Klaus Larres - Böcker

Throughout the second half of the 20th century, fundamental differences in values and policy can be discerned in British-German relations. For historical, political, and economic reasons, the collective memories of both nations have retained very different identities and attitudes towards each other and towards the European continent and European integration. Yet, Britain is one of the most significant European partners for Germany and Germany is of great importance for Britains role in Europe. This book focuses on the influence of European integration on the policies of Britain and Germany towards each other. It considers British-German relations in the context of European integration in their historical dimensions since 1945. Britains ambiguous policy towards the GDR and Mrs Thatchers opposition to German unification are also discussed. In particular, the book focuses on the post-1990 relationship and examines the political, security related, economic and financial as well as the social aspects of the dynamic British-German relations in an ever more interdependent world. The influence of the US and France on both Germany and Britain and their European policies is therefore considered in detail. This book offers interesting and challenging insights into the evolution of British-German relations within the context of European integration in the post-Second World War and post-Unification era. The book argues that throughout the latter half of the twentieth century Britain and Germany can be characterised as uneasy allies. It is only since the late 1990s Britain and Germany appear to have become genuine partners in the context of European integration.

Few countries have caused or experienced more calamities in the 20th century than Germany. The country emerged from the Cold War as a newly united and sovereign state, eventually becoming Europe's indispensable partner for all major domestic and foreign policy initiatives. This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of some of the major issues of German domestic politics, economics, foreign policy, and culture by leading experts in their respective fields. This book serves primarily as a reference work on Germany for scholars and an interested public, but through this broader lens it also provides a magnifying glass of global developments which are challenging and transforming the modern state. The growing importance of Germany as a political actor and economic partner makes this endeavor all the more timely and pertinent from a German, European, and global perspective.

Churchill’s techniques of government were distinctly unconventional. Energetic, self-confident, and persuasive, he preferred to act outside official civil service channels when the stakes were high. When forming foreign policy, his preferred modus operandi was summit diplomacy—the cultivation of personal contacts to achieve national objectives. At its best his direct intervention could be heroically successful, resulting, for example, in the entry of the United States into the Second World War. At its worst it failed utterly. Either way this was international politics at a level of high drama and high risk. This book explores Churchill’s predilection for direct diplomatic action from his first tentative involvement in 1908 until his retirement as prime minister in 1955. Its principal focus is the period 1945-1955, during which the full force of Churchill’s personal diplomacy was directed at sustaining Britain’s great power status—in relation to the Soviet Union and the United States—at a time when its own economic power was declining. In particular, after October 1951 Churchill sought to revive with President Eisenhower and with Stalin’s successors in Soviet Russia the “Big Three” summitry he saw as the most effective means to forestall a nuclear holocaust and achieve a lasting peace. Based on an exhaustive scrutiny of official documents and private archives in Europe and the United States, this book breaks vital new ground in terms of both Churchill scholarship and the international history of the Cold War.

Almost a decade after the opening of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the GDR and the end of the Cold War, Germany has begun to cope with the political, economic, social and nationalistic challenges unification has posed to its institutions and way of life in both the western and eastern part of the once divided country. The books' nine authors, all experts in their field, analyse the way united Germany has tackled the many unforeseen problems and highlight Germany's slow adjustment to the new realities.;The emergence of a new economic, political and perhaps military superstate as feared by many in 1990 has not materialised. Instead, Germany today is only just coping with the domestic and external challenges of unification. The economic and social integration of the former East Germany may yet take another 10 to 15 years. This timely and well-researched book outlines the many challenges facing Germany and its European neighbours in the post-Cold War world.

German-American relations have become interesting again. U.S. President Donald Trump’s lukewarm policy toward Europe has ensured that the relationship between Berlin and Washington is once again regarded as an important field of scholarship within global politics. And yet it was only a few years ago that German-American relations seemed to take second place to transatlantic relations in general, and the European Union (EU)–USA relationship in particular. The advent of Donald Trump as US President in January 2017 has made all the difference. Trump’s difficult personal relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and his denigration of everything the Western world – including the USA itself – has stood for since 1949, have given a new significance to German-American relations in practice and theory.This volume offers an empirical and conceptual analysis of German-American relations in the 21st century and highlights the serious and perhaps unprecedented challenges the two countries face at present. The authors discuss a number of aspects of the current, much more fragile state of German-American relations from different perspectives.This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal German Politics.

In order to truly understand the emergence, endurance, and legacy of autocracy, this volume of engaging essays explores how autocratic power is acquired, exercised, and transferred or abruptly ended through the careers and politics of influential figures in more than 20 countries and six regions.The book looks at both traditional "hard" dictators, such as Hitler, Stalin, and Mao, and more modern "soft" or populist autocrats, who are in the process of transforming once fully democratic countries into autocratic states, including Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey, Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro, Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, Narendra Modi in India, and Viktor Orbán in Hungary. The authors touch on a wide range of autocratic and dictatorial figures in the past and present, including present-day autocrats, such as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, military leaders, and democratic leaders with authoritarian aspirations. They analyze the transition of selected autocrats from democratic or benign semi-democratic systems to harsher forms of autocracy, with either quite disastrous or more successful outcomes.An ideal reader for students and scholars, as well as the general public, interested in international affairs, leadership studies, contemporary history and politics, global studies, security studies, economics, psychology, and behavioral studies.

In order to truly understand the emergence, endurance, and legacy of autocracy, this volume of engaging essays explores how autocratic power is acquired, exercised, and transferred or abruptly ended through the careers and politics of influential figures in more than 20 countries and six regions.The book looks at both traditional "hard" dictators, such as Hitler, Stalin, and Mao, and more modern "soft" or populist autocrats, who are in the process of transforming once fully democratic countries into autocratic states, including Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey, Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro, Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, Narendra Modi in India, and Viktor Orbán in Hungary. The authors touch on a wide range of autocratic and dictatorial figures in the past and present, including present-day autocrats, such as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, military leaders, and democratic leaders with authoritarian aspirations. They analyze the transition of selected autocrats from democratic or benign semi-democratic systems to harsher forms of autocracy, with either quite disastrous or more successful outcomes.An ideal reader for students and scholars, as well as the general public, interested in international affairs, leadership studies, contemporary history and politics, global studies, security studies, economics, psychology, and behavioral studies.

Transatlantic relations have been among the most crucially important areas for US foreign policy since 1945. For reasons of self-interest and with regard to common transatlantic values and political, economic and security interests, every American Secretary of State to date has dedicated a considerable period of time to America’s relations with Europe. This book assesses the transatlantic policy which America’s most important post-Second World War Secretaries of State pursued. Brief profiles of each Secretary’s political philosophy and his/her policy towards Europe provide insights into the continuities and changes US foreign policy towards Europe has displayed from 1945 to the present.The book provides a synopsis of America’s relations with Europe during the last six decades. It establishes an overview of the crucial problems in American-European relations and indeed in America’s global role. Each chapter embeds an assessment of the respective Secretaries of State within a general survey of American foreign policy during both the Cold War and the post-Cold War world.This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Transatlantic Studies.

The impressive team of contributors include leading names in the history of modern Germany, together with some of the ablest younger scholars in the field. They are: Hartmut Berghoff, David Childs, Immanuel Geiss, Graham Hallett, Klaus Larres, Terry McNeill, Torsten Opelland, Richard Overy, Stephen Padgett, Panikos Panayi, and Mathias Siekmeier

This collection brings together the most influential and commonly-studied articles on the Cold War. Together with an introduction and concise headnotes, this book provides students with easy access to seminal work and an analytical framework with which to approach their studies.

After Stalin's death in March 1953, the Cold War changed almost overnight. The Soviet Union embarked on a course of reconciliation and greater openness. However, despite an end to the Korean War and progress on many other outstanding East-West questions, the Western world remained mistrustful of Soviet motives and policies and Soviet leaders remained suspicious of Western intentions. Less than a decade after Stalin's death the Berlin Wall was erected and the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world close to nuclear annihilation. Was this development unavoidable? Was an opportunity missed to overcome and terminate the Cold War? Was there a possibility for the creation of a more stable, less threatening, and less costly world in both human and material terms? It is only now, after the end of the Cold War and based on recently declassified western documents and revelations from once-closed archives in the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and China, that new light can be shed on the nature of international Cold War policies in the years after Stalin's death. The essays in this book offer a historical understanding of this crucial period of the Cold War, assessing both the possibilities for change and the obstacles to détente. The book draws on the collective talents of an international group of scholars with a wide range of historical, geographical, and linguistic expertise. All of the essays are based on original research, many of them drawing from previously inaccessible archival documents from both the East and West. This book should be read by everyone interested in the final stage of the defining conflict that was the Cold War.Contributions by: Csaba Békés, Günter Bischof, Jeffrey Brooks, Ira Chernus, Jerald A. Combs, Lloyd Gardner, Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Hope M. Harrison, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, Mark Kramer, Klaus Larres, Vojtech Mastny, Kenneth Osgood, Kathryn C. Statler, and Qiang Zhai

A Companion to Europe Since 1945 provides a stimulating guide to numerous important developments which have influenced the political, economic, social, and cultural character of Europe during and since the Cold War. Includes 22 original essays by an international team of expert scholars Examines the social, intellectual, economic, cultural, and political changes that took place throughout Europe in the Cold War and Post Cold War periods Discusses a wide range of topics including the Single Market, European-American relations, family life and employment, globalization, consumption, political parties, European decolonization, European identity, security and defence policies, and Europe's fight against international terrorism Presents Europe in a broad geographical conception, to give equal weighting to developments in the Eastern and Western European states

Today the problems of reunification seem to feature more often in the international spotlight than the benefits. This timely volume offers a reassessment of Germany's postwar development from its inception through to reunification, including a thorough examination of the implications for economic, political and social policies.The impressive team of contributors include leading names in the history of modern Germany, together with some of the ablest younger scholars in the field. They are: Hartmut Berghoff, David Childs, Immanuel Geiss, Graham Hallett, Klaus Larres, Terry McNeill, Torsten Opelland, Richard Overy, Stephen Padgett, Panikos Panayi, and Mathias Siekmeier.

German-American relations have become interesting again. U.S. President Donald Trump’s lukewarm policy toward Europe has ensured that the relationship between Berlin and Washington is once again regarded as an important field of scholarship within global politics. And yet it was only a few years ago that German-American relations seemed to take second place to transatlantic relations in general, and the European Union (EU)–USA relationship in particular. The advent of Donald Trump as US President in January 2017 has made all the difference. Trump’s difficult personal relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and his denigration of everything the Western world – including the USA itself – has stood for since 1949, have given a new significance to German-American relations in practice and theory.This volume offers an empirical and conceptual analysis of German-American relations in the 21st century and highlights the serious and perhaps unprecedented challenges the two countries face at present. The authors discuss a number of aspects of the current, much more fragile state of German-American relations from different perspectives.This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal German Politics.

Contemporary international affairs are largely shaped by widely differing thematic issues and actors, such as nation states, international institutions, NGOs and multinational companies. Obtaining a deeper understanding of these multifaceted themes and actors is crucial for developing a genuine understanding of contemporary international affairs. This book provides undergraduate and postgraduate students of global politics and international relations with the necessary knowledge of the forces that shape and dominate our global political, economic and social/cultural environment. The book significantly enhances our understanding of the essentials of contemporary international affairs.Understanding Global Politics takes a pragmatic approach to international relations, with each chapter being written by an expert in their respective field: Part I provides the historical background that has led to the current state of world affairs. It also provides clear outlines of the major yet often complex theories of international relations. Part II is dedicated to the main actors in global politics. It discusses actors such as the most important nation states, the UN, EU, international organizations, NGOs and multinational companies. Part III considers important contemporary themes and challenges in global politics, including non-state centered challenges. Chapters focus on international terrorism, energy and climate change issues, religious fundamentalism and demographic changes. The comprehensive structure of this book makes it particularly viable to students who wish to pursue careers in international organizations, diplomacy, consultancy, the think tank world and the media.

Contemporary international affairs are largely shaped by widely differing thematic issues and actors, such as nation states, international institutions, NGOs and multinational companies. Obtaining a deeper understanding of these multifaceted themes and actors is crucial for developing a genuine understanding of contemporary international affairs. This book provides undergraduate and postgraduate students of global politics and international relations with the necessary knowledge of the forces that shape and dominate our global political, economic and social/cultural environment. The book significantly enhances our understanding of the essentials of contemporary international affairs.Understanding Global Politics takes a pragmatic approach to international relations, with each chapter being written by an expert in their respective field: Part I provides the historical background that has led to the current state of world affairs. It also provides clear outlines of the major yet often complex theories of international relations. Part II is dedicated to the main actors in global politics. It discusses actors such as the most important nation states, the UN, EU, international organizations, NGOs and multinational companies. Part III considers important contemporary themes and challenges in global politics, including non-state centered challenges. Chapters focus on international terrorism, energy and climate change issues, religious fundamentalism and demographic changes. The comprehensive structure of this book makes it particularly viable to students who wish to pursue careers in international organizations, diplomacy, consultancy, the think tank world and the media.

Transatlantic relations have been among the most crucially important areas for US foreign policy since 1945. For reasons of self-interest and with regard to common transatlantic values and political, economic and security interests, every American Secretary of State to date has dedicated a considerable period of time to America’s relations with Europe. This book assesses the transatlantic policy which America’s most important post-Second World War Secretaries of State pursued. Brief profiles of each Secretary’s political philosophy and his/her policy towards Europe provide insights into the continuities and changes US foreign policy towards Europe has displayed from 1945 to the present.The book provides a synopsis of America’s relations with Europe during the last six decades. It establishes an overview of the crucial problems in American-European relations and indeed in America’s global role. Each chapter embeds an assessment of the respective Secretaries of State within a general survey of American foreign policy during both the Cold War and the post-Cold War world.This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Transatlantic Studies.

Almost a decade after the opening of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the GDR and the end of the Cold War, Germany has begun to cope with the political, economic, social and nationalistic challenges unification has posed to its institutions and way of life in both the western and eastern part of the once divided country.

While there are many books that deal with Brandt’s foreign policy as West German Chancellor, Willy Brandt and International Relations is the only book to deal with Brandt’s politics as elder statesman between 1974 and 1992. The editors have assembled a group of authors from Germany, the USA, Latin America and Europe to assess Brandt’s important role in global affairs during the waning decades of the Cold War.The chapters follow Brandt beyond his resignation as Chancellor in 1974, after which he continued his position as chairman of Social Democratic party and became chairman of the Socialist International. His international politics were above all focused on Europe, Latin America and the United States. He was keen on finding new partners in the ‘Third World’ such as Latin America and the Caribbean, leading to conflicts with the U.S. administration which caused problems for West German foreign policy. The authors also examine global challenges that occurred after 1989, such as Brandt’s handling of German unification, the Kuwait crisis of 1991 and the first Gulf War.Willy Brandt and International Relations provides a new perspective on decades of Cold War relations and beyond through the work of an influential statesman and political thinker. It is an illuminating book for students and scholars of the Cold War and international relations.

While there are many books that deal with Brandt’s foreign policy as West German Chancellor, Willy Brandt and International Relations is the only book to deal with Brandt’s politics as elder statesman between 1974 and 1992. The editors have assembled a group of authors from Germany, the USA, Latin America and Europe to assess Brandt’s important role in global affairs during the waning decades of the Cold War.The chapters follow Brandt beyond his resignation as Chancellor in 1974, after which he continued his position as chairman of Social Democratic party and became chairman of the Socialist International. His international politics were above all focused on Europe, Latin America and the United States. He was keen on finding new partners in the ‘Third World’ such as Latin America and the Caribbean, leading to conflicts with the U.S. administration which caused problems for West German foreign policy. The authors also examine global challenges that occurred after 1989, such as Brandt’s handling of German unification, the Kuwait crisis of 1991 and the first Gulf War.Willy Brandt and International Relations provides a new perspective on decades of Cold War relations and beyond through the work of an influential statesman and political thinker. It is an illuminating book for students and scholars of the Cold War and international relations.

This book explores the development of transatlantic policy on international terrorism and assesses the situation today. Chapters cover a range of topics, including the psychology of terrorism, online propaganda, domestic terrorism, terrorism and finance and cyber security.