State crisis aid and citizens' expectations

The state is too big, too expensive, too invasive - this complaint is now part of the political noise. At the same time, the call for this same state becomes particularly loud as soon as a crisis hits one's own wallet. If the price of gasoline rises, the state should provide relief. And if gas prices remain high in the coming heating season, the next demand for government support should not be long in coming.

Politics itself helped create this expectation. This year alone, the energy tax on petrol and diesel has already been reduced for two months. Costs: around 1.6 billion euros. The next fuel discount will now follow for October to December for around 2.5 billion euros. The federal government is already helping households and companies with billions in gas and electricity costs.

Of course, the state must be able to act in crises. That is exactly the promise of the welfare state. Anyone who finds themselves in existential distress due to an external shock should be able to rely on the community to support them. It becomes problematic when every loss of prosperity gives rise to a claim for compensation.