The German Polity

This thoroughly revised and updated edition provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary Germany, one of the world’s leading economic and political powers. Tracing the country’s transformation since World War II, the author provides an in-depth guide to Germany’s current institutions, actors, and challenges.

This thoroughly revised and updated edition provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary Germany, one of the world’s foremost economic and political powers. During a series of profound crises over the last decade, including migration challenges, Brexit, and the Covid-19 pandemic, Germany has emerged as the undisputed leader of the European Union. One of the world’s strongest economies, it exports goods, services, and ideas around the world. In foreign policy, it has taken on a more prominent role, especially with its pursuit of soft power. Yet, as adept as German policy making has been, the challenges have produced strains that reveal the limits of German influence. Moreover, after sixteen years in power, Chancellor Angela Merkel will retire and new leadership will guide the country through the 2020s.

Looking back, Eric Langenbacher traces the country’s transformation since the seminal turning points of 1945 after World War II and 1990 after reunification. Looking to the present, the author explains and assesses its major institutions, actors, and issues. Looking forward, he explores the looming economic, security, and demographic challenges Germany must address in the years to come.

List of Tables and Figures

Preface to the Twelfth Edition

Introduction to the Twelfth Edition

The Study of German Politics

The Plan of This Book

1 The Historical Setting: Three Reichs

The First Reich

The Rise of Prussia

The Empire (1871–1918)

World War I and the Collapse of the Second Reich

The Weimar Republic (1919–1933)

The Nazi Seizure of Power

The Third Reich and World War II

Summary and Conclusion

2 From Division to Reunification

The Formation of the Federal Republic

The Basic Law

The German Democratic Republic

Building Socialism: 1949–1961

After the Wall—Stability and Consolidation

Crisis and Collapse of the Communist Regime: 1985–1989

The Unification Process

Summary and Conclusion

3 The Social and Economic Setting

Area and Population

Urbanization and Industrialization

An Export-Oriented Economy

The Rural Sector

Regionalism

Occupational and Class Structure

The Economy

From Economic Basket Case to Savior of the Euro

The Economy’s Hidden Champions: The Mittelstand

Continued Challenges

The Eastern German Economy since Reunification

Income Structure

Capital Resources

Religious Composition

Age and Family Structure

Family Structure

The Educational System

Basic Structure

Mass Media

The Press

Television and Radio

Summary and Conclusion

4 Political Culture, Participation, and Civil Liberties

Political Values

National Identity and the Burden of the Past

Legitimacy

Democratic Values, Processes, and Institutions

Conflict and Competition

Representation and Parliament

Democratic Support in East Germany

Political Interest and Involvement

The General Pattern

Social Capital

New Forms of Political Participation: Citizen Groups and Movements

Civil Liberties and Human Rights

Civil Liberties Controversies

The Status and Role of Key Social Groups

Residents with a Migration Background

Women

Youth

Refugees and Resettlers

Political Radicals and Extremists

Summary and Conclusion

5 The Party System and the Representation of Interests

The Party State

The Party System

The Christian Democrats

The Social Democrats

2017 and Beyond

The Free Democrats

The Greens

The Left Party

The Alternative for Germany

The Radical Right

The Representation of Interests

Extent of Interest Groups

Major Interest Alignments

Summary and Conclusion

6 Elections and Voting Behavior

Electoral Mechanics

The Electoral System

Nomination and Candidate Selection

Criteria for Selection

Electoral Politics and Campaign Styles

Media

Campaign and Party Finance

The Pattern of Federal Elections

Elections after Reunification

The First Merkel Elections: The End of Two-Party Dominance?

Merkel’s Republic: The 2013 and 2017 Elections

Basic Orientations of the Electorate

Ideology

Party Preference

Determinants of Voting Behavior

Sociodemographic Factors

Voter Dynamics

Summary and Conclusion

7 Policy-Making Institutions I: Parliament and Executive

Legislative Institutions

The Bundestag: The Main Political Battleground

The Bundesrat: The “Quiet” Second Chamber

Functions

Formal versus Actual Composition of Membership

Expansion of Veto Power

Divided Parliamentary Control

Executive Institutions: Chancellor and Cabinet

Chancellor Democracy

The Chancellors of the Federal Republic

The Federal President

Summary and Conclusion

The Formal Lawmaking Process

8 Policy-Making Institutions II: Administration, Semipublic Institutions, and Courts

Development of the German Administrative and Judicial System

State Administration

Structure

Personnel

Pressures for Reform

Semipublic Institutions

The Social Security and Health Systems

The Federal Employment Agency

The Bundesbank

The Judiciary and the Court System

The Character of German Law

The Judiciary

Court Structure

Judicial Review and the Federal Constitutional Court

Summary and Conclusion

9 Subnational Units: Federalism and Local Government

The Development of German Federalism

State-Level Politics

Unity and Diversity among German States

The Constitutional Structure of the States

State-Level Party Systems

Electoral Politics in the States

Leaders and Policies

Federal-State Integration: Revenue Sharing

Vertical Equalization and Tax Sharing

The Future of Federalism

Recent Federalism Reforms

Local Government

Structures and Functions

Challenges to Local Government

Summary and Conclusion

10 The Increase and Limits of German Power: The Federal Republic’s Foreign and European Policy

The German Question

Postwar Transformation

Institutions and Socialization

Soft Power

Multilateralism

The Postunification Period: A New Version of the German Question

From the 1991 Gulf War to Kosovo

Into the Twenty-First Century

The European Union

The Impact of European Integration on Germany

German Federalism and Europe

The Euro

The Euro Crisis

Recent Crises and the Strengthening of German Power

The Migration Crisis

Brexit

The Trump Administration

Summary and Conclusion

11 Conclusion: Germany’s Challenging Future

The Past and Future of German Exceptionalism

Insufficient Reforms?

The Future of the Welfare State and the New Poverty

Germany after Merkel

Looking Back and Looking Forward: The German Experience of Political Development and the Future of German Power

Bibliography

Index

About the Author