2008/09/01 by Kimmo Elo · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Populism, Right-Wing Movements #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #German legal, social, and political studies
paper · doi:10.3167/gps.2008.260303
openalex publication_date 2008/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
In mainstream analyses of the German political system, the emergence of the Left Party (Die Linke) is presented as an unexpected consequence of German unification and as an indication of the existence of an East-West divide. This view is for the most part based on the idea that German unification is a process of political integration of the East into the West. Such an understanding, however, downplays the long-term developments in the German party system. This article examines the emergence of the Left Party in light of both the long-term developmental tendencies of the German party system and findings from comparative studies among other West European countries. The article concludes that the main reason for the current political stalemate is the incapability of the postwar Volksparteien to respond to changes in political space and action. Based on evidence from comparative studies, the article also suggests a pragmatic rethinking especially in the SPD is necessary in dealings with the Left Party.