Conclusion: The Added Value of Studying Diffusion in the Context of Franco-German Relations

Abstract

In the conclusion, the main insights from the in-depth analysis of various Franco-German diffusion processes in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are summarized. It is argued that diffusion has been present in highly diverse contexts involving different actors and mechanisms. Against what might be assumed, diffusion has occurred especially in periods of conflict between France and Germany. Furthermore, diffusion ‘success’ seems to depend much on the engagement of diffusion ‘recipients’ (such as local elites), and the use of non-coercive diffusion mechanisms (such as socialization and communicative learning). As a result, it is highlighted that the teleological mainstream analytical narrative of Franco-German relations should be de-emphasized as both societies continued to influence each other even in times of perceived ‘enmity’. The results of this study have also epistemological implications for IR scholarship: while political units, including states, are more often than not treated as autonomously evolving actors, this book’s discussion has demonstrated that dyadic normative interaction needs to be taken into account. States ‘learn’ not only via the bias of international organizations or transnational advocacy coalitions but also from each other via channels of transnational media, intergovernmental communication, travelling experts, role-modelling, or simply competitive pressure.