The New Permissive Use of Force - A Window for Change in German Foreign Policy?

Master's Thesis , 2003 , 72 Pages , Grade: 8 (of 10)

Politics - Topic: German Foreign Policy

If we look back at more than a decade of united Germany’s foreign policy, there seems to be a shift away from the former military `culture of restraint`. Throughout the 1990s, German troops have been increasingly deployed in military operations `out of area` and for the first time since the Second World War participated in combat missions in the Kosovo War in 1999. Consequently, the “FRG has read the signs of the new time and feels ready to take on the role of a European power”. Has the reunited country actually gained power? Has the removal of the last boundaries of German sovereignty triggered a quest for more political autonomy that manifests itself in an increased military activity? Does this comparatively more `permissive` use of force indicate a fundamental shift away from former traditional principles of the Bonn Republic? Or does the Berlin Republic head toward a militarized German foreign policy in the context of Euro-Atlantic hegemony?

It is Germany’s security policy as a cornerstone of foreign policy that I am going to examine between 1990 and 2003 to be able to make some inferences of foreign policy changes. Secondly, by looking of some factors that might have had an impact on these eventual changes one might additionally gain some further implications. The aim of this thesis is therefore twofold: I intend to contribute with this work to the debate whether since reunification change or continuity prevails in German foreign policy, while I additionally attempt a causal analyses of new elements in it. The scope of that debate will be in so far enhanced as it tries to generate causal inferences as well.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. INTRODUCTION
  • 1. Germany and the Dual Change: Unification and the End of the Cold War
  • 2. Focus and Scope of the Case
  • 3. Concepts and Theoretical Literature
  • 4. Argument and Outline of the Chapters
• II. GERMANY'S POWER POSITION: THE NEOREALIST APPROACH
  • 1. Contents
  • 2. Relevance
  • 3. Application
    • 3.1 Case 1: Integration of the Bundeswehr in NATO/EU
    • 3.2 Case 2: German participation in out-of-area operations
  • 4. Evaluation
  • 5. Summary
• III. DOMESTIC INTERESTS: THE UTILITARIAN LIBERAL APPROACH
  • 1. Contents
  • 2. Relevance
  • 3. Application
    • 3.1 Case 1: Integration of the Bundeswehr in NATO/EU
    • 3.2 Case 2: German participation in out-of-area operations
  • 4. Evaluation
  • 5. Summary
• IV. 'GERMAN' AND ‘INTERNATIONAL' NORMS: A CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH
  • 1. Contents
  • 2. Relevance
  • 3. Application
    • 3.1 International norms and the dual change
    • 3.2 Societal norms and the dual change
    • 3.3 Case 1: Integration of the Bundeswehr in NATO/EU
    • 3.4 Case 2: German participation in out-of-area operations
  • 4. Evaluation
  • 5. Summary

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis explores the evolution of German foreign policy with a focus on the use of force in the context of the country's dual transformation – unification and the end of the Cold War. It aims to analyze the impact of these transformative events on the country's strategic decision-making and its approach to military engagement. The work examines the interplay of domestic and international factors that shape Germany's power position, its foreign policy priorities, and its evolving role in international affairs.

• The changing role of Germany in the international system.
• The influence of domestic politics and interests on German foreign policy.
• The impact of international norms and societal values on German military engagement.
• The evolution of Germany's military capabilities and its use of force in a post-Cold War context.
• The application of theoretical perspectives, such as neorealism, liberalism, and constructivism, to analyze German foreign policy decision-making.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• I. INTRODUCTION: This chapter sets the stage by outlining the context of German foreign policy in the post-Cold War era, emphasizing the significance of unification and the dual change. The chapter introduces the central research question, the scope of the case study, key concepts and theoretical literature, and outlines the structure of the following chapters.
• II. GERMANY'S POWER POSITION: THE NEOREALIST APPROACH: This chapter analyzes Germany's power position from a neorealist perspective. It examines the implications of the Cold War's end for Germany's strategic interests, its military capabilities, and its role in the international security architecture. The chapter assesses how Germany's foreign policy choices are shaped by its power position and the pursuit of national interests.
• III. DOMESTIC INTERESTS: THE UTILITARIAN LIBERAL APPROACH: This chapter explores the role of domestic interests in shaping Germany's foreign policy. It examines how domestic political actors, institutions, and societal preferences influence Germany's approach to international security and the use of force. The chapter analyzes the interplay between domestic politics and German foreign policy decision-making.
• IV. 'GERMAN' AND ‘INTERNATIONAL' NORMS: A CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH: This chapter applies a constructivist framework to understand the influence of norms on Germany's foreign policy. It examines the role of international norms and societal values in shaping German perceptions of security, its military role, and its approach to international cooperation. The chapter explores the interplay between norms, identity, and German foreign policy decision-making.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key focus of this thesis lies in exploring the new 'permissive' use of force by Germany in a post-Cold War context. This involves examining the interplay of domestic and international factors shaping German foreign policy, including its power position, domestic interests, international norms, and societal values. The study analyzes Germany's evolving role in the international security architecture and its growing engagement in out-of-area operations, using theoretical perspectives like neorealism, liberalism, and constructivism to shed light on German foreign policy decision-making.

• College: University of Amsterdam (FMG)
• Grade: 8 (of 10)
• Author: Lutz Lindenau (Author)
• Publication Year: 2003
• Pages: 72
• Catalog Number: V18488
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638228237
• ISBN (Book): 9783640667116
• Language: English
• Tags: Permissive, Force, Window, Change, German, Foreign, Policy