Germany's Evolving Role in Global Affairs: Positioning as a Middle Power in the Indo-Pacific Region

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
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 (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-1278-4773)
Luo, Chih-Mei

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