ABSTRACT
The Chancellor’s paraphrase of Thomas Mann’s statement tellingly reveals the nagging question surrounding united Germany. The renunciation of a ‘German Europe’ is plainly designed to allay ubiquitous fears of resurgent German nationalism-of a Germany now proud, strong, and bossy enough to dominate Europe again. The pledge to a ‘European Germany,’ by contrast, is meant as a warranty of unswerving German liberalism-of a democratic, dependable, conciliatory Germany dedicated to European integration. No one, least the Germans, doubts that united Germany will lead Europe in the future. But Angst abounds over whether Germany will lead the Continent backwards to the Europe of yesteryear, ravished by destructive nationalism, or forwards to a harmonious Europe of tomorrow which finally realizes the best of its lofty liberal tradition.
