The process of development of the major European states’ sovereignty after the sixteenth century is characterised mainly by different internal struggles for political authority. In comparing the international order of the Cold War period to the international system in the years after 1989, the analysts observe enormous, far-reaching changes which influenced to a great extend the foreign policies and in particular the strategies of the majors states in pursuing relations with the three significant international organizations - NATO, UN and EU. After the end of World War II Winston Churchill envisioned Great Britain as “a global power with global interests” (White, 2002). During the Cold War Period its foreign policy was largely defined by the three “concentric circles of the world politics (The British Empire/Commonwealth, the Atlantic community, and a United Europe)” (White, 2002). Identity and sovereignty were seen as essential foreign policy values. But nowadays Britain faces the need to adapt its policy to the fast changes in the modern international system. The developments in the global environment during the Post-Cold War Era have put many demands on British policy makers and have thereby defined Britain’s place in the world of today. Contemporarily Britain can be clearly seen as a “less sovereign” state, if it is described in terms of realism (Reynolds,1991). However, it is also a state that has always behaved in a sovereign manner and has actively exercised its sovereignty, rather than renouncing it. Britain today is in a situation in which its functions and the way in which it formulates its external relations are affected dramatically by the new international environment, thus challenging its status as a sovereign state. The unilateral strategy of Britain and its commitment to NATO have made it difficult for the country to be an active member in other forms of international organisations (where Transatlanticism does not play such an important role). Despite these challenges for the country’s foreign policy strategies, however, we can also observe a change in the state’s orientation towards Europe. British policy makers are reflecting about the future role of the United States in Europe, not only in terms of security matters but also economic and social development. [...]
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. GERMANY’S FOREIGN POLICY DOCTRINE
2.1. THE COLD WAR PERIOD (1949-1990)
2.2. CONTINUITY AND CHANGE OF GERMAN POLICY IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA
3. BRITAIN AS A “GLOBAL POWER WITH GLOBAL INTERESTS”
3.1. THE POLICY MAKING PROCESS IN THE YEARS OF 1949–1990
3.2. THE CHALLENGES OF THE POST-COLD WAR ERA
4. COMPARING “UNILATERAL” GREAT BRITAIN AND “MULTILATERAL” GERMANY
4.1. THE INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL FACTORS
4.2. MULTILATERALISM AND UNILATERALISM
4.3. THE QUESTION OF SECURITY
4.4. “EUROPEANIZATION” OF FOREIGN POLICIES
4.5. THE ROLE OF NATO, EU AND UN – MARSHALL FUND’S 2005 SURVEY
5. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper aims to compare the foreign policy transformations of Great Britain and Germany since the 1990s, specifically analyzing how these nations shifted their strategies regarding unilateralism, multilateralism, and their roles within international organizations like NATO and the EU.
- Comparative analysis of British and German foreign policy doctrines.
- Evaluation of the impact of internal and external factors on policy shifts.
- Examination of the "Europeanization" of national foreign policies.
- Assessment of the role of NATO, EU, and UN in contemporary security strategies.
- Analysis of public opinion trends regarding international institutions and security.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1. The Influence of External and Internal Factors
Two main groups of factors (external and internal) have been modifying the strategies and eventually the orientations of both states in the Cold War Era, as well as in the Post-Cold War Period. Both countries foreign policies were determined by the changes in the international environment, as well by those in the domestic political culture.
The most significant internal factors that had an impact on the formulation of German foreign policy and orientation are the political party organizations with a key role in the foreign policy making of the country; the individual leaders of these parties, who affected the development of German foreign policy by their different management styles; and the public opinion and attitudes which have affected the choices of the superior decision makers for consideration of various policy alternatives.
In the case of Great Britain the impact of the internal factors can be seen in the Westminster model of policy making and the fact that constitutionally the British foreign policy have always been directed from the centre, which on the other hand explains why it has been closely identified with the concept of sovereignty , independence and national identity, as well as in the increasing role of the domestic actors and the institutional players in the policy making process after the country’s EU membership, which led to a significant expansion of Britain’s foreign policy agenda.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of the transformation of European states' sovereignty and introduces the comparative framework between British and German foreign policies in the post-Cold War era.
2. GERMANY’S FOREIGN POLICY DOCTRINE: Traces the evolution of German policy from its Cold War dependence on Western allies to its post-unification role, characterized by both continuity and adaptation to new international structures.
3. BRITAIN AS A “GLOBAL POWER WITH GLOBAL INTERESTS”: Analyzes Britain's historical self-perception as a global actor and the pressures that forced a shift toward greater European engagement following the end of the Cold War.
4. COMPARING “UNILATERAL” GREAT BRITAIN AND “MULTILATERAL” GERMANY: Provides a direct comparative analysis of both nations, examining how internal and external factors influenced their differing approaches to security, multilateralism, and European integration.
5. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, highlighting how both nations have had to reconcile their core political values with the necessity of adapting to an interdependent international system.
Keywords
Foreign Policy, Comparative Analysis, Great Britain, Germany, Unilateralism, Multilateralism, NATO, European Union, Post-Cold War, Sovereignty, Europeanization, Security Policy, Political Culture, International Organizations, Diplomacy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how German and British foreign policies have evolved and transformed after the 1990s, specifically contrasting Germany's multilateral approach with Britain's historical tendency toward unilateralism.
What are the central thematic areas covered in the analysis?
The study covers the impact of Cold War legacies, the shift in security perceptions, the process of Europeanization, and the role of public opinion in shaping foreign policy agendas.
What is the primary objective of the author?
The objective is to explain the similarities and differences in how these two powerful European nations have adapted their foreign policy strategies in response to a changing global environment.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this work?
The author employs a comparative political science approach, utilizing historical analysis, institutional review, and statistical data from public opinion surveys to support the findings.
What topics are addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body explores specific policy shifts, including military interventions, economic policy adjustments, and the influence of national political structures on foreign decision-making.
Which keywords define the essence of this study?
Key terms include Foreign Policy, Multilateralism, Unilateralism, Europeanization, Sovereignty, and the specific roles of institutions like NATO and the EU.
How did German reunification impact its foreign policy doctrine?
Reunification removed Cold War constraints and required Germany to redefine its role, leading to a stronger commitment to European integration and a more complex multilateral engagement model.
What role did Margaret Thatcher play in the transformation of British foreign policy?
Thatcher's governance was significant for her attempts to renew national pride and her cautious, often skeptical approach toward European integration, which created a distinct tension in Britain’s European policy.
- Quote paper
- Bistra Ivanova (Author), 2006, British and German Foreign Policy in Transformation - Unilateralism in Britain and Multilateralism in Germany - What has changed after the 1990s? - A comparative analysis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66991
