ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the general characteristics of German foreign policy moulded in the post-war contexts. It examines its initial reaction to the war in Bosnia by revealing how normative considerations influenced its decision making. The chapter investigates the clash of different normative claims between ‘never again Auschwitz’, ‘never again war’ and ‘never again alone’. It argues that the political conditions led the German government to seek for North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s reorganisation based upon humanitarian crisis ‘prevention’. Because it was demanded that Germany not only change its foreign policy but also adhere to its pacifist principles at the same time, it shifted towards the creation of preventive mechanisms in international politics so that contingencies would be addressed before military intervention became unavoidable. The chapter contemplates how Germany would respond to foreign humanitarian disasters. It is conceivable that voices for action may be raised based upon the humanitarianism when people are exposed to critical human rights conditions.
