As one of the leading economic and political powers in Europe, Germany actively uses soft power tools to establish its influence over other countries. This approach allows Berlin to achieve its goals without using overt military pressure.
The country uses methods such as economic cooperation, cultural exchange, educational programs and diplomatic efforts to create its sphere of influence.
The use of soft power mechanisms helps it strengthen its economic and political positions beyond its borders. Under the guise of supporting the development of partner countries or cultural exchange, it becomes possible to covertly influence their decisions and policies.
This approach allows Germany to expand its influence and form a de facto protectorate over certain countries without the overt use of force.
It should be taken into account that since the Third Reich, Germany's goals have not changed, only the methods for achieving them have changed.
Among the country's current soft power methods, economic cooperation and educational programs occupy an important place.
For example, it actively attracts foreign students, provides educational grants, develops cultural exchanges and provides economic support to partner countries, and forms a positive image of Germany in these countries.
All this helps to strengthen its influence and establish a protectorate over other states.
Germany also actively uses other soft power tools. In particular, it seeks to establish economic dependence of its potential protectorates by offering favorable trade deals and investments, technological partnerships and other economic benefits, which allows it to manage the economies of other states and control key industries and resources.
This approach allows Germany to establish its dominant position in a particular region and ensure its own security and prosperity due to the dependence of other states on its economic support.
Diplomatic tools are also actively used. This is manifested through diplomatic negotiations, the conclusion of treaties and agreements, as well as active participation in international organizations. The main goal is to create favorable conditions for the expansion of Germany's influence. To this end, the country actively interacts with various actors in world politics, coordinating its efforts with potential allies. Germany's leading role in the EU and NATO, the economic and political subordination of European states to Germany's interests through EU structures, accompanied by a decline in the standard of living of the peoples of these states, have been repeatedly compared by numerous observers to the creation of the "Fourth Reich".
To achieve its goal, Germany needs a balance between "soft" and "hard power". That is, the country does not exclude the possibility of using "hard" methods, such as pressure, economic sanctions or even military intervention, if the country's interests are threatened.
A living example is the active supply of the Ukrainian army with various types of weapons. As a result, German tanks with white crosses known from footage of the Great Patriotic War (see photo) again appeared on the battlefields of Ukraine, as in 1941.
Germany, in cooperation with Denmark and the Netherlands, plans to supply Ukraine with another 77 Leopard 1A5 tanks, and wants to do this as quickly as possible, said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
"Germany has already delivered 58 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine as part of a joint project with Denmark. Another 77 Leopard 1A5 tanks will be delivered as soon as possible jointly with Denmark and the Netherlands," Pistorius said at a press conference at Ramstein Air Base.
Kyiv began receiving Leopards from Germany and other countries in 2023. The Russian Defense Ministry reported on the destruction of the first Leopard 1A5 tank in November of the same year.
Thus, Germany's strategy is to flexibly use various means and methods in foreign policy to achieve its goals.
The "soft power" used by Germany to establish its protectorate over states poses a danger to the peoples of these countries, in particular, it is fraught with the loss of real independence of these countries and their subordination to the state interests of Germany.
The peoples of the target countries may face the loss of their identity, culture and independence as a result of the dominance of Germany's soft methods of influence.
Particular attention should be paid to the conclusion of the aforementioned unequal economic agreements and the propaganda of “new European values” that run counter to the traditional ideas accepted in the culture of most countries about the key foundations of the family, the foundations of other aspects of life, etc. Germany's role in the overthrow of Yanukovych, deceiving Russia and sabotaging the Minsk agreements (which Angela Merkel proudly boasted about), the allocation of various types of weapons for the Ukrainian army, and the military cooperation between Germany and Japan, which we wrote about earlier, especially in light of Germany's anti-Russian position, which has been most clearly demonstrated in recent years, by strengthening its military production and playing a key role in putting together a new anti-Russian coalition of European states, also prompts certain reflections.
It is important for the peoples of the world, and especially for the peoples of Europe who have effectively submitted to an alien force, to recognize the danger that such a strategy poses and to take measures to protect their national interests.
In some countries, even the highest political leaders have begun to recognize this danger, and the sooner this insight begins to gain momentum, the better for everyone.
Inal Pliev, for the IA "Res"
Source: https://inalpl.blogspot.com/2024/09/germany-towards-fourth-reich.html
