German policy towards economic and monetary union: €?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The EMU project from a European perspective
• Germany and Economic and Monetary Union
• Political interest in EMU: Why Germany is different
• Post-Cold War Europe and German Unification
• Germany in Europe and the Importance of History
• Economic opportunities for Germany
• German difficulties with EMU
• (Perceived) Economic and monetary risks...
• ...and half-hearted political opposition: "We're neither in favour of EMU nor against it, on the contrary!"
• German Policy Approaches to EMU
• Public Opinion in Germany
• EMU scepticism combined with a commitment to Europe
• Germany and the Single Currency: a survey of current public opinion
• Conclusions

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to explore the German national interest in European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), particularly emphasizing the political benefits and interests that led to the country's full support of the project. While acknowledging economic arguments, the analysis prioritizes the political aspects. The paper will not cover specific economic programmes preparing the German economy for EMU.

• Germany's support for EMU as a logical step to complete the Single Market and as a source of economic advantages for EU member states.
• The importance of EMU for achieving political union and its significance within the context of Germany's traditional position as a central and supportive state in the European integration process.
• The necessity for Germany to support and actively advance the integration process, as emphasized by German unification and the resulting international support tied to stronger European integration.
• The economic benefits of the common currency for Germany's foreign trade-reliant economy, particularly in relation to the economic concerns of those who fear looser monetary policies and increased inflation and instability risks.
• Germany's commitment to ensuring the Euro's long-term stability through strict adherence to the Maastricht convergence criteria and the negotiation of the stability pact.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter introduces EMU from a European perspective, highlighting its role as the next logical step to complete the Single Market and as a source of economic advantages for EU member states. This chapter also emphasizes the importance of EMU in achieving political union, aligning with Germany's historical position as a key player in the European integration process.

Chapter 2 focuses on Germany's specific interest in EMU, analyzing both the political and economic factors. The chapter explores the role of German unification in shaping Germany's stance towards EMU, as well as the economic opportunities and challenges presented by the project. It investigates the economic risks perceived by some and explores the nuanced approach of German political opposition towards EMU.

Chapter 3 examines public opinion in Germany towards EMU. It highlights the combination of skepticism towards the common currency and a commitment to the European integration process. This chapter also explores the results of a survey conducted on German public opinion regarding the single currency.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The paper delves into the German national interest in European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), examining the political and economic factors that influenced Germany's support for the project. Key themes include German unification, political union, economic advantages, economic risks, and public opinion towards the Euro. The analysis focuses on the German government's approach towards EMU, emphasizing its role in shaping the project's direction and its commitment to ensuring the Euro's long-term stability.