Contemporary Germany

Course Description

What is and what should Germany’s international role be? Should it be more active and assertive? Or should it continue along the path of constraint that nevertheless has made it the most important country in Europe and its de facto leader? These old debates are as relevant as ever against the backdrop of Brexit, Russia’s war against Ukraine, increasing EU concern about China, global economic woes, and many other challenges. Germany is also the central European player in the transatlantic relationship and exercises significant influence on the West’s relations with adversaries and difficult partners. We will study Germany’s tumultuous recent history; the sources of its leadership, its strengths and limits; its domestic political context; its extraordinary success as the world’s third largest exporter and Eurozone leader; and its foreign and security policy with respect to NATO, the EU, Russia, China, France, Turkey, Central Europe, Israel, and, of course, the United States. We will also look ahead at how Germany’s role may evolve in a changing global strategic environment.

Code

SA.554.106

Credits

4

Subject

Europe and Eurasia