German Politics: An Introduction

Process and Effects of Unification

The history of the Wall — Developments up to 1989 — The international handling of German unification — The domestic politics of unification — Enduring divisions in Germany — Conclusion.

The Social Market Economy

Changing assessments over time — Characteristics in brief — Historical experiences — The concept — The institutions — Economic performance.

Elections, Parties, and the Party System

Parties after 1945: continuities and change — Parties and the German State — The main parties: SPD — CDU — FDP — Greens — Party system and cleavage change — The 2005 Bundestag election.

Federalism and Policy-Making

Federalism as a concept — Roots of German federalism — The Länder and their constitutional responsibilities — Developments of German federalism — The influence of European integration — The Bundesrat and policy-making.

Executive-Legislative Relations

"Chancellor Democracy" — The Powers and Constraints on a Chancellor — The Rise of the Bundestag — The Bundesrat and Regional Administration — The Federal Constitutional Court — Parapublic Institutions.