Germany, Russia, Europe: Multilevel politics and the divergent resonance of “history”

Abstract

The German and Russian nations share a long relationship. They fought the largest part of the world’s largest ever war. Resonances of that conflict and the Cold War that followed it still permeate their contemporary relationship. Under very different political systems, however, “history” is interpreted and responded to very differently. Concern for status and image, as well as geostrategic factors, motivate Russian officialdom’s disputing of the “post-Cold War order.” Germany is viewed as the pivotal state and nation in Europe. Russia seeks to influence Germany’s civil society and political elite in the attempt to obtain favourable policy outcomes. Sympathy for the Russian position within Germany is outweighed by disquiet regarding Russian foreign policy adventurism and its authoritarian regime more generally.