Civilian power and ‘history-making’ decisions

Abstract:

This article examines 'history-making' decisions on Europe by the German government, drawing on the concept of civilian power, which has been refined by international relations theorists, subjecting it to a political science critique. Three case studies - of economic and monetary union (EMU), dual enlargement and European defence and security policy - are discussed and compared with the aim of assessing the value of civilian power for the analysis and explanation of key German decisions. The focus is on agenda-setting in relation to key 'history-making' decisions. It is argued tht German European policy behaviour is better explained by civilian power than realism or neo-liberal institutionalism. However, civilian power does not adequately capture the complex attitudes and values at work in Germany, the interests brought to bear in a fragmented, sectorised policy process, the resource limitations on pursuing this approach, and the external conditions for sustaining such a role.