Modern Studies
Comparative Politics:
Resource Guide
Advanced Higher
7779
Autumn 2000
HIGHER STILL
Modern Studies
Comparative Politics:
Resource Guide
Advanced Higher
Support Materials


CONTENTS
Introduction
Books
Politics in the UK
Politics in the USA
Politics in Germany
Videos
CD-ROMs
Useful web site addresses
Notes for overhead transparencies: Germany
Modern Studies: Comparative Politics: Resource Guide (AH)
1
INTRODUCTION
These support materials for Modern Studies were developed as part of the Higher Still
Development Programme in response to needs identified at needs analysis meetings
and national seminars.
Advice on learning and teaching may be found in Achievement for All, (SOEID 1996),
Effective Learning and Teaching in Scottish Secondary Schools: Modern Studies,
(SOED 1992) and in the Modern Studies Subject Guide.
This resource guide provides, for the use of both staff and students, a listing of
sources of information and resources, contact details, an indication of the nature of the
materials provided by each source and, where necessary, a brief note of the potential
use of these materials.
It is recognised that much of the material used in teaching politics is sourced from
newspapers, magazines and electronically so that it is as fresh and up to the minute as
possible. However, some suggestions for useful books and videos have been
included. The information provided on web site addresses and CD-ROMs reflects the
increasing part that information technology (IT) is playing in the learning and
teaching process. As in many other subject areas, learning and teaching in Modern
Studies will be enhanced by use of CD-ROM and the Internet to gather information
and other resource material. There are obvious advantages for staff in being able to
access up-to-date and relevant sources of data and reference materials. For students,
the opportunity to access such materials adds depth to their studies and forms part of
their development of independent study skills. It also provides an important practical
context for developing IT skills.
It is recognised that student access to such facilities is dependent on a number of
factors and may vary from institution to institution. This will affect the way in which
the information in this package is used, which will be determined by individual
teachers and lecturers in the light of circumstances within their own institution.
It would be helpful to remind students of two basic points prior to them using the
Internet:
 although it is possible to print web pages while connected to the Internet, this can
take time and be costly in telephone charges. It is advisable to save pages on to a
disc and print them later, when the computer is no longer connected to the
Internet.

occasionally a site may be unavailable due to a break in the complex links in the
Internet. Do not give up! Try the site again at a later date.
Modern Studies: Comparative Politics: Resource Guide (AH)
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BOOKS
Suggested Book List for the U.K.
British Politics in Focus (2nd Edition), David Roberts (Ed.), 1999,
Causeway Press, PO Box 13, Ormskirk, Lancashire. L395 HP
(ISBN: 1 873929 93 5); £17.95 (available on approval)
Comment:
A first class and comprehensive text which covers all the aspects needed for
Advanced Higher Modern Studies. It is fully updated to include data and analysis of
the 1997 General Election. At the end of each section there are activities. These can
be used as individual exercises or to stimulate class discussion. It is also an
invaluable source for students researching for the Practical Research unit. The
summary boxes at the end of each chapter are of particular use. Suitable for either
student or teacher.
British Politics in Focus Answer Book, (accompanies previous text), 1999
Causeway Press, PO Box 13, Ormskirk, Lancashire. L395 HP
(ISBN: 1 873929 98 6); £35.00 (available on approval)
Comment:
This book contains suggested answers to all the activities in the main text. The
answer book can be photocopied.
The New British Politics, Ivor Crewe et al, 1998
Addison Wesley Longman Ltd; Edinburgh Gate; Harlow; Essex. CM20 2JE
(ISBN: 0582 28925 4); £18.99
Comment:
A useful and comprehensive, if somewhat difficult, text on British politics. Definitely
more suited to teacher use. However it contains useful source material for all parts of
the Advanced Higher course. The following are of particular use:
Part II
Chapter 8
The Prime Minister and Cabinet
Part III
Chapter 12
Pressure groups
Chapter 13/14 The nature and impact of the Mass Media
Chapter 15
Elections and voting
Chapter 16
Political parties and party factions
Part IV
Chapter 17
Party ideologies and political representation
Chapter 18
Parties and Parliament.
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Government and Politics in Britain: An Introduction, John E. Kingdom, 1999
Polity Press, 65 Bridge Street, Cambridge. CB2 1UR
(ISBN: 0 7456 1720 4); £15.99
Comment:
An excellent overview covering most parts of the Advanced Higher course. The
following chapters are of particular use:
Chapter 6
The electoral system
Voting behaviour
Election campaigns
Chapter 8
Inside the parties
Chapter 11
Cabinet and Prime Minister
U.K. Politics Today, Peter Fotheringham, 1998
Pulse Publications, 45 Raith Road, Fenwick, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. KA3 6DB
(ISBN: 0 948 766 48 4); £7.50
Comment:
Commonly used Higher textbook. It forms a useful introductory text for students.
Politics in a Democratic Society, Blee, H., Dalglish, G., McCann, A., McDermid,
A., McGregor, J., McGuire, J., 1998
Imprint Publishing Systems, 8 Braehead Avenue, Milngavie, Glasgow. G62 6DJ
(ISBN: 1 872 035 54 X)
Comment:
Commonly used Higher textbook. It forms a useful introductory text for students.
An Introduction to Politics, P. Joyce, 1999
Hodder & Stoughton, 338 Euston Road, London. NW1 3BH
(ISBN: 034070480); £13.99
Comment:
A detailed guide to politics. Information is expressed and presented in an interesting
way.
The Scottish Political System (4th edn), James G. Kellas, 1989
CUP, The Edinburgh Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge. CB2 2RU
(ISBN: 0521368642); £12.00
Comment:
This is a useful but dated guide to the Scottish political system.
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Politics UK, Bill Jones et al., 2000
Longman, Edinburgh Gate, Harlow, Essex. CM20 2JE
(ISBN: 0 582 42333 3); £19.99
Comment:
This text contains general information and full coverage of New Labour’s first three
years by Dennis Kavanagh.
Investigating Political Sociology, Mark Kirby, 1995
Harper Collins, 77/85 Fulham Palace Road, London. W6 8JB
(ISBN: 0003224058); £8.00
Comment:
This is a very useful text for the research methods part of the course.
How to do Social Research, Audrey Dunsmuir and Lynn Muir, 1998
Harper Collins, 77/85 Fulham Palace Road, London. W6 8JB
(ISBN: 000322242 X); £9.99
Comment:
This is a very useful text for the research methods part of the course.
UK Government and Politics, Andy Williams, 1998
Heinemann Educational Publishers, Halley Court, Jordan Hill, Oxford. OX2 8EJ
(ISBN: 0 435 33158 2); £15.50
Comment:
This is easily read – good layout with key ideas in margin. There are short and essay
type questions at the end of each chapter, which are also highlighted at the start of
each chapter. It has a very good chapter on the Judiciary, Civil Liberties, European
Convention of Human Rights and Bill of Rights. This also is a good textbook for
Higher Politics. It may be found in a school/University library or purchased through a
bookshop.
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Politico’s Guide to Politics on the Internet, Julian White (ed.), 1999
Politico’s Bookstore, 8 Artillery Row, London. SW1P 1RZ
(ISBN: 1 902301 331); £12.99
Tel: 0171 828 0010
Fax: 0171 828 8111
E-mail: politicos@artillery-row.demon.co.uk
Comment:
This publication reviews and classifies over 1000 politics web sites. In general,
Politico’s Bookstore is a very useful source of material. A catalogue is available and
they send all books, videos etc. very promptly.
Newspaper – The Daily Telegraph Sixth Form Offer
Comment:
Free daily copies of the Daily Telegraph from:
Megan Tarlinton,
Marketing Department,
The Daily Telegraph,
1 Canada Square,
Canary Wharf,
London.
E14 5DT
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Suggested Book List for USA
The American Political Process (5th edn), Alan Grant, 1994
Dartmouth Publishing Company, Gower House, Croft Road, Aldershot. GU11 3HR
(ISBN: 1-85521-131-9)
Comment:
This is a solid, if somewhat dry, text on the American political system. The
particularly useful chapters are:
Chapter 5
Pressure group politics;
Chapter 6
Party politics;
Chapter 7
Presidential elections and participation.
American Government, Lowi and Ginsberg, 1996
W.W. Norton & Company, 10 Coptic Street, London. WC1A 1PU
(ISBN: 0393-96863-4); £12.95
Comment:
This is an insightful overview for both staff and pupils covering all aspects of
Government in the U.S.A. Students have found this text fairly user-friendly. It is
particularly useful for the section on the role of the media.
U.S. Government and Politics (Second Edition), Andy Williams, 1998
Heinemann Educational Publishers, Halley Court, Jordan Hill, Oxford. OX2 8EJ
(ISBN: 0-435-33157-4); £14.50 (Discount of 12% on orders over £150)
Comment:
This is a very good text for both staff and students. It is easy to read with clear
explanations. Use this as class text. The following chapters are particularly useful:
Chapter 4
Elections – both presidential and congressional;
Chapter 5
Political parties including the party system, third parties;
Chapter 6
The Presidency;
Chapter 10
Pressure groups.
This text makes regular and useful comparisons with the political system in the U.K.,
which is invaluable when considering comparative questions.
Developments in American Politics: 2, Gillian Peele, 1994
Macmillan Press, Brunel Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hants. RG21 6XS
(ISBN: 0333596536); £13.00
Comment:
This is a comprehensive assessment of American politics and the first part of the
Clinton administration.
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Suggested Book List for Germany
German Politics, 1945 – 1995, Peter Pulzer, 1995
Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP
(ISBN: 0 19 878111 3); £9.99
Comment:
A very readable, user-friendly book on German politics. It could be used as class text.
The following chapters are of particular use:
Chapter 1
This chapter looks at the question “Unified, but not United.” It is an
excellent account of the problems facing Germany since reunification.
Chapter 2
Germany after Potsdam, the new constitution, the importance of the
Lander, the increasing importance of political parties in the new
Federal Republic. This chapter probably contains too much
detail/information for students but is excellent for teacher.
Chapter 5
This chapter looks at the progress, problems and role of the G.D.R.
Chapter 7
Kohl’s early years in German and CDU politics, the collapse of
Communism in Eastern Europe, the opening of the Berlin Wall.
Chapter 8
Germany since Reunification.
Politics in Germany: From Division to Unification, Ian Derbyshire, 1991
Chambers, New Penderel House, 283-288 High Holborn, London. WC1V 7HZ
Comment:
May be used as a class text but it is now out of print with no plans to reprint. The
useful chapters are:
Chapters 13 The Weimar Republic, the new Constitution, the powers and
importance of the Lander, the role of the Political parties in the F.R.G.
Chapter 9
The problems of Integration.
The Germans – Who are they now? Alan Watson, 1994
Mandarin
(ISBN: 0 7493 1743 4); £5.99
Comment:
This is an excellent book for staff and can form the basis for many notes for students.
It is particularly useful in its analysis of the problems facing the Germans since
reunification.
Power Shift in Germany: the 1998 Election and the End of the Kohl Era, David
Conradt, 2000
Berghahn Books Ltd., 3 Newtec Place, Magdalen Road, Oxford. OX4 1RE
(ISBN: 1 57181 200 8); £14.00
Comment:
This text contains a detailed analysis of the 1998 elections.
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OTHER BACKGROUND READING
The following titles were included in the CSYS Modern Studies Bibliography
published by Scottish CCC in 1995 as Curriculum Support Series 21. Some of them
may still form part of the politics section of a department’s library. While many of
the texts are now inevitably dated, they may still be used judiciously and selectively
as sources of useful background information and data.
Britain
British Political Parties, Alan Ball
Macmillan, 1987
Contemporary British Politics and Government, P. J. Cocker
Tudor Business Publishing, 1993
Social Justice: Strategies for National Renewal, Commission for Social Justice
Vintage, 1994
Elections and Voting Behaviour in Britain (2nd edn.), David Denver
Philip Allan, 1994
Developments in British Politics, Book 4, P. Dunleavy et al.
Macmillan, 1993
British Political Parties Today, R. Garner and R. Kelly
Manchester University Press, 1993
The Labour Party since 1945, K. Jefferys
Macmillan, 1993
British Politics Today (5th rev. edn.), Bill Jones and Dennis Kavanagh
Manchester University Press, 1994
Two Decades in British Politics, Bill Jones and Lynton Robins (eds)
Manchester University Press, 1992
The Anatomy of Thatcherism, Shirley Robin Letwin
Fontana, 1992
Changing the British Party System, Lynton Robins
Leicester University Press, 1994
The Labour Party since 1979: Crisis and Transformation, Eric Shaw
Routledge, 1994
The Changing Labour Party, Martin Smith and Joanna Spear
Routledge, 1992
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Third Party Politics since 1945: Liberals, Alliance and Social Democrats, John
Stevenson
Blackwell, 1993
The Labour Party Policy Review: A Strategy for Renewal, G. Taylor
Blackwell, 1994
Long Death of British Labourism, Willie Thompson,
Pluto Press, 1993
The Fall of Margaret Thatcher: A Conservative Coup – a post-election view,
Alan Watkins
Duckworth, 1992
Facts for Socialists, G. Wright (ed)
Fabian Society, 1991
Germany
Local Leadership and Decision Making: A Study of France, Germany, the
United States and Britain, Olivier Borraz
LGC Communications, 1994
The German Polity (5th edn), D. P. Conradt
Longman, 1994
Citizen Politics in Western Democracies: Public Opinion and Political Parties in
the United States, Great Britain, Germany and France, Russell Dalton
Chatham House Publishers (US), 1990
Structure of Political Communication in the United Kingdom, the United States
and the Federal Republic of Germany: A Comparative Study of The Economist,
Time and Der Spiegel, Josef Ernest
P. Lang, 1987
West European Politics: An Introduction to the Politics of the United Kingdom,
France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the Community, M. Hancock
Macmillan, 1992
United Germany and the New Europe, Heinz D. Kurz
E. Elgar, 1993
The Federal Republic of Germany at Forty-five: Union without Unit, Peter H.
Merkl (ed)
Macmillan, 1995
Governing Germany, William Paterson and David Southern
Blackwell, 1991
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Conflicts between Labour and Environmentalism in the Republic of Germany
and the United States, Heinrich Siegmann
Gower Publishing Group Ltd, 1985
Democracy in West Germany: Parties and Politics in the Federal Republic (5th
edn), Gordon Smith
Dartmouth, 1989
Developments in German Politics, Gordon Smith and William Paterson
Macmillan, 1992
Economy of United Germany: Colossus at the Crossroads, W. R. Smyser
C. Hurst, 1992
United Germany: The Past, Politics, Prospects, H. G. Wallach and Ronald A.
Francisco
Praeger, 1992
USA
The Politics of American Discontent: How a New Party can make Democracy
Work Again,
G. S. Black and B. D. Black
John Wiley, 1994
The Government and Politics of the United States, Nigel Bowles
Macmillan, 1993
Elections USA, Philip John Davies
Manchester University Press, 1992
Politics in the United States: From Carter to Bush, Ian Derbyshire
Chambers, 1990
Why Americans Hate Politics, E. J. Dionne
Touchstone US.
The New American Political System, Anthony King (ed)
Macmillan, 1990
American Politics Today, John D. Lees and Richard Maidment
Manchester University Press, 1995
American Politics and Society, David Mackay
Blackwell, 1993
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American Political Parties: The Formation, Decline and Reform of the American
Party System, Dean MacSweeney and John Zvesper
Routledge, 1991
Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns, Sandy Maisel
Westview Publishers (US), 1994
The Decline of American Political Parties, 1952 – 1992, M. Wattenberg
Harvard, 1994
Comparative
Electoral Systems: A Comparative and Theoretical Introduction, A. Reeve and A.
Ware
Routledge, 1992
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VIDEOS
German Giant, Helmut Kohl
Channel: BBC 2
Transmission date: September 12 1998
Duration: 60 minutes
Comment:
Contains news coverage from before and after the 1998 German elections.
Election 97: BBC Election Night Highlights
Channel: BBC
Cost : £15.99
Duration: 75 minutes.
Comment:
Selected clips could be shown to illustrate highlights of this election. Some of the
quotes could be useful for the Practical Research exercise. Could be viewed
individually or in small groups.
Panorama – Tony Blair
Channel: BBC
Transmission date: 3 Oct 1994
Duration: 40 minutes
Comment:
An interview with Tony Blair shortly after becoming leader of the Labour party. This
video outlines his plans for the future.
Kinnock – Part 4 of the series “Kinnock, The Wilderness Years”
Channel: ITV
Transmission date: August 1993
Duration: 50 minutes
Comment:
This is a first class programme highlighting:
 the reason why Labour lost the 1992 election
 the changes made by Kinnock in the organisation, running and policies of the
Labour Party.
This can be useful for pupils researching for the Practical Research unit.
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Bye Bye Blues – Parts 1 and 2
Channel: 4
Transmission date: September / October 1997
Duration: each part is 55 minutes long
Comment:
Programmes contain a detailed look at why the Conservative Party lost the 1997
Election.
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CD-ROM
Election 97 Interactive CD-ROM
Learning and Teaching Scotland, 74 Victoria Crescent Road, Glasgow G12 9JN
Cost: £25
Comment:
This is a useful source for data, issues and analysis of the 1997 Election. This could
be used effectively by pupils researching information for the Practical Research unit.
Scotland’s Independent Newspaper – The Herald on CD-ROM, Archive CD
1997
Learning and Teaching Scotland, 74 Victoria Crescent Road, Glasgow G12 9JN
Cost: £75
Comment:
This is another very useful source of news, photographs and comments about the 1997
election.
Parliament and Government
BBC
(ISBN: 0 5634 6585 9); £9.99
Comment:
Contains comprehensive coverage with sections on:
 Parliament – organisation, procedures, MPs
 Elections
 Political parties
 Executive
 Public opinion – lobbyists, media
 Europe.
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USEFUL WEB SITE ADDRESSES
Government and related sites
www.yahoo.com/government/countries
An index of worldwide government and politics
resources
www.open.gov.uk
CCTA Government Information Service – gives
access to all government departments and all
other public sector bodies
www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk
UK Parliament WWW-server; links to House of
Commons, House of Lords etc
www.number-10.gov.uk/index.html
Number 10 Downing Street – includes the
mission statements of all government departments
and outlines the remits of the cabinet committees
www.coi.gov.uk/coi/depts/deptlist.html
Central Office of Information Internet Services –
a departmental listing of daily press releases, plus
an archive of press releases from the previous
administration
www.parlchan.co.uk/index.html
Parliamentary Channel – includes a weekly
schedule, information on Bills currently before
Parliament and details of public committee
meetings
Scottish Politics
www.theherald.co.uk
The Herald
www.scotsman.com
The Scotsman
www.scottish.parliament.uk/
The Scottish Parliament
www.scotland.gov.uk
The Scottish Executive
www.scottish.labour.co.uk
The Scottish Labour Party
www.snp.org.uk
The Scottish National Party
www.scotlibdems.org.uk
The Scottish Liberal Democrats
www.scottish.tory.org.uk
The Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party
www.clan.com/environment/scotgreenparty
The Scottish Green Party
www.scotsocialistparty.org.uk
The Scottish Socialist Party
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UK Political Parties
www.conservative.org.uk
The Conservative Party
www.labour.org.uk
The Labour Party
www.libdems.org.uk
The Liberal Democrat Party
Newspapers, Magazines, News Channels & News Agencies
www.ft.com
The Financial Times
www.guardian.co.uk
The Guardian and Observer
www.independent.co.uk
The Independent
www.the-times.co.uk
The Times
http://news.bbc.co.uk
BBC news homepage
www.pa.press.net
Press Association (PA) – news and features
plus a round-up of the headlines from the
dailies; updated hourly
www.reuters.com/news
Reuters – the world’s leading news and
financial organisation
www.worldwidenews.com
Search for world-wide newspapers by
country
www.germany-live.de
Germany Live Internet News Service
www.nytimes.com
The New York Times
www.washingtonpost.com
The Washington Post
www.newsweek-int.com
Newsweek
www.pathfinder.com/time
Time
www.cnn.com
CNN
www.lefigaro.fr
Le Figaro
www.lemonde.fr
Le Monde
www.liberation.fr
Liberation
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International Bodies
European Union
http://europa.eu.int
European Union’s server – includes European
Commission, Court of Justice etc
www.europarl.eu.int
European Parliament
http://fgr.wu-wien.ac.at/nentwich/euroint.htm
Comprehensive list of WWW pointers with
regard to sources and information on European
Union affairs
www.euro-emu.co.uk
EmuNet – an excellent site on the single
currency
www.cmutuel.com/cmutueva/index.html
All about the euro
www.eudor.com
European Union Document Repository – online
repository containing the official publications of
the European Institutions
www.cec.org.uk
The European Commission Office in London –
very informative web site; it contains
information more specific to the UK than the
Europa server
www.pitt.edu/-ecsa101
The European Communities Studies Association
(ECSA) in Pittsburgh, USA – an interesting site
with links to research centres and universities;
often very busy
www.cunliffe.demon.co.uk/Politics
Political Resources for the European Union
(PREU) – a comprehensive guide to politics in
the European Union and its member states
Other International Organisations
www.un.org
United Nations Official Homepage – contains information on the
General Assembly and the Security Council, as well as the latest
documents and resolutions etc
www.nato.int
Official site – contains information on the organisation, its members,
SFOR operation, press releases etc
www.oecd.org
Contains information on the history of OECD, its functioning, statistics
etc
www.worldbank.org
The World Bank
www.imf.org
The International Monetary Fund
www.g7.utoronto.ca
University of Toronto G8 Information Centre – contains reports and
analysis of summits, documents etc
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Miscellaneous
www.blpes.lse.ac.uk/blpes
British Library of Political and Economic Science
http://lcweb.loc.gov/homepage/lchp.html
The Library of Congress – documents, photographs,
movies and sound recordings that tell America’s
story
www.mori.com
Opinion pollsters
www.gallup.com
Opinion pollsters
www.amnesty.org.uk
Amnesty International UK
www.greenpeace.org.uk
Greenpeace UK
www.foe.co.uk
Friends of the Earth
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NOTES FOR OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCIES: GERMANY (1999)
These notes might be used to set the scene for students tackling German politics as
part of this unit. It is suggested that they could form a set of overhead transparencies
but they could be used in a variety of formats.
Germany – Historical Background
1815 – Germany as we know it did not exist. Germany consisted of 39 separate states.
1871 – Germany united. System of democracy introduced with universal male
suffrage (votes for all men) but real power concentrated in the hands of the Emperor
and the Prime Minister (Chancellor).
1914-18 – World War 1 and military defeat for Germany.
1918-33 – Weimar Republic: this period was characterised by coalition government,
political instability (15 Chancellors held office in this period) and tremendous
economic problems such as unemployment and high inflation. A system of P.R.
contributed to the political instability.
1933 – Hitler becomes Chancellor.
1939-45 – World War 2 and military defeat for Germany.
1945 – Germany divided into Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and
German Democratic Republic (East Germany).
October 1990 – Germany reunified under leadership of Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
Structure of Government
Chancellor (chosen from the largest party in Bundestag).
Bundesrat (Upper House). 69 Representatives from the Länder (states) chosen from
ruling Länder parties. No real powers.
Bundestag (Lower House). Popular elections; members chosen by PR (additional
member system). Real power is concentrated here. Last elections 1998; next
elections 2002.
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Political Parties in Germany
The political scene in West Germany since the war has been stable and successful;
e.g. only 6 different Chancellors; rapid growth and prosperity. The key ingredient in
all of this was the creation of a strong party state controlled by two sensible, modern
political parties. Political parties in Germany had opposed Hitler before being
outlawed in 1933. The parties, therefore, were given a key role in the democracy
formed in 1945.
West Germany dominated by two major parties: C.D.U. – Christian Democratic
Union; S.P.D. – Social Democratic Party. These two parties individually or in
coalition with minor parties held power for 25 and 13 years, respectively between
1969 and 1990 and governed together between 1966 and 1969. A third party, F.D.P.
– Free Democratic Party, participated in coalition governments with both.
Free Democratic Party (FDP) – Liberals
FDP is the third force in Germany’s three-party state. It constantly holds the balance
of power and despite receiving only 10% or less of the popular vote it has gained
ministerial success and has acted as a moderating force – the middle ground.
Using PR, German elections produce coalitions. Most coalitions involve FDP. The
system tends to encourage consensus between parties and continuity in government.
FDP (liberal democrats) represent a consensus view of politics. The FDP has an
intellectual tradition and in practice they were to find it possible to enter alliances
with both CDU and SPD giving them a role in government out of proportion to their
electoral strength.
All parties in Germany are determined to make the system work. FDP is supported by
middle class; ‘intellectuals’; young.
CDU – Christian Democratic Union
Traditionally supported by: Catholics; rural groups; elderly; Southern Germans.
SPD - Social Democratic Party
Traditionally supported by: industrial workers; urban groups; young.
Both CDU and SPD compete strongly to win the support of the well educated, often
white-collar ‘classless’ voter. This support became crucial in the quest for political
power.
This group is very similar to the C1/C2 groups whose support put John Major in
office in 1992 but who supported Labour in large numbers in 1997. How did they
vote in the German election in late 1998?
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German political parties – their key role in Germany’s success
1. What was introduced in 1959 to give enormous power and influence to political
parties in Germany?
2. COPY:
A key element in ensuring political stability is the 5% rule. This states that parties
must win at least 5% of the popular vote if they wish to gain representation in federal
or state parliaments. This has excluded both left and right wing extremists from
parliament and left power in the hands of the 3 mainstream parties – CDU, SPD, FDP.
Since 1983, the Greens have also been represented in the Bundestag. This rule has
been crucial for the maintenance of the status quo in Germany. However critics argue
that large numbers of votes are automatically wasted by the decision to exclude those
parties which fail to gain 5%. Every other aspect of the electoral system is designed
to maximise the power of the voter.
3. Explain how the Additional Member System (AMS) works in Germany.
4. Advantages of AMS:
 Composition of the Bundestag reflects as closely as possible the balance of the
national vote.
 A close bond is created between elector and delegate.
 Coalitions are formed. These encourage consensus between the parties and
continuity in government. Wild swings in policy are prevented.
German politicians are adamant that the system is the best available. The political
system developed since the war shows how thoroughly they have learned the lessons
of the 1930s/ 40s. They have sought tirelessly to build up and protect their democracy
with a system of checks and balances to prevent any descent into autocracy.
The political parties are all determined to make the system work and they all
recognise that the system works for them. It is a great comfort to politicians to know
that they are unlikely ever to be totally excluded from power. The federal system
virtually ensures that this happens.
Helmut Kohl
Born 1930. Joined CDU 1947. Became Chancellor of West Germany in 1982
(constructive vote of no confidence). Won elections in 1983, 1987, 1990, 1994.
Politicians know their business is one of risk, luck, ups and downs but few seem to
have had their prospect re-appraised as often as Helmut Kohl. At first he was
dismissed as little more than a seasoned party performer who got to the top because,
one by one, his rivals slipped and fell. However, he confounded his critics with his
statesmanship and handling of Germany’s reunification in 1990. After the events of
November 1989, Kohl sensed an opening that was far wider than a hole in the wall.
As others dithered over the ‘problem of Germany’, Kohl pounced. His achievement
in bringing the two Germanys back together after four decades of separation was
rewarded when his CDU party thrashed other parties in the first all German election in
December 1990.
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The media regarded Kohl as a bumbling provincial heavyweight known as Blunder
Kohl. His popularity was enormous at unification but has slumped very severely
since.
As the burden of unification became ever more painful, Germans were hit where it
hurt them most. In the East they lost the one thing they had always had in the past –
their jobs, while in the West it hit them in their pockets.
Taxes were raised, something Kohl had repeatedly promised would not happen. It
became clear that the Government had massively underestimated the economic and
psychological problems of unity. Dissatisfaction focussed on the Chancellor.
His home state Rhineland-Palatinate delivered a personal snub when it abandoned the
CDU in the April 1991 election after 44 years and elected an SPD government. As a
result Kohl lost control of the upper house of parliament – the Bundesrat.
However the media and political rivals have learned that to underestimate either his
intellect or his instinct is a grave error – Kohl bounces back harder with each attack
on his leadership.
What he lacks in flair, Kohl has always made up for in political instinct. Without
flamboyance he based his political reputation on honesty and trust. The image of a
ponderous but reliable plodder has been one of his greatest assets and allowed him to
develop the political style which has kept him at the top.
German Reunification – Potential Difficulties
Tough task to join the 5 states of East Germany to the 11 states of West Germany.
Problems:
1. Different standards of living
The West has enjoyed a far higher standard of living than the East. Wages are higher
and social welfare schemes good. East Germany, as a Communist state, was under
the protection and orders of the Soviet Union. The Communist government decided
on what was to be produced and how it was to be produced. Unemployment was
outlawed/not allowed under the East German constitution. In East Germany, products
were produced even if there was no demand for them, surpluses of goods created, and
poor quality products produced. There was over-manning in industry and lack of
initiative among workers and employers due to the overwhelming role of government.
Therefore, West Germans viewed the East in a very negative light in terms of
economic progress. They realised that much had to change to bring East German
industry in to line with West German industry, and unemployment could not be
avoided.
2. The way the country was run
East Germany was a one party state from 1949 until 1989. It was difficult to protest
in East Germany. The security system in place ensured an ‘atmosphere of fear’
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during the Cold War period. The divided city of Berlin symbolised the fear,
oppression and suspicion created by the Cold War, perhaps best seen in the Berlin
Wall constructed in 1961.
To move a society and its people from this type of system to one governed by the
basic law with all the trappings of democracy was a major challenge and achievement
for the government of Helmut Kohl.
3. Cost of Reunification
This has been far higher than anticipated due to the incredible inefficiency of industry
in the East. There have been serious environmental implications due to this
inefficiency as control of pollution and other environmental issues were never high on
the agenda of the East German Communist government.
4. Unemployment and unrest
Since reunification, unemployment has increased dramatically leading to unrest and
discontent with the government of Helmut Kohl.
5. Rise of Neo-Nazis
Disturbing reports of violent activities forced the cancellation of the Germany v
England football match on April 10, 1994 (anniversary of Hitler’s birthday).
Reasons given for the rise of Neo-Nazism are:
 rising unemployment – currently in excess of 5 million and the government
appears to lack effective measures to deal with this problem.

immigrants getting jobs – especially workers from Turkey who have been
particularly picked on. These Gastarbeiter (guest workers) were essential to the
success of West Germany’s economic miracle.
6. High Expectations
Expectations of success and continued wealth have been sky high in Germany. It is
impossible to unite two very differing countries without some hardship. Government
has had to deal with these high expectations.
7. World Reaction
There was unease among some Europeans about reunification. For many people the
history of a united Germany was the history of two world wars. The ‘older’
generation may have felt this more strongly. There was possibly some concern in
Germany’s neighbours as they had suffered in the past e.g. France.
Gastarbeiter (Guest worker)
Throughout the 1980s millions of foreign workers, mainly from Turkey, continued to
work in West German industry. Their presence, although resented by the extremist
right, did not alarm most Germans. Of more concern was the continuing flow of
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political refugees (asylum seekers) many of whom were economic refugees from
depressed parts of the world.
The early 1990s have seen a vast increase in the numbers entering Germany.
Estimates suggest that in 1991 and 1992 between 1.1 and 1.5 million immigrants
entered Germany each year, joining the 4.5 million guest workers already there.
These figures could be much higher as there are also many illegal immigrants entering
Germany.
In 1992, for example, 433,000 people applied for political asylum. Another 230,565
people crossed Germany’s borders. These were ethnic Germans from former USSR
(195,000), from Poland (17,000), and from Rumania (16,000).
This enormous influx makes the problems of unemployment and social welfare
cutbacks coupled with rising taxation more difficult. They have created uncertainty
and resentment.
Unemployment and immigration are thought to be the seeds of neo-Nazi and
xenophobic growth in Germany.
The former East Germany has been fertile ground for this increase in neo-Nazism.
Unemployment and hardship is worse in the East as is resentment against foreign
workers.
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