Responsibility to Defend: Rethinking Germany's Strategic Culture

The revival of revisionist, repressive, and authoritarian powers poses a threat to the Western, US-led international order, which was the foundation of Germany's post-war security and prosperity. Germany's armed forces have been neglected and underfunded, resulting in an inadequate strategic culture that fails to meet contemporary strategic challenges. Bastian Giegerich and Maximilian Terhalle argue that Germany should embrace its responsibility to defend Western liberal values and the Western order, and should seek to foster a strategic culture that is compatible with other leading Western nations. They outline possible elements of a new security policy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The revival of revisionist, repressive, and authoritarian powers poses a significant threat to the Western-led international order, upon which Germany's post-war security and prosperity were built. As Washington increasingly prioritizes China's rise in Asia, Europe must be able to defend itself against Russia, and will rely heavily on German military capabilities to do so. However, years of neglect and structural underfunding have left Germany's armed forces depleted. Much of the political leadership in Berlin has yet to adapt to the new realities or grasp the urgency of the situation.

Bastian Giegerich and Maximilian Terhalle argue that Germany's current strategic culture is inadequate. It informs a security policy that fails to address contemporary strategic challenges, thereby jeopardizing Berlin's European allies, the Western order, and Germany itself. They propose that:

Germany should embrace its historical responsibility to defend Western liberal values and the Western order that upholds them.
Rather than rejecting the use of military force, Germany should integrate its commitment to liberal values with an understanding of the role of power, including military power, in international affairs.
The authors demonstrate why Germany should strive to foster a strategic culture that aligns with the practices of other leading Western nations and enables Germans to view the world through a strategic lens. In doing so, they outline potential components of a new security policy.

The revival of revisionist, repressive, and authoritarian powers poses a significant threat to the Western-led international order, upon which Germany's post-war security and prosperity were built. As Washington increasingly prioritizes China's rise in Asia, Europe must be able to defend itself against Russia, and will rely heavily on German military capabilities to do so. However, years of neglect and structural underfunding have left Germany's armed forces depleted. Much of the political leadership in Berlin has yet to adapt to the new realities or grasp the urgency of the situation.

Bastian Giegerich and Maximilian Terhalle argue that Germany's current strategic culture is inadequate. It informs a security policy that fails to address contemporary strategic challenges, thereby jeopardizing Berlin's European allies, the Western order, and Germany itself. They propose that:

Germany should embrace its historical responsibility to defend Western liberal values and the Western order that upholds them.
Rather than rejecting the use of military force, Germany should integrate its commitment to liberal values with an understanding of the role of power, including military power, in international affairs.
The authors demonstrate why Germany should strive to foster a strategic culture that aligns with the practices of other leading Western nations and enables Germans to view the world through a strategic lens. In doing so, they outline potential components of a new security policy.

Germany's failure to address these challenges will have far-reaching consequences for Europe and the world. It will embolden Russia to further assert its influence in the region, undermine the stability of European allies, and create a more uncertain and unstable global environment. Moreover, Germany's inability to adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape will hinder its ability to contribute to international security and prosperity.

To address these challenges, Germany must take several steps. First and foremost, it must prioritize the modernization and revitalization of its armed forces. This includes investing in new equipment, training, and personnel to ensure that Germany's military is capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century. Germany should also strengthen its alliances with European partners and work to build a stronger defense network to deter potential threats from Russia and other authoritarian powers.

In addition, Germany must embrace a more proactive and assertive foreign policy. This includes engaging in dialogue and diplomacy to address regional and global challenges, such as the conflict in Syria and the rise of authoritarianism in Asia. Germany should also be willing to use military force to protect its interests and the interests of its allies when necessary.

Finally, Germany must address the underlying social and economic issues that contribute to its military weakness. This includes addressing income inequality, social exclusion, and political polarization to create a more cohesive and resilient society. By doing so, Germany can build a stronger foundation for its military and ensure that it is able to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

In conclusion, the revival of revisionist, repressive, and authoritarian powers poses a significant threat to the Western-led international order, upon which Germany's post-war security and prosperity were built. Germany must take immediate action to address these challenges and build a stronger and more capable military to protect its interests and the interests of its allies. By prioritizing the modernization and revitalization of its armed forces, strengthening its alliances, adopting a more proactive and assertive foreign policy, and addressing the underlying social and economic issues, Germany can build a more secure and prosperous future for itself and the world.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 232 x 156 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032122731