West Germany (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

This book, originally published in 1981, provides the student and general reader alike with a fascinating account of the dynamic re-emergence of Germany after the Second World War as one of the world’s leading and most powerful states. The book gives extensive coverage to all aspects of the former West Germany’s political, social and economic arrangements. As well as dealing with the Basic Law, political parties, Bundestag and government, it also discusses neglected subjects, such as education, the armed forces, welfare services, the role of women, the economy and industrial relations and the mass media.




Christian Democracy in Western Germany (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

This important study analyses the developoment of the CDU/CSU as a political force in West Germany from the Second World War to the late 1970s, with special reference to its role both in Government (1949-69) and Opposition (1969-76) and considers how it was instrumental in the formulation of governmental policies. The first part of the book looks at the development of the CDU/CSU. The second part focuses on its composition and structure and considers such aspects as its organisation, membership, auxiliary organisations and electoral appeal and campaigns. A separate chapter deals with the CSU’s relationship with the CDU, its leadership and its organisation.




Parties, Opposition and Society in West Germany (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

In this volume, originally published in 1984, the author examines the social composition of the electorate, of membership and leadership of West German political parties, as well as their representation and finances. Kolinsky argues that while affiliation and electorates remained distinct, the social composition of party organisations became narrower and more uniform. The book examines how the parties became alienated from contemporary West German society and discusses the difficulties experienced by opposition parties in trying to develop alternative strategies, in particular those of the Green Party.




West Germany Today (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

This authoritative study, written by experts in their fields and originally published in 1989, provides a comprehensive introduction to aspects of West German society, politics and economics. Individual chapters investigate West German politics, education, industrial relations, the media and the relations between the two German states.




Honecker's Germany (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

Picking up many of themes of David Childs’ earlier book, The GDR: Moscow’s German Ally, this book discusses the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1971 until the mid 1980s. Written at a time when the GDR was one of the most modern and successful socialist states, with a growing importance within the socialist bloc and the global stage, this books examined a number of important topics such as GDR relations with the USSR and the USA, the GDR Navy, the church in the GDR and the economy of the GDR.




The Federal Republic of Germany and the European Community (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

Originally published in 1987, this book examines German governmental policy from 1969-1986 and explains this in terms of the political, economic and administrative dynamics of the (then) Federal Republic. The study includes analysis of the attitudes and the role of West German interest groups, political parties, public opinion, the legislature and the federal states regarding European policy. The book is based on extensive interviews as well as the authors’ familiarity with the institutions and key players involved. It will appeal to students of German politics, the EU and international relations.




Germany in the Twentieth Century (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

The book traces the development of Germany from the Kaiser’s Reich in the 1870s to the reunited democratic state led by Helmut Kohl in the 1990s. The author begins by countering the popular view of Germany before 1914 as irredeemably reactionary, and after assessing Germany’s part in the First World War, he outlines the rise and fall of the Weimar Republic. The 12 years of Hitler’s destructive experiment are presented in a balanced way as part of the overall development of the country. Germany in defeat is then discussed, as is heer rebirth under Four Power occupation. The last chapters explore the two separate German states and the events leading up to the restoration of German unity.




Political Culture in France and Germany (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

This book, originally published in 1991, assesses how attitudes, political orientations and social values changed during the five decades after the Second World War. The case studies in the book focus on key ‘sites’ in political culture: in France, on the extreme right, the cinema, the impact of media personalities and changes of political discourse; in Germany, on the decline of regional identities, the emergence of specific issues and the concern of political parties with the effectiveness of language. This interdisciplinary study provides new insights into the way French and German people see themselves.




The GDR (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

Widely praised in its first edition, the second edition of The GDR was updated to cover events through the spring of 1988, examining in particular the impact of new leadership in both Bonn and Moscow and of the changing world economy on the prospects of the GDR.




Germany Today (RLE: German Politics)


Book Description

This book, originally published in 1971, provides clear analysis of German affairs at the end of the 1960s. Without neglecting the historical dimension of recent developments, it examines some of the problems the German people faced in the post-war years. Written by experts, but nonethless in an accessible style the essays in this book give an insight into the methods of particular disciplines such as history, economics, politics or sociology whilst offering an introduction to many aspects of German life.