Atlanticism

As Atlanticist people are called who do not base their identity on a single European or North American nation-state, but instead provide a definition of certain values ​​to the fore. These include appreciation for free market economy, liberalism and democracy, as well as an identification with these values ​​representing the states, especially the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and other states in ( Western) Europe.

General

The term derives from the transatlantic relations between Western Europe and the United States. These relationships were crucial for the development of Western Europe during the Cold War, as the close cooperation of these states had existential importance for economic development ( Marshall Plan) and the military protection (NATO) in Europe and especially West Germany.

Today occur Atlanticist for close cooperation with the USA, especially in matters of foreign and defense policy to common long-term interests to protect.

Therefore advocate Atlanticist usually transnational economic ties and advocate a free market economy, as these - contributing to improved international cooperation - from their perspective. They are opponents of a protectionist economic policy, which is limited to a single state.

Atlanticist distance themselves from nationalist, communist / socialist and isolationist movements. They are often found in conservative values ​​and liberal economic spectrum.

In addition to the political Atlanticism there is also an economic Atlanticism, so were in the 1970s in Germany Hoechst, Krupp, Thyssen, Dresdner Bank AEG and the Atlantic- oriented part of German industry. In politics and press Ludwig Erhard, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (CDU) and Kai- Uwe von Hassel, The Mirror, The Star, Time, the Sunday paper, and Christ and the world were regarded as Atlantic sizes.