Consolidated Democracies: Germany

936-1870 there were various principalities run by different nobles [v. Britain—growing in industrial strength, becoming democratic] which resulted in much fragmentation

This is when Germany became unified by emperor von Bismark and took its shape

A good job catching up, its economy became perhaps more powerful than Britain. It’s hard to have a democracy as a late industrializer [v. other countries developed their economy privately, were first so they didn’t have to compete] because the state has to be involved in developing the economy (if you have a government controlling a lot of resources/moneyàthey can fund a military police). Also changing social structure: agrarian societyàfactories—working and middle class created

1914-18 the kaiser invaded Europe (with a plan to after invade U.S.), it took the U.S. and European allies to defeat it. Germany surrendered and paid reparations (a lot of money), they had to give back their colonies (in Africa, etc.), had to give back 2 provinces between Germany and France (to France). They also formed a new government.

The elites drafted a constitution to become a very open democratic system (parliamentary) to avoid another situation like the past: a party only needed 2% popular vote to have a seat in Parliament = a lot of representation. There were many people suffering from WWI, who were angry, and they found representation in the government. This was also during the Great Depression (1929)—high unemployment, unhappy peopleà they joined extremist parties

The Weimar system gave Hitler a platform through which his party gained power. Those who were bankrupt supported him, he had charismatic authority. He revived the economy (most powerful in Europe, then and now). Authoritarianism + Racism (racial hierarchy, Aryan race at the top) + Extreme nationalism + Paranoia (blamed Jews for all wrongs). His followers preached social Darwinism, that only the strong should breed.

USSR controlled the East, Allies controlled the West—parliamentary government with constitutional democracy/capitalism (became wealthy)

After the Berlin wall fell—so far Germany has been a good world citizen. East Germany being poor, affected the economy. Currency reform pulled up the east (although pulled down the west as well). West Germany had to invest a lot ($1.5 trillion) to bring East Germany back to par.

Lower & upper house (respectively) of Parliament, based on the regions. Chancellor (like the Prime minister) and President (like the British monarch, elected but with little real power—has symbolic power). Independent judiciary (like our USSC). Vote—personalized proportional representation: very complicated, tries to prevent lack of representation as well as abuse of power, using a combination of single district voting (for Bundestag) and proportional representation of various parties. Party needs 5% popular vote to attain a seat in the lower house

Started in late 1940s, called Christian to balance the large populations of Catholics and Protestants, ideologically center/leaning to the right, support business and productivity, wanted to join EU—support from businessmen, Catholics, older voters, people in smaller cities, and some members of labor

Started in early 1900s, oriented towards Marxism, persecuted by Hitler, by late 1950s dropped extreme leftism and became more moderate, center/leaning to the left, want economic growth and social welfare programs, supports gender equality, favor tax cuts to help the lower classes, help employment problems, they think about vulnerable people, women’s rights, environmentalism—support from young people, urban, union members, Protestants

(small party) pro-business, tends to be left wing on foreign policy, right wing on domestic issues—support from Protestants, middle class, farmers

Environmental rights, started late 1970s, tend to form coalitions with SPD—support from students and intellectuals

Newest party, made up of those who used to be in SPD and those who supported the old Communist party in East Germany, they care about making sure people at the bottom are taken care of (unemployment), oppose budget cuts especially those that affect social welfare programs

Chancellor—authority lies with him, selected by Bundestag (Germany’s chief exec.) and president (symbolic head of state). Chancellor selects policy agenda, appoints and removes (on rare occasion) cabinet ministers, is the head of his or her party, tries to shape public opinion. President is selected separately for a 5 year term by an electoral college made from people of Parliament (on local and state level), limited to 2 terms in office, is very highly respected, he or she signs bills passed by Parliament, dissolves the Bundestag prior to new elections