The “New” German Foreign Policy and its Responsibility Discourse

URBANOVSKÁ, Jana. The “New” German Foreign Policy and its Responsibility Discourse. In CEEISA-ISA Joint International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. 2019.

Basic information

• Original name: The “New” German Foreign Policy and its Responsibility Discourse
• Name in Czech: "Nová" německá zahraniční politika a její diskurz zodpovědnosti
• Name (in English): The “New” German Foreign Policy and its Responsibility Discourse
• Authors: URBANOVSKÁ, Jana.
• Edition: CEEISA-ISA Joint International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia, 2019.

Other information

• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Keywords (in Czech): Německo, zahraniční politika, zodpovědnost, udržování míru
• Keywords in English: Germany, foreign policy, responsibility, peacekeeping
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

Germany has positioned itself as a nation that holds “special responsibilities” in international relations. “Responsibility” has long been a traditional hallmark of German foreign and security policy. In recent years, German foreign and security policy has been hit by a new wave of a “responsibility debate”, sparked by seminal speeches of Federal President Joachim Gauck, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen at the Munich Security Conference in 2014, marking the beginning of a “new” German foreign policy. Top German political representatives unanimously called for Germany to take on “more responsibility in the world” in order to respond to multiple European and international crises. Ever since, the term “responsibility” has become a buzzword within German foreign policy vocabulary. Its meaning, however, remains ambiguous. What does “responsibility” stand for? Where does it stem from and what are its implications? By answering these questions, the paper aims to explore the meaning of “responsibility” in the German foreign policy discourse and the degree to which it moved beyond a mere rhetorical exercise.

Abstract (in Czech)

Německo se prezentuje jako země, která má zvláštní zodpovědnost v mezinárodních vztazích. “Zodpovědnost” je tradičním znakem německé zahraniční a bezpečnostní politiky. Mnichovská bezpečnostní konference z roku 2014 odstartovala novou vlnu debaty o “zodpovědnosti”, když se vrcholní němečtí političtí představitelé jednohlasně zavázali k převzetí větší zodpovědnosti v mezinárodních vztazích. Co však tato zodpovědnost znamená a jaké jsou její implikace? Podařilo se Německu dostat se za rétoriku zodpovědnosti a skutečně se posunout k větší angažovanosti při řešení mezinárodních krizí?

Abstract (in English)

Germany has positioned itself as a nation that holds “special responsibilities” in international relations. “Responsibility” has long been a traditional hallmark of German foreign and security policy. In recent years, German foreign and security policy has been hit by a new wave of a “responsibility debate”, sparked by seminal speeches of Federal President Joachim Gauck, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen at the Munich Security Conference in 2014, marking the beginning of a “new” German foreign policy. Top German political representatives unanimously called for Germany to take on “more responsibility in the world” in order to respond to multiple European and international crises. Ever since, the term “responsibility” has become a buzzword within German foreign policy vocabulary. Its meaning, however, remains ambiguous. What does “responsibility” stand for? Where does it stem from and what are its implications? By answering these questions, the paper aims to explore the meaning of “responsibility” in the German foreign policy discourse and the degree to which it moved beyond a mere rhetorical exercise.

Links

• GA17-12243S, research and development project: Name: Německo a vojenské operace out-of-area: civilní mocnost, obchodní stát nebo mocnost středního řádu? (Acronym: NVO)

Investor: Czech Science Foundation