From a "civilian power" to a great power
Berlin must bear the responsibilities of a great power by promoting regional integration and economic development effectively in Africa and Asia, and helping to reform institutions of global governance. Germany should act as a bridge between the established North and the rising South – institutionalized in more prominent GIBSA (Germany, India, Brazil, South Africa) quadrilogues.
Berlin must find a way to harness its Friedenspolitik to an enhanced political and security role legitimised by multilateral organisations in which it plays a more active leadership role.
Germany has historically sought to act as a "civilian power" that relies on multilateral institutions and trade, promoting democratic governance, peaceful conflict resolution, and sustainable development, rather than military force. This has been criticised as an abdication of global responsibility by the world’s fourth largest economy, and Berlin must find a way to harness its Friedenspolitik to an enhanced political and security role legitimised by multilateral organisations in which it plays a more active leadership role.
Several aspects are of particular significance in this context:
Africa is the world’s fastest growing continent, with a market of one billion consumers
Germany is playing a supportive military role in French-led EU military missions in Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR).
It is important that Germany also support sub-regional pillars in Africa like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Algeria that can promote security and regional integration, and combat terrorism.
Berlin can also reduce its dependence on gas imports from Russia by importing more gas from Algeria and Nigeria.
Overview for this article
1
Peace through regional integration and multilateralism
2
More German support for Africa through the UN
4
Diversify in Southeast Asia
5
Invest in trilateral partnerships
