Germany and European order. Enlarging NATO and the EU

Book abstract:

By virtue of its size, central geographic location and economic prowess, united Germany is destined to play a pivotal role in post cold-war Europe. This book begins by examining the distinctive nature of European order in the present day. It goes on to outline an innovative conceptual framework for analysing German foreign and security policy drawing on the insights of social construction and classical realism. German policy towards the eastern enlargement of NATO and the EU is also examined closely.

The study critically evaluates a range of perspectives on Germany's role in the new Europe, from claims that the 'Berlin Republic' will be Central Europe's new hegemon, to arguments that Germany remains essentially a civilian power committed to multilateral integration and pan-European co-operation. The book concludes by evaluating Germany's potential contribution to the forging of a stable peace order in Europe.

The chapters are: Introduction: Deutschland über Alles?; Analysing German foreign policy; Conceptualising European order; Germany and the Westphalian states' system; Epochenwende: unification and German grand strategy; NATO and German security policy; The European Union and German Europapolitik; Conclusion: Germany and Europe in the twenty-first century.

Combining theoretical reflection and policy analysis, this book will be of considerable interest to all those concerned with German and European politics in the early years of the twenty-first century.

The book is part of the Issues in German Politics series. Adrian Hyde-Price is Senior Lecturer at the Institute for German Studies at the University of Birmingham.