West Germany's Foreign Policy: The Impact of the Social Democrats and The Greens

by Diane Rosolowsky

Overview

This work examines the positions of the Social Democratic and Green parties on the debate within the Federal Republic of Germany concerning security policy, especially as it relates to NATO. Since its founding in 1949, the Atlantic Alliance has provided a framework for relations between the United States and its European allies. The United States is an important NATO member, particularly because of its nuclear commitment to European defense. The Federal Republic of Germany plays a pivotal role in NATO as well, as it is the strongest European member in NATO's integrated command structure, the major contributor of land forces, and, because of its geographic location, NATO's first line of defense. Thus the roles of the United States and West Germany in NATO are both key: the former due to its nuclear capabilities, and the latter because of its conventional force strength and front line position.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313256721
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/17/1987
Series:	Contributions in Political Science , #19
Pages:	165
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.44(d)
Lexile:	1450L (what's this?)

About the Author

DIANE ROSOLOWSKY is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Hollins College, Hollins, Virginia.

Table of Contents

The Atlantic Alliance, Neutralism and the Parties of the Left in West Germany
The Decade of Neutralism
The Social Democrats as Pragmatists
Domestic Factors That Influenced the SPD's Defense Policy and the Birth of the Green Party
The Theory and Practice of Ostpolitik
Value Change and Ideological Neutralism in the Green Party
The Alternative to Alliance
The New Strategies Debate in the Social Democratic Party
Conclusion
Selected Bibliography
Index