ReviewsOn the first edition: "Roberts offers a lucid, balanced, reliable, and informative guide to the German political system, analysing its historical origins, its evolution over a period of fifty years, and not least its successful adjustment in the 1990s to the challenges of reunification. As a textbook for students who require a systematic, succinct and focused approach to the main features of contemporary Germany's widely admired democratic system this scholarly volume is certain to find many grateful readers."--Ian Wallace, University of Bath, On the first edition:"Roberts offers a lucid, balanced, reliable, and informative guide to the German political system, analysing its historical origins, its evolution over a period of fifty years, and not least its successful adjustment in the 1990s to the challenges of reunification. As a textbook for students who require a systematic, succinct and focused approach to the main features of contemporary Germany's widely admired democratic system this scholarly volume is certain to find many grateful readers."--Ian Wallace, University of Bath
Edition DescriptionRevised edition
Table Of ContentPreface Abbreviations Glossary 1. The creation of present-day Germany 2. The context of politics in reunified Germany 3. The development of the political system of the Federal Republic 4. The electoral system and electoral politics 5. The party-state 6. The federal structure 7. Chancellor democracy 8. Parliamentary politics 9. Interest group politics 10. Germany and Europe 11. Germany: a 'normal' democracy? Index
SynopsisThis revised and updated edition of German politics today provides students with a comprehensive study of the modern German political system, set in the context of its historical development, including the reunification of Germany and the important developments which have taken place since the formation of the 'grand coalition' government in 2005., This revised and updated edition provides the reader with a comprehensive description and analysis of the institutions of the German political system. The historical development of German politics is surveyed, and special attention is given to the causes, course and consequences of German reunification. Where more detailed explanations of special topics are required, such as surplus seats in the electoral system, or the political career of Chancellor Merkel, these are provided in boxes set within the relevant chapters. Some information is provided in tabular form, such as the list of federal chancellors and federal presidents, the membership of trade unions, or election results. Appendices contain examples of important constitutional court cases, plus a survey of the political features of the sixteen L nder which make up the federal structure of the state. Each chapter offers suggestions for further reading. Accessibly written, with suggestions for further reading, this book offers a sound basis for all undergraduate courses focused on, or including, study of the German political system. The author's familiarity with all aspects of the German political system is evident from the authority with which he explains the structures and processes which form the basis of German politics., This revised and updated edition of German politics today provides students with a comprehensive study of the modern German political system, set in the context of its historical development, including the reunification of Germany and the important developments which have taken place since the formation of the 'grand coalition' government in 2005. -- ., This revised and updated edition provides the reader with a comprehensive description and analysis of the institutions of the German political system. The historical development of German politics is surveyed, and special attention is given to the causes, course and consequences of German reunification. Where more detailed explanations of special topics are required, such as surplus seats in the electoral system, or the political career of Chancellor Merkel, these are provided in boxes set within the relevant chapters. Some information is provided in tabular form, such as the list of federal chancellors and federal presidents, the membership of trade unions, or election results. Appendices contain examples of important constitutional court cases, plus a survey of the political features of the sixteen Länder which make up the federal structure of the state. Each chapter offers suggestions for further reading. Accessibly written, with suggestions for further reading, this book offers a sound basis for all undergraduate courses focused on, or including, study of the German political system. The author's familiarity with all aspects of the German political system is evident from the authority with which he explains the structures and processes which form the basis of German politics., This revised and updated edition of German politics today provides students with a comprehensive study of the modern German political system, set in the context of its historical development, including the reunification of Germany and the important developments which have taken place since the formation of the grand coalition' government in 2005.