hair shirt.

So please, Germany, live it up.