World War II and German Politics

Germany - Seventh Lecture

The Nazi dictatorship took over Germany in the 1930s, a regime characterized by totalitarian rule and marked by aggressive expansionism that sought to assert dominance over Europe. This period was defined by systematic persecution, particularly of Jews and other minorities, leading to widespread human rights abuses.
Germany was ultimately defeated in World War II in 1945, a conflict that had devastating effects not only on Germany but on the entire continent. Following the defeat, the country was occupied by the victorious Allies, leading to significant geopolitical changes.
Western Germany, which was occupied by the United States, Britain, and France, eventually evolved into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), with Bonn designated as its capital. The western zone focused on rebuilding and became a symbol of economic recovery and democratic governance in Europe.
Eastern Germany, under the influence of the former Soviet Union, was reorganized into the German Democratic Republic (GDR), with East Berlin serving as its capital. This regime was characterized by a command economy and heavy state control, significantly impacting the lives of its citizens.
West Germany emerged as a leading European industrial power during the post-war era, driven by the implementation of the Marshall Plan and a strong focus on economic recovery. It became a founding member of the European Economic Community (EEC), which laid the groundwork for what we now know as the European Union (EU).
The political and economic climate in East Germany was starkly different, as it remained firmly under Soviet domination and adhered to socialist principles, creating a significant disparity between the two German states.
Germany achieved reunification on October 3, 1990, marking the end of the division that had lasted for nearly half a century and ushering in a new chapter in German and European history.

German Government

The Federal Republic of Germany operates as a federal parliamentary republic, a system that emphasizes the principles of representative democracy. This framework allows various regional states significant autonomy while maintaining a unified national government.
The head of government is the Chancellor, who plays a vital role in shaping policies and overseeing the federal government’s operations, generally becoming the face of the country's administration.
The President of Germany holds a predominantly ceremonial position as the head of state, embodying the unity of the nation and exercising certain reserve powers, particularly in times of political crisis.
Executive power is held by the federal cabinet, composed of ministers who head various governmental departments, and this cabinet is collectively responsible for implementing laws and policies.
Legislative power is divided between two main bodies: the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. This bicameral system ensures a balance of representation both for the citizens and the federal states.
Germany's political landscape is shaped by several major political parties, including the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), along with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Green Party, each representing a diverse set of ideologies and interests.

Federal Legislative

Legislative power is primarily divided between the Bundestag, the lower house, and the Bundesrat, the upper house. This division allows for a multi-faceted approach to lawmaking and governance.
The Bundestag is directly elected by the German populace, ensuring that it reflects the democratic will of the people through regular elections.
The Bundesrat represents the interests of the federal states (Länder), with representation based on the population size of each state, ensuring that regional voices are heard in the national legislative process.
In the legislative hierarchy, the Bundestag holds greater power than the Bundesrat and generally requires only the Bundesrat's consent for certain critical legislative matters, especially those concerning federal taxation and budgetary issues.
The Bundestag was established in 1949, and its members are elected for a four-year term through a system of personalized proportional representation that aims to balance the interests of various political parties.
Members of the Bundestag are elected through general, direct, free, equal, and secret elections. This process promotes inclusivity and equal representation among all eligible voters in Germany.
Any individual who has reached the age of 18 is eligible to vote, while candidates running for election must be of at least the age of majority, thereby engaging the electorate in the democratic process.

Executive Branch

The head of state is represented by the President of Germany, whose role is largely ceremonial, conducting public engagements and representing the nation both domestically and internationally.
The President's responsibilities primarily include fulfilling diplomatic duties, attending state functions, and ensuring that the democratic process is upheld within the federal system.
All federal laws must be signed by the President before they come into effect, which serves as a formal affirmation of the legislative process, although this role is largely procedural in practice.
The President possesses the authority to veto laws that are believed to infringe upon constitutional principles, acting as a guardian of the constitution.
The head of government is the Federal Chancellor, who is elected by the members of the Bundestag and is responsible for steering the government’s policy direction and overseeing the executive branch’s day-to-day operations.
The Chancellor enjoys a degree of stability in office, as they cannot be removed during their four-year term except under specific circumstances where the Bundestag can invoke a constructive vote of no confidence, ultimately requiring agreement on a successor.

Judicial Branch

The judiciary in Germany operates independently from other branches of government, which is a fundamental principle aimed at maintaining fairness and impartiality in legal proceedings.
The court system in Germany is well structured, with a strong emphasis on judicial review, ensuring that almost all actions taken by the state can be scrutinized by the courts for legality and constitutionality.
The German Constitutional Court is a pivotal institution that oversees matters related to constitutional rights, protects individual freedoms, and adjudicates on disputes between various branches of government.
This Constitutional Court has the authority to intervene when political parties' objectives contravene the constitutional order, upholding democratic values and protecting the integrity of the political system.
Germany's judicial framework consists of a variety of court types, including ordinary courts which handle criminal and civil cases, specialized courts focusing on specific areas such as administrative, labor, social, fiscal, and patent law, alongside constitutional courts tasked with judicial review and interpretation of constitutional matters.

Germany Constitution

Article 1 of the German Constitution emphasizes the inviolability of human dignity, establishing a foundational principle that all state authorities are obligated to respect and protect, highlighting the importance of human rights at the core of the legal framework.
Article 9 guarantees the freedom of association, ensuring that individuals can form and join groups freely, although it also stipulates that associations promoting aims that contradict the law or constitutional order may be prohibited, balancing individual freedoms with public order.
Article 20 declares the Federal Republic of Germany as a democratic and social federal state, reinforcing the notion that all governmental authority is derived from and exercised on behalf of the populace through democratic elections, thereby reaffirming the legitimacy of the state.

Foreign Relations

Germany is a prominent member of various international organizations, including NATO, which underscores its role in collective security, the OECD, G8, G20, the World Bank, IMF, and the European Union, reflecting its commitment to multilateralism and cooperative governance.
As a major contributor to the European Union budget, Germany provides approximately 27% of the total budget, illustrating its economic significance within the EU framework and its influence on European policy-making.
Germany also stands as one of the top three largest contributors to the United Nations budget, contributing around 8%, which demonstrates its dedication to global stability, humanitarian efforts, and international cooperation.