Selbstbeschrankter Realismus und geographisch begrenzter Idealismus

In: Welt-Trends: das außenpolitische Journal, Heft 43, S. 35-40

Abstract

Although Hellmann's warning against a resocialization of German foreign policy as a traditional superpower role stimulates sympathy, his alternative, while morally honorable, is only realistic within the processes of European integration. The decisive elements in theoretical consideration of realism & offensive idealism are the fact that the definition of good & evil is dependent on the free will of people & is not normative, & that people are justified in the use of force to protect their ethical values. Yet force should not become the monopoly of any single group, & multipolarity is therefore a necessary structural characteristic of a peaceful future international system. It is unlikely that the offensive idealist concept of the fall of the national state will occur; rather multiethnic "national" states may become the model, which does not preclude European integration. Germany can support the integration process, so long as the resulting Europeanization of its partners leads to strengthened ties to the interest groups & EU institutions. L. Kehl