'Power and Signals: Explaining the German Approach to European Security'
Journal
Journal of International Relations and Development
ISSN
1408-6980
ISSN-Digital
1581-1980
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2009-09-01
Author(s)
Weiss, Moritz
Abstract
This article explains some of the recent changes in German foreign policy, namely the shift in preferences for institution building in the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The empirical exploration compares the phase before the European Union's (EU) Intergovernmental Conference in the mid-1990s with the Convention negotiations in 2002/2003. While the German government used to be a strong defender of NATO's primacy and supported a modest scope for the EU, it then began to promote high-intensity crisis management for ESDP and wanted to see the EU on an equal footing with NATO. Building on neoclassical realist thought, the paper argues that a two-stage analysis of the power context offers a comprehensive explanation of these changes. It refers to power in a materialist sense and its cognitive understanding on behalf of the political actors. Based on the assessment of uncertainty stemming from its interpretation of the power context, the German government formed its preferences on what the EU's responsibilities for European security should be and how it should relate to NATO. More specifically, the mixture of isolationist and unilateralist signals sent by the United States increased German concerns about the latter's commitment. The German government adapted to the uncertain power context by promoting stronger responsibilities for ESDP.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Palgrave Macmillan
Publisher place
Basingstoke
Volume
12
Number
3
Start page
317
End page
348
Pages
32
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
56394