If a German regime took over the running and planning of Ireland in the 1950s..

A lot of the same problems most likely, Germany isn't perfect either. Berlin Brandenburg Airport is a classic example of how Germany can get it wrong too.

Ireland will always suffer from the problem of economies of scale. Germany has the best infrastructure because its economy is wide enough to produce the money necessary to create wealth. Ireland, with only the same population as Berlin, doesn't have that luxury.

The only benefits I can think of there might be better policies. The health service would be properly managed for example.

National attitude might be different too. I'm a believer that a nation's beliefs change and mature over time. Ireland is the grand scheme of things is very young. The incoming European Union grants have transformed Ireland for the better and the influx of European culture means that we have come to expect higher standards. Things are progressing rapidly here, give it time. I know Ireland is far from perfect but if you look at the previous 50 years in Irish progress, the next few decades will be interesting to say the least.

nuac wrote: »

Mod
The OP refers to the 1950s. The Nazis were off the pitch since April 1945 so leave them out of this. OK?

I was presuming the op meant if the Nazis succeeded in the 40's, otherwise this scenario wouldn't make sense?

badabing106 wrote: »

What would Ireland look like today?

If they (or any other regime, free from gombeenism) had wanted to make a go of Ireland as a country, putting all their resources and strategic planning behind it. What would Ireland look like today. What would be the social and economic landscape look like?

Let me get out my calculator

I can't imagine childcare costing 1000 per month in some places? Possibly free or 90 % subsidised with childcare amenities planned for

Housing. Would a average sized house in a nice area in Dublin cost 1 million? Lol. 1/4 million max?

Cost of food and entertainment? 50% less? 148 euro plus 8 euro ticketmaster fees for front row seats to see David Gray in an arena? Are you having a laugh

Sports. Would it have taken 72 years to build an Olympic sized pool in Ireland? Would Ireland be having a national holiday getting dumped out of the soccer world cup quarter finals?

Infrastructure. I presume there would be fast and frequent rail transport from airports


Industry. We would be leaders of renewable energy technologies employing 10s of thousands. The size of the waves off the coast of Ireland

Average industrial wage. Double what it is today

Ireland in the 50's was dirt poor and dependant on agriculture. If the Nazi's took over we would be nothing to them but a peasant working class. Ireland joined the EU in the 70's and lost fishing grounds but gained grants in other areas such as infrastructure and agriculture. By the 90's when the Celtic Tiger took off we were reaping the rewards of investing in education, infrastructure and dissociating from the Catholic Church.

To put it in perspective, my mother didn't progress beyond primary school. It wasn't that she was stupid, it was simply her mother decided it was better for her to go and get a job and start contributing financially. There is 19 years between my mother and oldest brother and not only did he go to secondary school, he also went to university. That's how fast Irish society changed.

This question is silly because if history has taught us anything, it's that invading forces don't care about the locals beyond what they can use them for. Yes Ireland has a housing crisis because of Government mis-management and child care costs are high but socially we are progressive and have come on leaps and bounds in the last 50 years. We no longer throw pregnant women into laundries and sell off their babies. We don't shun gays. Instead of being somewhere you emigrate from, now we have people immigrating here.

Ireland is not perfect by any means but I think we're doing fine. If we could sort out housing, health and child care, we'd be doing great.