German Public Policy and Federalism

Since unification German society and institutions have been challenged by various transformations and the need to adjust to changing conditions. While much has been accomplished, many political, legal, and institutional problems remain. This volume deals with selected aspects of domestic and European policy, political parties, the challenge of direct democracy, and federalism in unified Germany – all issues that have been the subject of much discussion, political posturing, legislation, and, to some extent, constitutional amendments and court decision for many years, if not decades. In conclusion, a British scholar looks at German federalism and a number of public policy issues from a comparative perspective and arrives at some surprising and encouraging results.

Since unification German society and institutions have been challenged by various transformations and the need to adjust to changing conditions. While much has been accomplished, many political, legal, and institutional problems remain. This volume deals with selected aspects of domestic and European policy, political parties, the challenge of direct democracy, and federalism in unified Germany – all issues that have been the subject of much discussion, political posturing, legislation, and, to some extent, constitutional amendments and court decision for many years, if not decades. In conclusion, a British scholar looks at German federalism and a number of public policy issues from a comparative perspective and arrives at some surprising and encouraging results.

List of Illustrations

Foreword
Jackson Janes

Notes on Contributors

Introduction: German Unification, Public Policy, and Federalism
Arthur B. Gunlicks

Chapter 1. Historical Dimensions of German Statehood: From the Old Reich to the New Germany
Wolf D. Gruner

Chapter 2. On the Misery of the German Financial Constitution
Gisela Färber

Chapter 3. Territorial Reform of the Länder: A Demand of the Basic Law
Uwe Leonardy

Chapter 4. Länder Parliaments in the Federation: Some Remarks on the Division of Powers
Franz Greß

Chapter 5. Germany’s Latent Constitutional Conflict
Werner J. Patzelt

Chapter 6. The Changing Party System and the Challenge of Direct Democracy
Peter Lösche

Chapter 7. Direct Legislation in United Germany
Hermann K. Heußner

Chapter 8. The German System of EU Policymaking and the Role of the Länder: Fragmentation and Partnership
Udo Diedrichs

Chapter 9. German Länder Participation in European Policy through the Bundesrat
Elisabeth Dette-Koch

Chapter 10. Dimensions of Constitutional Change: Germany and the United Kingdom Compared
Charlie Jeffery

Conclusion: Toward an Understanding of German Politics at the Turn of a New Century
Arthur B. Gunlicks

Bibliography
Index