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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.historikertag.de/Leipzig2023/en/programm/sektionen/the-contentious-leviathan-statehood-and-armed-forces-in-the-federal-republic-of-germany/
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SUMMARY:[Historikertag 2023] The Contentious Leviathan. Statehood and Armed Forces in the Federal Republic of Germany
DESCRIPTION:Numerous studies have impressively shown that statehood and armed forces were inseparably linked in modern times. However, this connection is hardly taken into account in German contemporary history, which has long followed guiding perspectives such as liberalization or civilization. This is where the section comes in and shows that the military during the Cold War was a formative factor in the politics, society and culture of the Federal Republic. The military was particularly controversial because it was associated with the Nazi past and its existence ran counter to the ideal of renouncing violence. At the same time, political decision-makers did not want to do without armed forces, as they still embodied sovereignty, which was long limited in West Germany.
 
This topic discusses central problems of German contemporary history. It is viewed in trans- and international contexts to broaden the national perspective. Using five case studies, the section shows that hegemonic notions of ideas and practices "of the state" gradually eroded. Its claims to legitimacy and tasks became the subject of a discourse that moved between two poles: armed force was perceived on the one hand as a sign of state sovereignty and security and on the other hand as a threat to peace and democracy. Overall, the section makes it clear that research on statehood should include the armed forces: first, because their controversy significantly shaped democratic culture; and second, because potential for violence remained part of statehood even after 1945. This opens up a perspective that does not continue the history of the Federal Republic along entrenched paths, but further pluralizes it.
 
Moderation: Heike Wieters (Berlin)
Der Beitrag The Contentious Leviathan. Statehood and Armed Forces in the Federal Republic of Germany erschien zuerst auf Historikertag 2023.
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