The constrained power : Germany's evolving security role since the end of the cold war

Abstract

The Federal Republic of Germany, especially after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, is considered to be one of the major players in European politics and also in international politics. Germany's goals in foreign and security policy have a certain amount of clout not only in national politics but also across the whole world. The Federal Republic's influence on world affairs is clearly shown in Germany's influence Ill EU, NATO, UN and also G8 meetings. Since the inception of the European Union (then the European Economic Community), the Federal Republic of Germany, thanks to Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, has had a central place in the new European framework that emerged and subsequently succeeded after the devastation of World War II. Germany, situated in the heart of the 'old continent' is considered to be the "backbone" of the European Union. Besides this, Germany also has a big say within other organizations such as NATO, UN, OSCE, G8 and others. In all of these organizations the Federal Republic of Germany is one of the top countries that provide both financial and also human resources, for further research, expertise and also for out-of-area missions, in which Germany is highly active. All of the above has been a process of evolution. The Federal Republic of Germany has been growing in the fiel<i of secmity anrl clefonce The secmity policy of G«:'rmany has evolved through changes in the Basic Law and through new and innovative concepts within the Bundeswehr. Even if it evolved in a constrained scenario, Germany's security policy is an area that cannot be sidelined when looking at the international scenario as its main aim is to continue to safeguard peace and stability both in Europe and in the whole world.