Dealing with the new powers in shaping globalization

Economic boom is causing chances in international policy
© dpa / picture alliance

Shanghai

Economic boom is causing chances in international policy

© dpa / picture alliance

In a new strategy paper, the Federal Government outlines how it wants to cooperate with the new powers in shaping globalization and to positively influence the process. The strategy paper was adopted by the Federal Cabinet on 8 February. Afterwards, it was presented to the public at the Federal Foreign Office and discussed with experts.

With the slogan “shaping globalization – expanding partnerships – sharing responsibility”, the strategy paper deals with one of the key foreign policy questions of the 21st century: the rise of the new powers in an increasingly globalized world. The strategy is based on the assumption that the economic boom in many countries is causing a fundamental change in international policy.

Over the course of 70 pages, guidelines are laid out for the Federal Government to take a uniform approach to these new powers shaping the world.

Characteristics of the new powers in shaping globalization

Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle during the presentation of the strategy paper on new powers in shaping globalization
© AA

Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle during the presentation of the strategy paper on new powers in shaping globalization

Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle during the presentation of the strategy paper on new powers in shaping globalization

© AA

What are the features of the new powers in shaping globalization? During the presentation of the strategy paper at the Federal Foreign Office, Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle said that they were characterized by three things: “great economic success, a growing claim to political influence based on that success, and being a force for order, at least regionally”.

The new powers in shaping globalization were more than “just” emerging countries, he continued. “Many of them are already new centres of political and cultural influence as well,” said Westerwelle. “They assume responsibility and they rightly stake a claim to stronger influence on international policy.”

Great success instead of danger

Westerwelle explained that this profound shift should not be seen as a danger, to our own prosperity, for example. It was rather a “great success and great opportunity”. He added that it was extraordinarily good news that countries make progress and that Germany has long been active as an important donor country in development policy.

The Federal Government is pursuing three goals with the publication of the current strategy paper:

1. The strategy lays out its global political goals.
2. It shows partners what an enhanced cooperation might look like.
3. It demonstrates how the coordination between the Federal Ministries can be improved, thus creating a more uniform foreign policy.

The strategy paper thus suggests new instruments for improving coordination among the Federal Ministries. If needed, ministerial groups can be created to work out the strategies for particular new powers.

Discussion with representatives from the fields of academics and business

Discussion the new strategy paper
© AA

Discussion the new strategy paper

Discussion the new strategy paper

© AA

The experts from the fields of academics and business who discussed the strategy with Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle expressed approval. Jürgen Heraeus, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Heraeus, a company active internationally in the fields of precious metals and technology, said that it was important for the German economy and especially for small and medium-sized enterprises for Germany to present itself abroad in a more uniform fashion.

Beate Rudolf, Director of the German Institute for Human Rights, welcomed the fact the liberty and human rights formed the basis of the strategy. She said it was crucial to continue to work to see human rights be truly accepted as the legally binding measure for state action.

Volker Perthes, Director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said that the strategy paper’s recognition that “the world is now multipolar” was important and that “there are no more great powers” given the size of global problems. In the long term, said Perthes, countries would have to form coalitions that “span the entire world”. The central policy question was, he added, how to deal with the fact that “not all countries want the same thing on all issues.”

Taking a positive approach to change

Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle said that he hoped that the strategy paper would lead to a discussion in Germany on global change and the “enormous opportunities” it brings. In Germany, he said, concern about change and disadvantages were emphasized, whereas he believed that “these radical changes give us in particular so much hope and so many opportunities, that we should take a much more positive approach.”

Speech by Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle at the presentation of the German Government’s strategy paper “Shaping Globalization – Expanding Partnerships – Sharing Responsibility” in the Weltsaal of the Federal Foreign Office on 8 February 2012

• Shaping Globalization – Expanding Partnerships – Sharing Responsibility PDF | 1 MB

Last updated 08.02.2012