Political Culture in Germany

Aspects of political culture, i.e. concerns with the 'subjective' dimension of politics including dominant political orientations, perceptions and interpretations, always have been particularly relevant with regard to the case of Germany and its great variety of political regimes during the last century. This is true both with regard to political science and practical politics. This volume provides a comprehensive overview concerning the major historical legacies, regional and sub-cultural variations, and current problems of democratic orientations, national identity and relationships to the outside world.

List of Figures and Tables - Preface - Notes on Contributors - PART 1: INTRODUCTION - Political Culture in Germany: A Paradigmatic Case; D.Berg-Schlosser & R.Rytlewski - The Study of Political Culture; G.A.Almond - PART 2: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES - Legacies of the German Empire; P.Steinbach - Problems of Identity and Consensus in a Fragmented Society: the Period of Weimar; D.Lehnert & K.Megerle - Culture and Politics in Nazi Germany; P.Reichel - Subject Political Culture as Heritage? Continuities and Changes in the Early Post-War Years; E.Holtmann - PART 3: SUB-CULTURAL VARIATIONS - The Significance of Regional Variations: The Case of Baden-W rttemberg; H-G.Wehling - Specificities of Bavarian Political Culture; A.Mintzel - The Political Culture of the New Social Movements; K-W.Brand - Sub-cultural Aspects of Right-Wing Extremism; H-G.Jaschke - PART 4: POLITICAL CULTURE IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC - Political Cultural Aspects of the System Transformation; W.Koch & U.Matthes - The Political Culture of Protestantism; E.Neubert - The Central 'Round Table': An Instrument of Transition to a New Identity; A.Hahn & R.Schirmer - The Endless Election: 1990 in the GDR; T.R.Cusack & W-D.Eberwein - PART 5: OVERALL ASSESSMENTS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC - The State Tradition in Germany: Continuities and Changes; K.Rohe - Trends of Political Support; D.Fuchs - PART 6: ASPECTS OF NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION - Changing Aspects of National Identity; B.Westle - Attitudes towards European Integration; K-R.Korte - Perceptions of the 'New Germany' in the International System; J.Schissler - PART 7: CONCLUSIONS - German Perspectives; D.Berg-Schlosser & R.Rytlewski - Bibliography - Index