German Public Policy and Federalism: Current Debates on Political, Legal, and Social Issues (Policies & Institutions Germany, Europe, and Transatlantic Relations)

Since unification German society and institutions have been challenged by various transformations and the need to adjust to changing conditions. While much has been accomplished, many political, legal, and institutional problems remain. This volume deals with selected aspects of domestic and European policy, political parties, the challenge of direct democracy, and federalism in unified Germany – all issues that have been the subject of much discussion, political posturing, legislation, and, to some extent, constitutional amendments and court decision for many years, if not decades. In conclusion, a British scholar looks at German federalism and a number of public policy issues from a comparative perspective and arrives at some surprising and encouraging results. Introduction : German Unification, Public Policy, And Federalism / Arthur B. Gunlicks -- Ch. 1. Historical Dimensions Of German Statehood: From The Old Reich To The New Germany / Wolf D. Gruner -- Ch. 2. On The Misery Of The German Financial Constitution / Gisela Farber -- Ch. 3. Territorial Reform Of The Lander: A Demand Of The Basic Law / Uwe Leonardy -- Ch. 4. Lander Parliaments In The Federation: Some Remarks On The Division Of Powers / Franz Breb -- Ch. 5. Germany's Latent Constitutional Conflict / Werner J. Patzelt -- Ch. 6. Changing Party System And The Challenge Of Direct Democracy / Peter Losche -- Ch. 7. Direct Legislation In United Germany / Hermann K. Heubner -- Ch. 8. German System Of Eu Policymakeing And The Role Of The Lander: Fragmentation And Partnership / Elisabeth Dette=koch -- Ch. 10. Dimensions Of Constitutional Change: Germany And The United Kingdom Compared / Charlie Jeffrey. Conclusion: Toward An Understanding Of German Politics At The Turn Of A New Century / Arthur B. Gunlicks. Edited By Arthur B. Gunlicks. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 222-238) And Index. CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS FOREWORD CONTRIBUTORS Introduction GERMAN UNIFICATION, PUBLIC POLICY, AND FEDERALISM Chapter 1 HISTORICAL DIMENSIONS OF GERMAN STATEHOOD From the Old Reich to the New Germany Chapter 2 ON THE MISERY OF THE GERMAN FINANCIAL CONSTITUTION Chapter 3 TERRITORIAL REFORM OF THE LÄNDER A Demand of the Basic Law Chapter 4 LÄNDER PARLIAMENTS IN THE FEDERATION Some Remarks on the Division of Powers Chapter 5 GERMANY’S LATENT CONSTITUTIONAL CONFLICT Chapter 6 THE CHANGING PARTY SYSTEM AND THE CHALLENGE OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY Chapter 7 DIRECT LEGISLATION IN UNITED GERMANY Chapter 8 THE GERMAN SYSTEM OF EU POLICYMAKING AND THE ROLE OF THE LÄNDER Fragmentation and Partnership Chapter 9 GERMAN LÄNDER PARTICIPATION IN EUROPEAN POLICY THROUGH THE BUNDESRAT Chapter 10 DIMENSIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE Germany and the United Kingdom Compared Conclusion TOWARD AN UNDERSTANDING OF GERMAN POLITICS AT THE TURN OF A NEW CENTURY BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX