Billionaires are a reflection of the political, economic and technological dynamics of their societies. It therefore makes sense to compare the ten richest billionaires in Germany and the United States like a woodcut. I do this anonymously to maintain respect and only shed light on general patterns. As I said, it can't be more than a small approximation.
Thomas Druyen has been studying the effects of change on the psyche, society and generations for over three decades. He has been director of the Institute for Future Psychology and Future Management since 2015 and director of the Institute for Comparative Wealth Culture and Wealth Psychology at the Sigmund Freud Private University in Vienna since 2006. His current book is called: “Learning from the future – the guide for concrete change.”
The United States is the driving force in the global innovation economy. Their greatest fortunes come from industries such as technology, software, e-commerce and social media. Companies like Apple, Google, Meta and Amazon prove this. Artificial intelligence is also and above all at the center of these success stories.
American billionaires use machine learning, automation and personalized algorithms to dominate existing markets and create new markets. Currently, nine of the ten richest people in the world are from America. Almost all of them owe their gigantic and epochal success directly to the integration of AI into their business models.
For them, these technologies are not just tools, but the core of their economic and entrepreneurial strategies. This approach is not characterized by an altruistic culture, but often by aggressive and omnipotent behavior aimed at dominance. The dominant platform entrepreneurs deliberately use disruptive technologies and market-dominating strategies to mercilessly maximize their influence.
Germany has a completely different structure. The billionaires are dominated by logistics, assembly technology and discounter groups, as well as private equity, software and investment companies. This is followed by traditional industries such as mechanical engineering and automobile production, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, etc.
All of this contributes to great fortunes. Companies in these areas in particular have made a name for themselves worldwide through functionality and quality. Some German billionaires are also heirs to family businesses that have grown over generations.
Although AI is increasingly being used in these industries, its focus remains tentative: it is primarily used to optimize processes and improve efficiency. There are hardly any German billionaires who have made their fortune primarily through AI.
Instead, it is seen as a supporting element that is integrated into existing business models rather than fundamentally changing them. This conservative approach reflects the stability and focus on a security-preserving tradition that is deeply rooted in the German economy.
Before we think any further, we must note that according to Statista, the fortunes of the ten richest billionaires are now between 11 and approximately 37 billion US dollars. In the USA, the same source gives a range between 105 and 200 billion dollars. Other sources at Musk are already talking about $400 billion. In any case, we are talking about very different dimensions, which are certainly clearly reflected in the influence.
Another crucial difference lies in the educational landscape. The United States is known for its top universities such as Harvard, Stanford and MIT, which are global leaders in the research and development of new technologies, including AI. These institutions not only attract the best minds from around the world, but also encourage entrepreneurship and risk-taking.
Many American billionaires began their careers at such universities, which serve as incubators for innovation. These connections between education, research and top companies create an ecosystem that drives growth, progress and vision.
In Germany, universities are generally more focused on academic and industry-specific training and are less closely and deeply intertwined with the economy. Although we also have universities of excellence and technical colleges, the same support for start-ups and entrepreneurship that is common in the USA is often missing. In addition, international reputation and field leadership don't come along often.
The general stimulation and attractiveness that was created globally by an innovative company like Biontech is still too rare. Without a doubt, we have absolutely competitive top organizations, for example the Helmholtz Research Network or the Max Planck Institutes. But they are far less well known to the public than their importance.
Another important aspect is the influence of billionaires on politics. In the United States, this influence is obvious and institutionalized. Many super-rich people invest enormous sums in election campaigns, lobbying and political foundations. This gives them a significant say in policy decisions, from tax regulations to environmental laws.
Organizations funded by billionaires often set national or even global agendas that have far-reaching consequences for society and the economy. This direct connection between wealth and power has a long tradition in the United States and is supported by a system that allows political donations to be largely unrestricted. The current Trump administration is often described as oligarchism.
In Germany, the political influence of billionaires is much more reserved. Although lobbying and political networks also exist here, the system is more regulated and less dependent on individual large donors. This leads to less direct influence of the super-rich on political decisions.
Instead, many German billionaires are involved in foundations, the promotion of science or charitable projects, which often pursue social or cultural goals. This reluctance may be cultural, but it also reflects the different political systems, which in the USA are much more oriented towards private sector financing.
Members of the middle classes are more frequently represented in our Bundestag and in the responsible political management positions. Overall, we also see enormous differences in mentalities, self-image and also in the ability for self-criticism and self-reflection among the super-rich, which has been part of the cultural DNA in Germany for seventy years.
In this sketchy comparison, it is important to shed light on the different goals and visions of the two nations. The United States strives to push the boundaries of what is possible. Projects such as the Mars mission, the commercialization of the moon journey and, above all, the use of AI in all areas of life are evidence of this pioneering and dominant spirit.
Billionaires are investing in large-scale visions that not only drive technological progress, but literally take humanity to new worlds. This drive to “make the impossible possible” reflects the American mentality: to take risks and dominate globally.
At the same time, there is a fundamental difference in the economic structure: While the USA can act more self-sufficiently in many areas, Germany's prosperity is based heavily on its role as an export nation. Industrial goods such as machinery, vehicles and chemical products are the basis of German exports and make the country highly dependent on international markets.
This dependence requires stability and long-term partnerships, while the US has more flexibility and independence due to its large domestic market. The necessary leadership role in Europe also makes it much more complicated for Germany to directly implement its own interests.
From my point of view, the comprehensive and exponential use of artificial intelligence for and in our society is the decisive and ultimate step to lead all our talents and achievements competitively into the future. I think the different generations, the entrepreneurs and the youth of our country can and want to implement this. However, the current cultural switch must be radically flipped. In this regard, the political parties do not seem to have a clear concept of how to utilize these highly wealthy drivers of progress.
If individual parties even propose a ban on billionaires, one can suspect that this will be viewed internationally as an oath of disclosure and not as a lighthouse strategy.
