Interest groups in shaping Germany’s foreign policy towards China
Interest groups in shaping Germany’s foreign policy towards China

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this article is to explore the multi-faceted dynamics of interest groups in the process of shaping Germany’s foreign policy toward China. The analysis focuses on understanding the role ofvarious interest groups and their influence on decision-making, as well as showing the complexity and implications of this influence in the context of a democratic society. The main thrust of the text is to understand how various interest groups in Germany influence its foreign policy toward China, particularly in the context of mutual economic benefits and the development of political relations. The study focuses on identifying key interest groups and analysing the mechanisms and implications of their impact on decision-making processes. The text poses several research hypotheses: 1) interest groups, such as business associations, research institutes and think tanks, the mass media and the general public, as well as the Chinese diaspora in Germany, play a significant role in shaping Germany’s foreign policy towards China; 2) the mechanisms of interest groups’ influence stem from their ability to channel social interests into the political system and take advantage of institutional opportunities for participation; 3) the varying distribution of power among competing interest groups in Germany, may be explained by indicating that power is not concentrated within a small privileged elite but is rather fragmented among different groups. The role of expert knowledge, the importance of the Chinese diaspora and the interest of the public and the media are all significant factors. The article uses literature analysis and qualitative research based on expert interviews with academics,researchers, think tank representatives, and government officials. These interviews provide valuable information on the mechanisms of interest groups’ effect on German foreign policy.The article demonstrates that interest groups play an important role in shaping Germany’s foreign policy toward China and that this influence results from their capacity to represent public interestsand take advantage of institutional opportunities for participation, which is consistent with the liberal paradigm of international relations. A pluralist perspective on analysis emphasizes the importance of competitive politics and citizen participation in decision-making processes. Maintaining democratic integrity and transparency in Germany’s international operations requires an understanding of these complex relationships.

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