Germany as a civilian power? The foreign policy of the Berlin Republic

Book abstract:

This book forms part of a series, Issues in German Politics, which provides scholarly analysis of domestic and foreign policy in the post unity era. Since the Nazi era of the Second World War, West Germany has pursued a successful foreign policy in joining the European Community and NATO. This book examines how the unification of Germany has affected the success of its foreign policies. The book centres on the concept of 'Civilian Power' and asks to what extent this concept can be used to describe and explain Germany's foreign policy in the 1990's.

The book has six chapters that look at whether Germany is still a 'Civilian Power' in relation to six different themes. It begins with a look at the concept of 'Civilian Power' itself in relation to Germany, and the role Germany has played in the Eastern enlargement of NATO. The second chapter examines research into Germany's European policy based on its role in the development of the European Community. The third chapter examines how the concept of 'Civilian Power' has been affected by Germany's decision to participate in military operations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Germany's stance towards the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty is then examined, followed by a chapter which discusses the idea of civilian power and its relation to Germany's human rights policy. Finally, German foreign policy since the war in Kosovo is examined.

The book is aimed at students and those with an interest in Germany or the application of a civilian power role concept to research. Sebastian Harnisch is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Trier. Hanns W. Maull is Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science, University of Trier.