What German Responsibility Means – Hanns W. Maull

Title: What German Responsibility Means
Author: Hanns W. Maull

What German Responsibility Means [Maull]

Abstract

“Responsibility” has long been a key political concept in German foreign policy since 1949. It reflects the shadow cast by Germany over Europe during the first half of the last century, and therefore implies a determination to pursue, at home and abroad, policies that are diametrically opposed to those pursued by Berlin under Emperor Wilhelm II and Nazi Germany. In today’s context, German foreign policy “responsibility” has to deal with the breakdown of the pan-European order of Paris. The article argues that Berlin against this background should assume a leadership role within the OSCE along three major lines: new initiatives to launch co-operative security policies; long-term energy co-operation; and co-operative efforts to enhance the very fragile foundations of governance throughout Eastern Europe.

Keywords

German foreign policy – CSCE/OSCE – Charter of Paris – Helsinki Final Act – civilian power – pan-European order – fragile statehood – good governance – Russia – energy interdependence in Europe

Metadata

Title: What German Responsibility Means
Author: Hanns W. Maull
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18750230-02601012
Language: English
Year: 2015
Volume: 26
Issue: 1
Pages: 11–24
In: Security and Human Rights
E-ISSN: 1875-0230