ABSTRACT
The predominant French conception of 'political Europe' contains a core contradiction in the relation between independence and integration. The political class of Germany's main partner, France, is resistant to intra-European dynamics that cannot be steered by French-led institutions. The foreign policy of the old Federal Republic was shaped by a binary objective of recreating a united Germany in a united Europe. The Germans genuinely believe that their ideas are in other people's best interest. Politics and culture remain connected in the form of nation-states because these entities provide as yet irreplaceable identifications, protective features and organization. Enough homogeneity of opinion and intent was perceived externally so that other nation-states dealt with a uniform construct of 'the Germans' rather than widely variable viewpoints. Germany has moved from a position of division, limited sovereignty and a relatively low foreign policy profile to become the European Union's 'political pacemaker'.
