Perspectives on the Federal Republic of Germany: Past, Present, and Future

This individual study examines the changing political spectrum in the Federal Republic of Germany FRG, a subject chosen because of the importance of the FRG to the U.S. defense effort and its key position in NATO. The report provides a brief survey of some issues from the past which impact on current German attitudes, a review of the issues which appear to be affecting the relationship between Germany and the United States, and scenarios which foresee three different Germanies in the world of 2013. Some fissures have been developing between the United States and its strong ally of some 40 years. However, the author of this report concludes that there is no immediate danger of a rupture in the close relationship. The study encourages readers to recognize these changes and to illustrate their possible effects, the author constructs three different Germanies which could emerge by 2013, each based on the existent trends. To preserve the strong relationship between West Germany and the United States, it is necessary to not only understand that changes are occurring but to plan to manage changes in the future.