Publisher's Synopsis
This analysis of German foreign and defence policy is particularly apposite in the present context of increasing global instability and the re-emergence of multi-polar power structures. Germany's economic strength and key strategic position in an increasingly homogenized Europe has led to the expectation of it adopting a more central role in European foreign policy, and reformulating its post-war policy of non-offensive defence.;Lothar Gutjahr charts the evolution of German foreign and defence policy since Yalta, examines the differing perspectives of each of the parties and the main evolution in their thinking both before and since unification. Each chapter describes different strands of foreign policy outlooks within each respective party, in order not only to give a fuller picture of the spectrum of opinion but mostly to define emerging issues of both intra- and inter-party debate. The book concludes that there is now a broad consensus between the three main parties in the Bundestag. "Genscherism" is no longer just a distinct liberal concept, but is embraced by all three.
