Between Bonn and Berlin: German Politics Adrift?

by Mary N. Hampton, Christian Söe, Gerard Braunthal, Clay Clemens, Irwin Collier

Overview

As Germany returns its national government from Bonn to Berlin, the country's politics have become more uncertain than at any time since World War II. Since unification there has been an ongoing debate, both inside and outside Germany, concerning its power, intentions, identity, and domestic structure. Examining the country's image of political drift, the authors focus on current debates regarding Germany's welfare state, European monetary policy, security policy, warnings about a supposed 'German hegemony' in Europe, symbolic or geopolitical implications of the return to Berlin, and new complexities in party politics and public opinion. The authors also question recent analyses that suggest the direction of German politics is either one of overall 'continuity' or fundamental 'transformation.' Although there is far more similarity between the Berlin Republic and its West German predecessor than there ever could have been between 'Weimar' and 'Bonn,' the authors also show that united Germany is in many ways more than an enlarged version of its successful forerunner. Intended for both specialists and generalists, this timely volume will be especially valuable for students of comparative and international politics who wish to understand the new Germany in its European and international context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780847690091
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/28/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	5.84(w) x 8.94(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Mary N. Hampton is associate professor of political science at the University of Utah. Christian Sse is professor of political science, California State University, Long Beach.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: Toward a Berlin Republic Part 2 Part I: Public Opinion and Political Parties Chapter 3 Where is Germany Heading? A Public Perspective, 1990–1998 Chapter 4 The CDU/CSU: Undercurrents in an Ebb Tide Chapter 5 The SPD: Between Political Drift and Direction Chapter 6 Alliance 90/The Greens: Party of Ecological and Social Reform Chapter 7 The FDP: Do the Liberals Still Matter? Chapter 8 The PDS: Between Socialism and Regionalism Chapter 9 The Right-Wing Scene: A Danger to Democracy? Part 10 Part II: Public Policy Quandaries Chapter 11 The German Economy: Shocks to the System Chapter 12 Welfare State Reform: The Gridlock of Social Entitlements Chapter 13 Germany and European Integration: Bonn Between Berlin and Brussels Chapter 14 German Security at the Crossroads Chapter 15 Less than Meets the Eye: A Reconsideration of German Hegemony Chapter 16 Bibliography Chapter 17 Chapter

Editorial Reviews

It is a suuperior example of the type, providing useful and insightful perspectives on current German politics. Recommended at all levels.

Choice Reviews

An impressive collection of thoughtful assessments of modern German politics by fourteen U.S. and German scholars. This well-edited and indexed collection uses the return of the German capital to Berlin from Bonn as a point of departure for examining continuity and change in both German domestic and foreign policies. This book is useful for all levels of scholars interested in German affairs and offers an excellent format for periodic updates and new editions.

German Studies Review

A timely and thoughtful book about the new Germany. Because Germany in many ways seems to be stuck and unable to reform itself, this set of excellent and provocative essays about major domestic and foreign policy issues should be read by all German policymakers. A first-class publication.

Christian Hacke

It is a suuperior example of the type, providing useful and insightful perspectives on current German politics. Recommended at all levels.

Choice

It is a suuperior example of the type, providing useful and insightful perspectives on current German politics. Recommended at all levels.

CHOICE