Trading Power: West Germany's Rise to Global Influence, 1963–1975

Trading Power explores how West Germany's political leaders navigated the challenges of the 1960s and 1970s, transitioning from hard power to economic power and establishing a strong international position.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Trading Power delves into the triumphs and setbacks of a remarkable generation of German political leaders as the Bonn Republic emerged as a significant player on the global stage. During the 1960s and 1970s, West Germans underwent a significant shift, relinquishing many aspects of hard power, notably nuclear weapons, and instead harnessing their economic might. Driven by a relentless pursuit of stability and growth, Bonn governments employed innovative strategies to combat inflation, thereby bolstering the international standing of the Deutsche Mark while challenging the established international monetary system. Germany's remarkable export prowess exerted a profound influence on the Soviet bloc, laying the foundation for a transformative Ostpolitik under the visionary leadership of Willy Brandt. Through a process of trial and error, the Federal Republic honed its ability to navigate complex relationships with key Western allies, ensuring Germany's pivotal role in institutions such as the European Council and the G-7, the emerging leadership frameworks of the West.

Weight: 732g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108440752