Germany Refuses to Grow Up

Germany remains a country that is searching for its role and identity on the global stage; one that continuously needs to fight its own instinct to shy away from power politics. “In the 21st century, Germany needs to become a European protecting power,” says Jan Techau. “It’s not exactly in the country’s post-war nature but it has no other choice: Europe’s internal stability, its external defensibility, and the ability to assert European interests in the world depend fundamentally on Germany.”

So far, Germany has benefitted from the global order that the United States upheld in Europe and other parts of the world. Now it must become a “producer of regional order” in Europe itself as the United States will increasingly shift its focus and engagement elsewhere, especially toward Asia.

“This will be Germany’s geopolitical litmus test,” says Techau. After excesses during the first half of the 20th century and constructive restraint during the second half, today Germany has to take its position as a guiding force for the greater good.

“When it comes to issues like the euro or military security, Germany needs to overcome its inhibition,” says Techau. “Without this new German role, Europe will be off worse in the future.” More depends on Berlin than most in the German capital are currently aware of.