Germany : In Search of Identity and Role
Contents: 1. Evolution of the idea of the German \'Volk\'. 2. The Nazi ideology. 3. German historical identity. 4. From \'Volk\' to nation. 5. German nationhood and national character. 6. Recapitulating the German problem. 7. The cold war and German identity. 8. Changing identity : Brandt\'s Ostpolitik I. 9. Ostopolitik II. 10. The results of Ostpolitik (Eyewitness). 11. Other results of Ostpolitik. 12. \'Die Wende\': reunification. 13. Its implications and consequences. 14. The price of reunification. 15. The unique experiment : integrating the east. 16. New role (Eyewitness). 17. The question of identity continues. 18. New militarism? 19. German out-of-area operations (chart). 20. Three schools (Eyewitness: present author\'s interviews). 21. The European Union and Germany. 22. The course of German Foreign Policy : pre-Iraq War 2003. 23. German Foreign Policy and the Iraq War. Conclusion. Notes. Appendices.
"The cataclysmic events during 1989-91 saw the Berlin Wall Umble Down, Germany united after nearly half-a-century, and the harakiri of the mighty Soviet Union.
When the debris cleared, Germany re-emerged as a seemingly confident actor in Europe, and the cold war-free world. With Paris, Berlin became the motor force of European integration, its armed forces cut down by half, its economy ranking among the three most powerful.
Germany\'s geographic location at the heart of Europe gives it a key role to play in that continent\'s affairs. Berlin today is the major catalyst between East and West Europe.
The neighbours, deep within, are not without trepidation at this Teutonic resurrection. If no longer militarily United Germany packs power economically, enough to cause worry.
A lively debate in Germany, and Europe, continues on this powerful nation\'s future role. At times, the Germans themselves are uncertain. The different mind-set of east Germany adds to that uncertainty.
Germany today is in search of a durable, peaceful identity. This book examines that search and analyses the driving force behind it. Besides a critical review of the past, it lays bare the shattering event of reunification.
It sifts through historic events and documents. Many of the documents are presented here, some extremely rare. This book, hence, provides deep insights into the inner struggle of the \'uncertain giant\' in the 21 century." (jacket)
