Germany's European Policy Challenges

In: Regional and federal studies, Band 10, Heft 2, S. 141-145

Abstract

A review essay on books by (1) Simon Bulmer, Charlie Jeffery, & William E. Patterson, Germany's European Diplomacy: Shaping the Regional Milieu (Manchester & New York: Manchester U Press, 2000); (2) Daniele Conversi, German-Bashing and the Breakup of Yugoslavia (Seattle: U Washington, 1998); & (3) Randall E. Newnham, Poland and Germany, 1989-1991: The Role of Economic Factors in Foreign Policy (Seattle: U Washington, 2000). These changes share a common theme: Germany's European policy. Many of Europe's policymakers have maintained an anti-German position, & any unilateral German initiatives are seen as a maneuver to reestablish German dominance. Newnham argues that Poland & Germany's relationship can & should be emulated by other countries. Conversi uses the case of Germany's relationship with Croatia & Slovenia, & the Yugoslavia situation, to explore the still-prevalent existence of Germanophobia. Bulmer, Jeffrey, & Paterson focus on the influence that Germany has on the EU integration process, & on Germany's relationship with the EU generally. Each of the works makes a significant contribution. K. A. Larsen