A Small Step in Germany | Scott Malcomson

Talking about power (and the will to power) in Germany is a delicate business. When one wonders why German officials and policy wonks emphasize “effective multilateralism,” conflict prevention, “the rule of law,” partnerships, and Germany-in-Europe, the answer is always “for historical reasons,” followed by a pause.

The phrase explains everything and nothing. The fact that Germans once led Europe into several years of murderous insanity has led to a principle, in German foreign policy, of restraint on power – thus the multilateralism, partnerships and so on – that approaches paradox: you can only act if others act. Germany can’t have the solitude that every other nation has, and believes it shouldn’t go out for a walk by itself at night.

FULL ARTICLE (Huffington Post)

Photo: Duesentrieb/Flickr