The short answer is yes! But the long answer is she needs to re-hashing policies and practices of Adolf Hitler to suit to the present demands. What I imply here is that Germany needs a strongman who navigates strategy amid geoeconomics to reach the status of great power!
Let us first define which is a great power? It is a nation that has considerable influence over global affairs consequent to her political, economic and military parameters primarily, and social, technological and geographical issues secondarily. Originally, great powers arose due to vast stretch of colonies under their flags. Britain, France, Spain are notable countries in this segment. Neither Otto von Bismarck nor the Imperial Russia was bent on collecting colonies. Today USA, Russia and China are deemed as great powers. Incidentally these nations have no colonies to boot.
Now let us turn to the current status of Germany. She is a middle power along with three European countries, Britain, France and Italy. Under this group we also find countries such as India and Brazil for their population and vast stretch of contiguous land mass, Japan in terms of financial clout and Turkey in terms of strategic location.
Germany is in unique position! Sans military prowess and long ocean frontage she has many other pluses. One is that of her “civilian power” wherein talented, techno-savvy and hardworking German labour distinguishes the Aryan nation from many states in Europe and elsewhere. Conceptually, power is demoed thru a host of skills including ability to coerce members in the euro zone in friendly and purposeful manner, capacity and willingness to take charge of leading, capability in getting the process be it in engineering or technology to its required conclusion. Most geoeconomics analysts identify the term “required conclusion” to defined goals. In sum, it boils down to influencing without ever resorting to force projection.
What is lacking is the concept of alignment and re-alignment. Co-opting NATO as the security provider has cost Germany terribly. Purposefully, this alliance puts down Germany under the thumb of POTUS, currently occupied by the crazy Donald Trump. Secondly having all eggs in one basket, that is, in terms of economic alignment saw the European Union as the solo power multiplier for Germany whose hands are tied behind the back as regards to EU rules & regulations. Effectively, Germany suffers the fate of Tantalus as regards to EU. Neither she can reduce her contribution nor can she increase it without slashing domestic welfare expenditure.
Placed in unenviable position as regards to strategic re-alignment, Germany faces the epochal challenge of transitioning from a European power to a great global power. Questions loom as to whose model she needs to follow. America which is already in rope, Russia which is expanding westward in the European theatre or China, the Asiatic giant which is moving like a juggernaut in politics, economics and military spheres.
Finally it boils down to selecting the right method. The one I recommend is that this Aryan nation must opt for navigating strategy amid geoeconomics by reverting to the policies and practices implemented by the Great Fuhrer!
Cheers!
Muthu Ashraff Rajulu
Strategy Adviser
Mobile: + 94 777 265677
E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com
Blog: Strategy Adviser
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