West Germany’s Foreign Policy in the Era of Brandt and Schmidt, 1969-1982: An Introduction

I. The Global Context of German Foreign Policy. II. Fields of Activity (Ostpolitik, economisation of foreign policy, defence policy, German-American Relationship, Middle East, North-South, European policy). III. The Decision-Making Process (bureaucratic politics, parties, parliament, Constitutional Court). IV. Thematic Problem Areas (legitimacy, political integration, Germany’s role in world politics, controversial political concepts: detente, the nation, the second foundation of the state?; innovation and parliamentary majorities; personalistic approach; political generations; political geography; political steering.) V. An Apparaisal (turning-point in the history of West Germany’s foreign relations?; historical cycles; normal foreign policy?; Germany’s image, self perception.)