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

This practical introduction to German politics from 1945 has summaries of key points, a guide to further reading and a range of seminar questions for discussion.

"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

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 Politics of the New Germany takes a new approach to understanding politics in the post-unification Federal Republic. Assuming only elementary knowledge, it focuses on debates and issues in order to help students understand both the workings of Germany's key institutions and some of the key policy challenges facing German politicians." "Each of the chapters draws on a rich variety of real-world examples. In doing so, it highlights both the challenges and opportunities facing policy-makers in such areas as foreign affairs, economic policy, immigration, identity politics and institutional reform. The book also takes a bird's-eye view of the big debates that have defined German politics over time, regardless of which political parties happened to be in power. It pinpoints three key themes that have characterised German politics over the last sixty years; reconciliation, consensus and transformation." "Dan Hough is Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Sussex." "Alister Miskimmon is Lecturer in European Politics and International Relations and Director of European Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London." "Graham Timmins is Professor of Politics at the University of Stirling.