Reunification of Germany: Socio-economic Implications and European Reintegration

Abstract

Paper aims to observe  the German  case of reunification, starting from the descriptive summary  of the initial German separation plan of 1943, and its predominant driving factors both domestically and interna- tionally. For the purposes of this research microeconomic  performances  of both former Federal Republic of Germany (hereinafter FRG) and German Democratic Republic (hereinafter GDR) are assessed through statistical data analysis of such related aspects as: life satisfaction, labor division and migration. Following chapter discusses  the ideological  influences  of the Soviet and the Western frontiers over the separated Germany and aims to observe any visible manifestations of those dichotomous schools of thought. Based on the literature analysis paper goes on to argue that other than ideology there was an evident psycho- logical and social dimension to the outside pressure. It also concentrates on German European integration policy as a high priority on German foreign policy agenda since its reunification in early 1990s. Causes of German reunification are addressed through the lens of three predominant IR theories: realism, liberalism and constructivist school of thought. This chapter tries to answer why Germany chose to concentrate  on European integration rather than inhabiting a more aggressive and self-centered  foreign policy discourse and tries to provide  possible  explanations based on above mentioned theoretical approaches.  By ana- lyzing the political debate one can assume that the action taken by Germany proved to coincide with a widely consolidated supranational European identity. In those particular cases when they didn’t coincide, widespread criticism and subsequent corrective responses were launched. German reunification is a para- mount case which serves as a unique and timeless example of how the well-planned regional reintegration strategy can be utilized to benefit multiple actors involved.