Germany´s Role in the World (April 2024)

The study on Germany´s role in the world was conducted by dimap on behalf of the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government. During the survey period from 15.04.2024 to 26.04.2024, the population aged 16 and over in Germany was asked in telephone interviews (CATI) how they assess Germany´s influence in the world, how they perceive other countries (in particular the USA, China and Russia) and what they think about issues of defense and arms deliveries. Respondents were selected using a multi-stage random sample including landline and mobile phone numbers (dual-frame sample).  The findings are supplemented by results from qualitative group discussions that GIM conducted on these topics on behalf of the BPA. The report on the results of this qualitative study is available in the archive, but not the corresponding data.

Content:
1. Germany in the world - today and in the future: Interest in foreign policy; informed about foreign policy; foreign policy topics. on which information is specifically sought (on the war in Ukraine, the Middle East conflict in Israel and Gaza, the presidential elections in the USA in November 2024, the European Parliament elections in June 2024); opinion on Germany´s influence in the world; increase or decrease in Germany´s influence in the world in the last ten years; improvement or deterioration in Germany´s reputation in the world in the last twelve months; Germany´s behavior in asserting its own interests vis-à-vis other countries; Germany must pay particular attention to serious human rights violations in other countries vs. should exercise restraint and not interfere (split with reference to Germany´s National Socialist past); assessment of the German government´s involvement in relation to global problems; assessment of the German government´s involvement specifically in relation to the war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict in Israel and Gaza; preferences regarding the German government´s involvement in the Middle East conflict (should it be more committed to the interests of Israel or the Palestinian civilian population, should it be equally committed to both or neither); assessment of Israel´s military response to Hamas´ terrorist attacks as appropriate, too far-reaching or not far-reaching enough.

2. Germany´s relationship with various countries: Assessment of relations between Germany and various countries (UK, France, USA, Russia and China); perception of the respective states USA, Russia and China as trustworthy or not trustworthy, economically strong or economically weak, militarily strong or militarily weak, threatening or not threatening; USA as a reliable partner with regard to Germany´s security; Germany´s over-dependence on the USA, Russia and China; opinion on the future expansion of cooperation with the emerging economies India, Brazil and South Africa; Germany should continue, expand or reduce economic cooperation with China to the current extent; agreement with the statement: For me, when dealing with China, representing Germany´s economic interests is more important than standing up for human rights on the ground.

3. instruments for foreign policy tasks: Supporting or rejecting the reintroduction of compulsory military service; supporting or rejecting general compulsory service for young men and women in the Bundeswehr or in the social sector; increasing or decreasing spending on the Bundeswehr and defense; arms deliveries by the German government to Ukraine are right vs. wrong; opinion on arms exports from Germany (to all countries and regions without restriction, to crisis regions only if German interests are affected, not at all to crisis regions, only to Germany´s allies, there should generally be no arms exports from Germany); sense of security in Germany; opinion on NATO´s obligation to stand by NATO; NATO will continue to be needed in the future; Europeans should build their own defense alliance vs. Europeans should use NATO; assessment of various foreign policy instruments as helpful in asserting Germany´s own interests in foreign policy (diplomatic negotiations, development cooperation, Bundeswehr deployments, economic sanctions, arms deliveries and arms exports, international trade agreements, international cooperation in education, science and research as well as international law agreements).