“…Although historians are well advised to let time pass before assessing events of undoubted importance, political science discussion about the relative importance of situational factors and the role of individual politicians in the process of German unification started immediately after the event; some emphasized its &dquo;improvised&dquo; character (Lehmbruch, 1990), others stressed the interdependence between the exceptional situation and the temporarily charismatic traits of Chancellor Kohl (Hartwich, 1991), while the preconditions of international politics are occasionally recollected (von Beyme, 1991: 17-21). Certainly, there can be no doubt that, actively and/or reactively, political decisions without the usual bureaucratic preparation and partly against bureaucratic advice were taken between Chancellor Kohl's initial confederation plan of November 1989 and the treaty about German economic union of May 1990.…”