German foreign policy after reunification

This thesis analyzes effects of the reunification on German foreign policy. It will search for an answer to this popular question: Has Germany become a militarist and expansionist state after the reunification, aiming the fourth Reich? To answer it, developments in global political system will be traced, and within that framework, Germany’s options and restrictions will be analyzed. With the collapse of communist bloc, political system in the world has dramatically changed. Thanks to the European Union, now, Europe is far from fear of re-emergence rival alliances that of pre World War I and II periods. Now, for the developed countries, economic and political expansion has become important than territorial expansion. Germany’s traditional interest in Eastern Europe should be regarded within that context. On the other hand, Germany was accused of being assertive after the reunification. In fact, her weight has remarkably increased on international matters since 1990. But the constrains on German foreign policy, such as her membership to the European Union and NATO, and the other big powers’ policy towards Germany prevent her to pursue “go it alone” policy. That is why, at least in the near future, if a world war breaks out, it will not happen because of German extremism. In other words, because of the new dynamics in the international system, the new German foreign policy has been emphasizing political and economic might rather than military might to realize its foreign policy goals and interests. That means, cheque-book diplomacy along with more responsibilities