A comprehensive, accessible, and authoritative account of the party systems of modern Germany, this book covers the period from 1945 to the present.

Party Politics in Germany is the only English-language study of its kind and examines the phenomenon of party politics in the Federal Republic through comparison across time and space. It draws upon new data from the 2002 Federal elections and recent Land elections, as well as on a far more explicitly comparative literature than is generally found in single-country studies. The book not only sheds new light on political phenomena in Germany but also allows students of the comparative method to apply some of the key concepts, models and approaches with which they are familiar to the rich context of a single country study.

"The political success of the German Green Party during the 1980s spearheaded the 'green wave' in other West European democracies. Indeed, despite their defeat in 1990, the Greens still hold the balance of power in several Land parliaments and stand a good chance of making a comeback in the 1994 Bundestag elections." "This book is the first comprehensive account of the organisation ideology and political style of the German Greens. Comparing them to established parties, the book gives a full account of the German party system, and assesses the adaptability of both types of party to a changing social and political environment in the new Europe. It examines intra-party political culture, the social profiles of voters and party activists, and the party's place in the context of the 'New Politics'. A challenging read suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduates studying the West European political system."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

A detailed study of the party system and politics of both East and West Germany after World War II, and in united Germany since 1990. The author describes the central decision-making and stabilizing role which the parties have played, and continue to play.

In the final analysis this volume shows that German political parties, in "dealing with the problems of integration and legitimation," reveal the "incompleteness of German unification amidst continuing Europeanization" (from the Introduction)."--BOOK JACKET.

The study of German electoral politics has been neglected of late, despite being one of the most pervasive elements of the German political process. Geoffrey Roberts exciting new book argues that concentration on electoral politics facilitates deeper understanding and appreciation of German political system. It provides explanations and analysis of the federal electoral system, its evolution and the challenges which have been made to its format; discusses the role of electoral politics in relation to political parties It goes on to evaluate the effectiveness of the German electoral system in relation to its functions, and challenges the premise that electoral politics makes a difference in Germany. Ultimately the book aims to reconcile the apparently limited role which elections have in determining the composition of governments with the notion that there is a "permanent election campaign" in existence in German politics.