There were massive transfers, and national resources were devoted to gigantic infrastructure projects. That was not enough to halt the hollowing out of the eastern Länder, as many of the ablest and most entrepreneurial people left – an experience that put enormous strain on national solidarity.
顾虑对南欧国家的转移支付的德国人显然对德国在1989—1990年共产主义东德崩溃后实现重新统一记忆犹新。当时发生了大规模转移支付，国家资源被大量用于大型基础设施项目。但饶是如此，东部联邦仍然没能摆脱空心化的命运，因为大量最有能力、最具企业家精神的东德人都离开了那里，这段经历为民族凝聚力蒙上了厚厚一层阴影。