转型期的德国外交政策（英）

SWP Research Paper Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik German Institute for International and Security Affairs Günther Maihold, Stefan Mair, Melanie Müller, Judith Vorrath, and Christian Wagner (eds.) German Foreign Policy in Transition Volatile Conditions, New Momentum SWP Research Paper 10 December 2021, Berlin Abstract ∎ In the coming legislative period, the Federal Government and the Bundes-tag will need to redefine the scope of Germany’s responsibility in world politics. The potential for action of German foreign policy cannot be prop-erly assessed without taking into consideration the new international constellations and the required changes. ∎ Shifts in international power, the loss of influence of Western positions, growing authoritarianism, the weakening of multilateral institutions, urgent global problems such as climate change – all of these challenges call for a realignment of German foreign policy. In doing so, it is impor-tant to adequately assess the limits of its capabilities but also the existing room for manoeuvre. This should guide its goals and priorities. ∎ German foreign policy is faced with increasingly intense competition for international influence and the authority to interpret norms and values. This competition takes different forms in the individual fields of foreign affairs. For this reason, Germany’s presence in international politics can only be influential if the ministries involved pool their efforts and re-sources. ∎ More room needs to be made available for forward-looking and medium-term approaches in foreign policy decision-making. In this way, it may be possible to overcome the tendency towards ad hoc decisions and to avoid predominantly reactive patterns of behaviour. ∎ Germany’s foreign relations must be guided by reliable partnerships and new forms of responsibility-sharing in various policy areas. How conflict-ing objectives are to be negotiated can only be determined through open and transparent dialogue. SWP Research Paper Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik German Institute for International and Security Affairs Günther Maihold, Stefan Mair, Melanie Müller, Judith Vorrath, and Christian Wagner (eds.) German Foreign Policy in Transition Volatile Conditions, New Momentum SWP Research Paper 10 December 2021, Berlin All rights reserved. © Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, 2021 SWP Research Papers are peer reviewed by senior researchers and the execu-tive board of the Institute. They are also subject to fact-checking and copy-editing. For further information on our quality control pro-cedures, please visit the SWP website: https:// www.swp-berlin.org/en/ about-swp/quality-management-for-swp-publications/. SWP Research Papers reflect the views of the author(s). SWP Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik German Institute for International and Security Affairs Ludwigkirchplatz 3–4 10719 Berlin Germany Phone +49 30 880 07-0 Fax +49 30 880 07-200 www.swp-berlin.org swp@swp-berlin.org ISSN (Print) 2747-5