The paper “Wir sind nicht allein: Wie Deutschland und Europa die Abkehr der USA für die eigene Stärke und eine neue Form der internationalen Partnerschaftlichkeit nutzen können” (We are not alone: How Germany and Europe can use the US's departure for their own strength and a new form of international partnership) was presented today at the Berlin think tank Das Progressive Zentrum. In the nine-page statement, the authors Cathryn Clüver-Ashbrook, Nicole Deitelhoff, Anke Hassel, Anna-Katharina Hornidge and Wolfgang Schroeder analyze the consequences of the US's change of course in foreign policy under President Trump and present perspectives for the new role of Germany and Europe.
The five authors begin by outlining Germany's current economic and foreign policy situation: Germany's model of peace and prosperity is based on the export strength of its industry and functioning social partnerships. Without the European Union, however, Germany's global influence would be limited in view of the increasingly muscular policies of China and the USA. It is therefore in Germany's own interest, the authors continue, to push ahead with European integration. A strong Europe that can organize its own security, lives its values and promotes its economy without cutting itself off from open markets will (once again) become an interesting partner for many middle- and low-income countries outside the former so-called Global North.
The authors begin their analysis of Europe's role in the world with the question of whether the world is facing the end or a new beginning of a rules-based order. They conclude that Europe is in danger of standing alone if the global order continues to develop in the direction of geopolitical great power strategies and a weakening commitment to rules. In addition, the failed military interventions of recent decades have damaged the credibility of the West. Authoritarian powers have taken advantage of the vulnerability of the Western system. A multipolar world has emerged in which a rule-based order must be maintained, at least in core areas.
Based on this analysis, the authors call for Europe to shape multipolarization. First and foremost, European integration must be driven forward. They speak of a “Delors moment” to emphasize the need for integration and strengthening Europe's competitiveness. However, according to the authors, even a strong, united Europe is not enough to counter the potential for disruption and conflict in Russia, China and the USA. Instead, alliances and partnerships are needed that reach far beyond Europe.
Under the title “What needs to happen”, the authors present their strategic recommendations for the future positioning of Germany and Europe in a multipolar world in the final part of the paper: 1. in order to further develop its own political, economic and prosperity model, Germany must demonstrate a more ambitious commitment at EU and international level. 2. the European Union must be strengthened and the potential of the Delors moment exploited. 3. partnerships with low- and middle-income countries and selected industrialized countries must be expanded and deepened.
The authors work for various academic institutions, foundations and think tanks: Clüver-Ashbrook is Senior Advisor at the Bertelsmann Stiftung, Nicole Deitelhoff is Professor of International Relations and Theories of Global Orders at Goethe University Frankfurt and Director of PRIF – Peace Research Institute Frankfurt, Anke Hassel is Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of Das Progressive Zentrum and Professor of Public Policy at the Hertie School, Anna-Katharina Hornidge is Professor of Political Sociology at the University of Bonn and Director of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Wolfgang Schroeder is Chairman of Das Progressive Zentrum.