Gustav Stresemann, German Foreign Minister, played a key role in negotiating the Locarno Treaties, which aimed to stabilize post-WWI Europe. His approach was methodical and focused on building trust and establishing clear, fixed agreements to prevent future conflict, embodying the German preference for structure and legal certainty.
history
European Stability Mechanism (2012)
Wolfgang Schäuble, as Finance Minister, played a central role in negotiating the European Stability Mechanism. He was known for his strict, no-nonsense approach, insisting on clear financial rules and enforcement mechanisms, underscoring the German preference for contractual certainty and fiscal discipline.
NAFTA Negotiations (1992)
The North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico reflected America’s emphasis on economic pragmatism and a win-win perspective. U.S. negotiators focused on securing favorable trade terms while maintaining flexibility for future adjustments, a characteristic of the American negotiation style.
Hauptmann Wiesler
In The Lives of Others, set in 1984 East Berlin, the Stasi secret police monitor playwright Georg Dreyman, suspecting him of anti-government activities. The Stasi officer, Hauptmann (captain) Wiesler, employs a methodical, structured approach during Dreyman’s interrogation.
Wiesler adheres strictly to protocol, asking precise, repetitive questions to expose inconsistencies. The scene is devoid of emotional appeals and is driven by logic, structure, and adherence to bureaucratic procedure. The emphasis on detailed questioning, factual evidence, and strict procedural adherence reflects the German preference for systematic, rule-based negotiation, even in coercive situations.
Andreas Baader
Andreas Baader, a leader of the Red Army Faction in then West Germany, negotiates with prison authorities regarding his imprisonment conditions. Baader adopts a direct, blunt, and confrontational style, emphasizing his ideological stance and refusing to compromise. The prison authorities, in contrast, stick to legal procedures, emphasizing structure, order, and adherence to established rules. The emphasis on procedure, legal frameworks, and strict adherence to protocol reflects the German approach to negotiation as a rule-bound, structured process, devoid of emotional influence.
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Although the Treaty of Versailles was deeply resented in Germany, the Allied powers expected strict adherence to its terms, and Germany was held to a high standard of compliance. The German public and government viewed agreements – even highly unfavorable ones – as binding, and the expectation was that obligations would be fulfilled as stipulated, unless renegotiated through formal channels.
Civil Rights Negotiations (1950s-1960s)
Martin Luther King Jr. negotiated numerous agreements with local and federal governments, emphasizing nonviolent resistance and moral persuasion. His approach was ethical, patient, and deeply focused on gaining moral authority, influencing public opinion as well as political leaders.
Paris Peace Accords (1973)
Henry Kissinger orchestrated negotiations to end the Vietnam War, securing the Paris Peace Accords and receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. His approach was rooted in Realpolitik, leveraging strategic interests to achieve complex diplomatic goals.
Renegotiation
Frequent Renegotiation and Non-Ratification of Treaties: The U.S. diplomatic history is marked by numerous instances where treaties were signed but not ratified, or where the U.S. reserved the right to renegotiate or withdraw—such as the failure to ratify the 1911 Reciprocity Treaty with Canada or the 1927 Naval Disarmament Conference in Geneva, which ended without agreement.
Peace of Augsburg
The Peace of Augsburg (1555): This treaty ended religious conflict within the Holy Roman Empire by allowing rulers to choose their territory’s religion. The agreement was reached only after protracted negotiations and careful consideration of the political and religious context. The resulting yes was highly binding and respected, reflecting the German preference for thorough context before agreement.