Influence of Economic Relations on Bilateral Relations: A case study of Germany/France & Germany/China

In this paper, three thesis statements concerning the influence of economic relations on non-economic bilateral relations have been developed. In order to validate the thesis statements a methodology was chosen that is mainly data driven and based on two case studies and a data comparison procedure, as opposed to a "theoretical approach". After the methodology was evaluated a choice of cases was made and data were collected. Furthermore appropriate data (frequency and availability of data) were collected and presented. Finally data evaluation was undertaken (as a comparability check) and conclusions (e.g. that the relation of Germany and France is 100:8 stronger than Germany-China, based on data!) derived from the collected data were made. As a next step the "impact matrix" of Vester (that is commonly used to analyze influences) was developed based on the data out of the two cases and the data comparison sections.

Antje Schütt worked over the last years in international projects in Asia, Africa and Europe. Besides she studied Marketing & Management, made a Master in Contemporary Diplomacy and received her MBA. Presently she focuses in her company on the online service platform “Bewerbersicht” as well as on multi project- and process management and lecturing.