The Routledge Handbook of German Politics & Culture (Routledge Handbooks)

"The Routledge Handbook of German Politics and Culture offers a wide-ranging and authoritative account of Germany in the 21st century. It gathers the expertise of internationally leading scholars of German culture, politics, and society to explore and explain - historical pathways to contemporary Germany - the current 'Berlin Republic' - society and diversity - Germany and Europe - Germany and the world. This is an essential resource for students, researchers, and all those looking to understand contemporary German politics and culture"-- ǂc Provided by publisher.;Pathways to contemporary Germany -- The Berlin Republic -- Society and diversity -- Germany and Europe -- Germany and the world. Every person aspires to a good life. But what does "a good or a better life" mean? This report looks at the most important aspects that shape people's lives and well-being: income, jobs, housing, health, work and life-balance, education, social connections, civic engagement and governance, environment, personal security and subjective well-being. It paints a comprehensive picture of well-being in OECD countries and other major economies, by looking at people's material living conditions and quality of life across the population. The report responds to the needs of citizens for better information on well-being and to the needs of policy makers to give a more accurate picture of societal progress. The report finds that well-being has increased on average over the past fifteen years: people are richer and more likely to be employed; they enjoy better housing conditions and are exposed to lower air pollution; they live longer and are more educated; they are also exposed to fewer crimes. But differences across countries are large. Furthermore, some groups of the population, particularly less educated and low-income people, tend to fare systematically worse in all dimensions of well-being considered in this report. For instance they live shorter lives and report greater health problems; their children obtain worse school results; they participate less in political activities; they can rely on lower social networks in case of needs; they are more exposed to crime and pollution; they tend to be less satisfied with their life as a whole than more educated and higher-income people This OECD Environmental Performance Review provides an independent assessment of Germany's progress in achieving domestic and international environmental policy commitments, together with policy relevant recommendations. It has been conducted to promote peer learning, to enhance countries' accountability to each other and to the public, and to improve governments' environmental performance, individually and collectively. These Reviews are supported by a broad range of economic and environmental data. Each cycle of the Environmental Performance Reviews covers all OECD member countries and selec The 'Routledge Handbook of German Politics & Culture' provides a comprehensive account of Germany in the 21st Century. Featuring contributions from many of the leading scholars of German politics & society, the Handbook features over 30 chapters which are organized to provide unparalleled analysis of this complex and fascinating subject. The main subjects covered in each of the main sections include:01. Pathways to the New Germany02. The Berlin Republic03. Society and diversity04. Germany and Europe05. Germany and the World0