Political institutions in the Federal Republic of Germany

Book abstract:

This work presents a comprehensive review of the major political institutions in the Federal Republic of Germany for the period from its birth in 1949 to the post-election situation in September 2002.

The book is comprised of seven chapters which cover the structure, functions and logic of those institutions. Chapter one concentrates on the constitutional foundations of the Federal Republic and the essential underpinning of the constitution in the provisions of the Basic Law. The role of the Chancellor Democracy is examined as chapter two explores the structure, role, and institutional context of the executive in the political system. Chapter three addresses the legislature and highlights its structures and political functions. The importance of the power sharing between the Bundestag and the lower house is explored. The author turns in chapter four to examination of the judiciary and the role of the Federal Court of Justice and focuses attention on the unusually powerful role of the judiciary and the law in conflict resolution. Chapter five explores the electoral system, voting behaviour, parties and the party system, organised interest groups, networks between the state and the interest associations, and the political elites both prior to and after unification. The public policy profile of pre- and post-unification Germany and the middle way nature of that policy are the subject of chapter six. The interaction of the various potential veto groups in German political life have perhaps not surprisingly led to the middle-way approach predominating. There is perhaps an understandable reluctance to allow a concentration of power and this aspect is addressed in the concluding chapter.

The work will interest students of German politics, political sciences and those with a wider interest in economics, history and business administration.

Manfred Schmidt is Professor in Political Science at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.