"A major theme of the book is Germany's promotion of both the deepening and widening of the European Union; using the example of EMU, the book reaches conclusions that contradict many of the views expressed in the general political debate in Britain and elsewhere and thereby makes its own original and perhaps controversial contribution. Finally the book examines how Germany has fared in developing its position as a 'civilian power' in the context of the future prospects for European security.

The author concludes that Germany has a central role to play in the future of the European system of states, but that it is neither to be feared nor that its power should be exaggerated."--BOOK JACKET.