Ontological security in post-war West Germany (1945-1952). An analysis of national collective memories and the Luxembourg Reparations Agreement.

Details

Supervisors

Rosoux, Valérie

Faculty

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales, politiques et de communication

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences politiques, orientation relations internationales, à finalité spécialisée: diplomatie et résolution des conflits

Abstract

This paper deals with West Germany’s identity in the immediate post-war years (1945-1952) using the IR “ontological security” perspective as well as the concept of collective memory. Two levels of analysis are apprehended. Firstly, the domestic level is studied, where the West German population’s collective memorization and biographical narratives were used to securitize self-identity. We find that while political identities may have been discontinued, recognition of the uniqueness of Jewish persecution remained low in those years. Antisemitism even grew, paradoxically. Furthermore, biographical narratives spun around the myths of ‘German suffering’ and the ‘Fallen German Soldier’ were instrumental in the denial of collective guilt. Secondly, West Germany’s foreign policy towards Israeli reparation payments is also the subject of analysis. Through the meticulous description of the negotiations leading up to the signature of the Luxembourg Agreement of 1952, the key actors’ ontological securitization will be put to the test. We find that each State faced a dilemma between securitization of their material well-being or of their self-identity. Material considerations often outweigh ontological security in the case study.