Refugee crisis in Germany from a constructivst view

Germany, one of Europe’s most dominant and influential countries, has surprisingly taken a leading role in addressing the current influx of immigrants into Europe. Seeing that Germany is in need of young workers and is interested in keeping the European Union strong, its new “open door” policy, in regard to the immigrants, has practical, economic and political benefits. However, in my opinion, Germany’s motivation to take this position comes from its ongoing attempts to redefine itself as a non-aggressive and peaceful part of the European community. Germany’s hope to shift its identity from aggressor to cooperator, after its problematic past, is the main force behind its generous behavior in the refugee crisis.

Germany is still often defined by memories of its past that were marked by fascism, war, and genocide. From an outside perspective, this problematic history still frequently determines its global identity. From a constructivist viewpoint, a state’s interests and intentions are derived from its identity. Because policies, interests, and culture are ever-changing, there cannot necessarily be a set structure that dictates a state’s actions and intentions. Instead, international politics should be viewed as a process that accounts for constant change. Ever since the end of the Cold War and its unification, Germany is struggling to reshape its national identity and break free from its nationalist past. A big motivation to change how it is perceived in the world comes from Germany’s need to ensure its own safety by being part of larger organizations of states such as NATO and the European Union. Germany must show that it is not falling back into old patterns of action and that it should not be defined by its past mistakes.

There are a multitude of examples that display Germany’s attempt to alter its image. After World War II, Germany became much more globally integrated by playing important roles in the European Union, NATO, United Nations, and other peace keeping institutions. Germany’s liberal asylum law that became a part of Germany’s constitution after World War II is yet another example of how Germany has been working to move away from an image of an aggressive and power-thirsty nation, and move towards a depiction as a more peaceful and cooperative state. In the current immigration situation, Germany once again wants to be seen in a positive light and live up to its own self-image of a helpful people that strive to protect the weak. While I don’t deny that there are “selfish” and practical reasons, such as self-preservation inside a functioning EU and economic prosperity in form of an influx of young and energetic immigrants into its aging workforce, the biggest motivation for the surprising sacrifices that Germany is willing to make in the refugee crisis is Germany’s goal to redefine its own culture and identity.