Completely updated, this comprehensive yet concise introduction to modern German politics emphasizes the structural and attitudinal changes that have taken place over the past half-century, as well as the policy problems facing the Germany today. The Eighth Edition features a new focus on the causes and consequences of Germany?s economic crisis. Once a model of economic dynamism and the envy of its neighbors, Germany?s economic growth rate is now among Europe?s lowest. It also examines German-American relations post-9/11 and since the Iraq war.

1. The Historical Setting. The First Reich. The Rise of Prussia. The Empire (1871-1918). World War I and the Collapse of the Second Reich. The Weimar Republic (1919-1933). The Nazi Third Reich and World War II. Foreign Occupation and National Division. The Formation of the Federal Republic. 2. Putting Germany Back Together Again: Unification and Its Aftermath. Building Socialism: 1949-1961. After the Wall-Stability and Consolidation: 1961-1970. The Honecker Era: 1971-1985. Perestroika and the Crisis of the Regime: 1985-1989. The "Great Escape" and the Collapse of Communism. The Unification Process. The Aftermath of Unification. 3. The Social and Economic Setting. Area and Population. Urbanization and Industrialization. The Rural Sector. Regionalism. Occupational and Class Structure. The Economy. Religious Composition. Age and Family Structure. The Educational System. Mass Media. 4. Political Culture, Participation, and Civil Liberties. Political Values. Democratic Support in East Germany. Political Interest and Involvement. Civil Liberties and Human Rights. The Status and Role of Key Social Groups. 5. The Party System and The Representation Of Interests. The Party State. The Party System. The Christian Democrats. The Social Democrats. The Free Democrats. The Greens. The Party of Democratic Socialism/Left List (PDS/LL). The Representation of Interests. Extent of Interest Groups. Major Interest Alignments. The Churches. 6. Elections and Voting Behavior. Electoral Mechanics. The Electoral System. Nomination and Candidate Selection. Electoral Politics and Campaign Styles. Campaign and Party Finance. The Pattern of Federal Elections, 1949-1998. Basic Orientations of the Electorate. Determinants of Voting Behavior. Voter Dynamics. 7. Policymaking Institutions I: Parliament and Executive. Legislative Institutions. The Bundestag: The Main Political Battleground. The Bundesrat: The "Quiet" Second Chamber. Executive Institutions: Chancellor and Cabinet. Chancellor Democracy. The Federal President. Summary of the Formal Lawmaking Process. Preparliamentary Stage. Parliamentary Stage. 8. Policymaking Institutions II: Administration, Semipublic Institutions, and Courts. Development of the German Administrative and Judicial System. State Administration. Semipublic Institutions. The Judiciary and the Court System. 9. Subnational Units: Federalism and Local Government. The Development of German Federalism. State-Level Politics. The Constitutional Structure of the States. The Future of Federalism. Local Government. The Urban Crisis, German-Style. 10. Conclusion: The Unified German Polity Faces the Future. A New Constitution and a New State? Policy Issues and Processes: Trends and Prospects. Germany's New International Role. The German Experience and Political Development. Appendix: The Basic Law of the Federal Republic. Bibliography. Index.