Today, Federal Republic of Germany is a major European power (in terms of population and economy) after having attained recognition for healthy blending of real politique and moralism. This combination is an object of emulation and holds lessons for many developing nations afflicted with prolonged and deeply entrenched conflicts over territory, resources and hyper nationalism.
National security and sovereignty are frequently employed as justifications of domestic/foreign policies and act as mantras for perpetuation of hostilities. In fact, few leaders realize that over-emphasis on security or securitization of old style nationalism is an inherent sign of insecurity. More often, threats are manufactured and security is procured. Nowhere in the world have deep and abiding conflicts been able to resolve issues.
In fact, true national security springs from national well-being and is only possible with supporting vectors: healthy neighbourly relations; regional connectivity; trade and investment, and emphasis on welfarism over seeking security by mere acquisition of arms and military doctrines.
While nuclear weapons act as a safeguard against major military attack and occupation of territory, genuine national development can be assured by technology, trade and adjusting of policies from globalization, climate degradation, digitalization and diplomacy.
Today, most of the Muslim world, barring odd examples, is consumed by mutual animosities based on pseudo - nationalism and at the cost of fighting poverty, disease and illiteracy.
Many right-thinking people feel that morbid and turbo-charged nationalism leads to chauvinism and bigotry and serves demagogues for short-term gains. The WWI and WWII and many ongoing conflicts are testimony to that verity. Now with nuclear weapons wars could be more horrific.
Interestingly, Germany has not recused itself from global responsibilities: active involvement in climate protection; non-armament, skilful diplomacy, humanitarian assistance in accepting refugees, shoring up of economies, promoting trade and investment and development of new technologies are highlights of its policies. By fusing pragmatism with moralism it has set a post-Cold War precedent.
Whereas during WW-II, German Panzer divisions roared across parts of Europe, today German banks and trading companies are involved in commerce and businesses. When needed, its peacekeeping forces were utilized under the UN or Nato framework.
Germany has avoided to meddle or jump into conflicts by sending proxy forces. For example, lately the German government rebuffed a request by the US to send forces to Syria to mop up the remnants of ISIS forces. After the end of WWII and 30 years following re-unification of Germany it has not swerved from the policy of pacifism and anti-militarism.
Whether it got Nato military protection or not is not the only reason for its policies. Many countries protected by the US have remained hooked on to nationalism in their own way. Besides horrors and destruction wrought by World Wars, it was the sagacious German leadership who learnt the lessons of war.
After all, Germany is a nation of inventions, philosophers and intellectuals but got misguided by fascist leaders and their propaganda. But the credit goes to then Chancellor Willy Brandt, sometimes dismissed by Henry Kissinger as an 'idealist' and 'romanticist,' that war is not the "ultima ratio but the ultima irratio."
After starting with healthy nationalism Germany outsourced its security to others without acting as vassal to big powers. 1983 it did not take any part in 'out of area' deployments except mandated by UN, or European Community.
No doubt after the 9/11, it raised the defence budget but curtailed military manpower. In 1992, it reunified with East Germany and economically helped it to stand on its feet. When the economic crisis hit Italy, Poland, Greece and Italy it extended economic aid.
Nations earn respect when they are givers and not seekers of aid all the time and only brag of their military power. Although the largest in population and size in EC, Germany has done well in technology, trade and education. Economic clout, industrial strength, non-interference - yet healthy involvement in global affairs, humanitarianism (acceptance of refugees), ecology and climate have earned good will and respect.
It has a policy of right to 'look the other way' which many European countries are hesitant to do so while conveniently jumping on US bandwagon.
Every nation justifies its policies by citing examples from history, geographical location and peculiar circumstances but Germany holds out some object lessons.
As history shows, toxic ideologies and power-obsessed leaders have only wrought havoc and misery to their people. Perhaps, South Asian nuclear-armed nations, heir to old and rich civilizations, could learn some useful lessons from Germany.
(The writer is a Visiting Faculty, Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He also served as President Islamabad Policy Research Institute; Adviser, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad; and Head, Dept of International Relations, NUML University, Islamabad Campus)
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