Germany: Between Europe and the World (World Politics Review Features)

The ongoing sovereign debt crisis in Europe has focused attention on the European Union, and in particular on Germany's evolving role in shaping its future. Long seen as Europe's reluctant leader, Germany has displayed a newfound assertiveness that raises as many questions as it answers. Can Germany -- and Europe -- overcome the paradoxes of its economic model? Is the German vision for EU economic and political governance sustainable? And with Germany's commitment to Europe increasingly questioned, how realistic is the temptation of "going it alone"? For Germany, and Europe, there will be no easy answers.