Wunderlich, Uwe and Luo, Chih-Mei (2024). Germany's Evolving Role in Global Affairs: Positioning as a Middle Power in the Indo-Pacific Region. Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 65 (3), pp. 416-429.
Abstract
In 2020 Germany released its Indo-Pacific guidelines in response to global shifts and escalating Sino-US rivalries in the region. This article scrutinises Germany’s ambitions and stance in the Indo-Pacific, utilising the middle power concept as an analytical tool. It argues that Germany’s Indo-Pacific strategy is broadly in line with its wider foreign policy approach rather than marking a radical shift. Divided into three sections, the article explores middle power theories, Germany’s foreign policy approach, and Germany’s Indo-Pacific tilt. Assessing Germany’s progress in the Indo-Pacific, the paper employs a middle power framework based on capabilities, identity, and engagement. We argue that Germany seems intent on positioning itself as a civilian middle power, evident in its deeply engrained norms determining identity and guiding engagement. The article uses a qualitative approach, drawing from primary such as official statements of German policymakers and policy documents, supplemented by secondary sources covering the literature on middle power dynamics, the Indo-Pacific region, and Germany's foreign policy. Employing thematic documentary analysis, the paper identifies recurring patterns and trends in Germany's evolving role in the Indo-Pacific.
Publication DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1111/apv.12425 |
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Divisions: | College of Business and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences & Humanities > Politics, History and International Relations College of Business and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences & Humanities > Aston Centre for Europe College of Business and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences & Humanities Aston University (General) |
Additional Information: | Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Asia Pacific Viewpoint published by Victoria University of Wellington and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Indo-Pacific,middle power,Germany,foreign policy |
Last Modified: | 16 Dec 2024 09:06 |
Date Deposited: | 06 Sep 2024 14:50 |
Full Text Link: | |
Related URLs: |
https://onlinel ... .1111/apv.12425
(Publisher URL) http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL) |
PURE Output Type: | Article |
Published Date: | 2024-12 |
Published Online Date: | 2024-10-10 |
Accepted Date: | 2024-09-02 |
Authors: |
Wunderlich, Uwe
(
0000-0003-1278-4773)
Luo, Chih-Mei |