Memory, Norms and Realpolitik in German Foreign Policy (1990–2022): A Discourse-Oriented Content Analysis of Historical Responsibility, Strategic Interests and Foreign Policy Identity.

Details

Supervisors

Gabriel, Vincent

Faculty

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales, politiques et de communication

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences politiques, orientation relations internationales, à finalité spécialisée: diplomatie et résolution des conflits

Abstract

This thesis examines how memory, normative orientations and strategic interests are intertwined in German foreign policy between 1990 and 2022. The focus is not on evaluating individual political decisions, but on the question of how foreign policy action is justified and legitimised in coalition agreements and government statements. Methodologically, the thesis is based on a qualitative content analysis with a discourse-analytical orientation of official government documents from 1990 to 2025. The analysis shows that historical memory acts less as a direct imperative for action and more as a key shaper of Germany’s self-image in foreign policy. Responsibility, multilateralism and cooperation increasingly appear as self-evident components of German foreign policy. At the same time, normative orientations serve not only as limits to political action, but frequently as resources for legitimately presenting strategic interests. The thesis concludes that German foreign policy cannot be understood as either purely normative or purely interest-driven. Rather, it emerges from a discursive interplay of memory, norms and Realpolitik.