Germany is one of five centres of power

It was Herfried Munkler, Germany’s noted political scientist who came out with the theory of power centres that emerge to replace the present unipolar system into a multi-polar one with five specific countries called as “Pentarchy”. He included USA, China, Russia along with EU & India. I beg to differ.

My contention is along with USA, China, Russia it is Germany and Iran that would be the five centres of power. In this blog, I present the case for Germany as power centre.

Basic parameters of a power centre

1. A power centre must be geographically intact with boundaries defined to be within the jurisdiction of a single state. EU is not a single state but a collection of several and diverse countries which are brought under an economic grouping first and then expended into a political union. European Economic Community, the precursor of the present Union, perhaps fit the bill as a geoeconomics centre.

2. Munkler himself argued that EU cannot survive as a power centre unless it behaves as a unified central power with autonomous geoeconomics power spectrum under its command and act as a hegemon rather than being subjected to the whim and fancy of other powers who are ever ready to dictate terms of intent and conduct. In the case of EU it is evident that without the presence of Germany it cannot survive even for a day. More than anything else, EU does not have the ability to act as a strategic power centre sans Germany.

How Germany fits into the five power centres?

1. The concept of “Exportmeister”, meaning excellence in exports drives Germany to perfect her manufacturing based on quality, precision and of durable nature. As the third largest manufacturer and exporter of goods, Germany’s globalized industries market act as primary anchor for her geoeconomics clout.

2. With the commanding feature of having a wide range of exportable goods Germany has an in-built power yielding status in the sphere of geoeconomics. The range of exports includes but not limited to motor vehicle, machinery, precision instruments, chemical products, pharma, fertilizer, and electronics along with a surprise addition of chocolates recently.

3.  Unsurprisingly, Germany has her voice heard in the halls of other powers north to south and west to east. Statements similar to ‘what would Germany think’ or ‘how Germany would react’ are chimed even in the White House.

4.  Visualcapitalist.com while ranking the world’s most loved countries allocate to Germany a coveted +21 which she shares with two of the eastern tigers: South Korea and Singapore.

Strategy Advice

My advice is frank and simple. Germany must get rid of this baggage known as European Union, a moribund organization where unelected officers hold sway and for the worst part the public in large in EU Countries and the parliaments constituted therein reflecting opinions of electorates are very much opposed to the EU Admin with special mention to its stand, policies, and practices. Ukraine war is a case in point.

Navigating strategy amid geoeconomics, recommends Germany does a Dexit as soon as possible.

 

Muthu Ashraff

Strategy Adviser

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Strategy Adviser