Publications
In the spotlight
Nuclear Energy in the U.S. and Germany: Weighing the Risks
Energy and climate policy in the U.S. and in Germany seem to be miles apart. In 2011, Germany decided to phase-out nuclear, whereas in early 2012 the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted the first license to build and operate an extension of a nuclear power plant for the first time since 1978…. Read more >
The Role of the German Jewish Community in Postwar Germany’s International Recognition
In a new Transatlantic Perspectives essay, DAAD/AICGS Fellow Prof. Dr. Michael Brenner analyzes the role the Jewish past and the small contemporary Jewish community played in the foreign policy of the two German states before 1989, and to a smaller extent of unified Germany. The symbolic role the Jewish community played in the recognition of West Germany as a major player on the international stage was one of importance, Prof. Dr. Brenner argues, but in contrast, only during its last years of existence did the GDR use its official Jewish community to improve its foreign relations.
The Benefits of Reviving Transatlantic Armaments Cooperation
During the Cold War, Germany and the U.S. fostered close arms cooperation and development. Yet, after German unification, Germany focused on developing and procuring armament systems either domestically or within the EU. In Policy Report #46, Senior Non-Resident Fellow Alexander Ritzmann argues that German-American defense cooperation could once again become an area in which transatlantic cooperation helps to overcome challenges. Ritzmann offers some concrete policy recommendations to the U.S. and German governments to increase transatlantic defense cooperation and outlines what has led to the current lack of cooperation.
Friendship Assimilation and Ethnic Homophily of Young Immigrants in the U.S. and Germany
Although Germany’s share of immigrants ranks third in the EU behind Luxembourg and Switzerland, Germany still seems to struggle with being a country of immigration, writes DAAD/AICGS Fellow Prof. Dr. Michael Windzio. Regarding the increasing relative size of the first, second, and third generation immigrant population, however, it is a crucial question for Germany’s future development whether their integration will be successful. In this light, Prof. Dr. Windzio offers an overview of theories of immigrant incorporation in social networks and empirical results on segregation in social networks in the U.S. and Germany, further examining how the German and American debates on integration differ.
Untapped Potential: The Future of the Transatlantic Economic Council
As the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) prepares for its next meeting on 17 December 2010, it is time to inject new life into the institution, write AICGS Non-Resident Senior Fellow Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner and Deborah Klein. In this new Transatlantic Perspectives essay written just in advance of the TEC’s meeting, the authors provide an overview of the current state of the transatlantic economic partnership, highlight the areas where trade is still impeded by barriers, and offer policy recommendations for maximizing the Council’s potential benefits.
The Reform of the IMF: Europe’s Short-Term Arithmetic and Long-Term Choices
In this Transatlantic Perspectives essay, DAAD/AICGS Fellow Katharina Gnath discusses the G20′s compromise on a large-scale reform of the IMF, including the deal that transfers two of the eight European Executive Board seats to emerging market countries. Over the coming months, Europe will have to make some tough choices on the implementation of the deal, Ms. Gnath writes, and she argues that European member states should use this opportunity to improve the EU’s international macroeconomic policy and relations with the IMF.
The Idea of the European Union as an Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice: Exploring the Europeanization of Germany’s Domestic Security Policy
DAAD/AICGS Fellow Ms. Constance Baban explores the impact of the idea of the European Union as an area of freedom, security, and justice on Germany’s domestic security policy in the context of 9/11, and how the challenges of ‘Europeanization’ have been confronted within Germany’s security policy debate. Ms. Baban discusses actual changes in domestic security policy, but also focuses on the political and media discourse and how this has affected the outcome of several security policies since 9/11.
Recovering From an Economic Hangover: Lessons and Prescriptions for Transatlantic Cooperation
Two years after the financial and economic crisis began in the United States and shortly thereafter spread to Europe and Germany, the subsequent economic downturn continues to cause problems around the globe. In Issue Brief 38, “Recovering From an Economic Hangover: Lessons and Prescriptions for Transatlantic Cooperation,” AICGS Research Associate Kirsten Verclas analyzes the impact of the economic crisis on Germany, the EU, and the United States and offers policy recommendations for promoting greater cooperation in the future.
Globalizing Labor Relations across the Atlantic? The Role of Institutions and Actors
Globalization has facilitated the spread of investments and manufacturing by transnational corporations (TNCs), opening new opportunities, but also posing new challenges to their business models and highlighting the need for a restructuring of employment and production, writes DAAD/AICGS Fellow Dr. Michael Fichter. Dr. Fichter focuses on the role of labor relations in the operations and policies of German TNCs in the United States and examines if there is any convergence of labor relations policies across the Atlantic.
German Family Policy and the Idea of “Wahlfreiheit”
At 3.1 percent of GDP, Germany spends far above the OECD average on family benefits, whereas the United States spends only 1.3 percent of its GDP on family benefits. However, differences in spending are not the only contrasts regarding family policy in Germany and the U.S., writes former DAAD/AICGS Fellow Dr. Isabelle Kürschner. They also differ significantly with respect to parental leave systems, maternal employment rates, and the number of children born in each country. Dr. Kürschner examines the distinctiveness of German family policy in this Transatlantic Perspectives essay.
Forging the Future of Germany and Europe: Reflections on 20 Years of German Unification
The questions, choices, and decisions that Germany of 2010 faces today are vastly different than those the two Germanys confronted over two decades ago. This special publication, made possible by the Dräger Foundation, looks back not only at the changes in Germany as they unfolded in 1989 and 1990, but offers views on Germany’s role in Europe and the world in the decades to come.
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