"The sectoral dynamics of Germany’s role in the European Union"

The unification of Germany gave a new impetus to the discussion about Germany and the EU, reopening the age-old debate about a ‘German Europe’ or a ‘Europeanized Germany.’ As the Intergovernmental Conference draws to a close and EU moves into a new phase of its development, German actions in the EU are still arousing suspicion amongst its partners. Germany’s role in the EU evokes a schizophrenic reaction from the other member states, whereby Germany’s partners in the EU expect greater leadership on the one hand, whilst fearing German dominance on the other. The mere idea of Germany with any coherent ‘national’ interests invokes a negative vision of Germany as a hegemon dominating the EU. Issue areas have largely been ignored in the analysis of German European policy. Scholars have tended to concentrate their analyses more broadly on German European policy objectives, focusing on integration rhetoric and declaratory policy. It could perhaps be argued that they have been drawing overly optimistic or overly negative conclusions about the nature of Germany’s role in the EU. The study propounds a sectoral approach to analyse specific policy areas in relation to Germany’s role in the EU. The analysis centres on two well chosen areas: agriculture and migration. It is implicit that this study cannot provide a complete picture or design a typical position. Nevertheless an analysis of specific policy sectors provides a fruitful insight into Germany’s role in the EU and has proved valuable in elucidating broader conclusions about Germany’s relationship with the EU