German Politics: From Unification to Wilhelmine Era
German Politics Since Unification
The Social Democrats, led by Schröder and in government since 1998 in coalition with the Greens, began the year 2000 with a stable government and their long-time adversaries weakened. However, the unified Germany faced challenges, including attacks on immigrants and military involvement in conflict zones, leading to comparisons with Hitler’s Germany. The ruling coalition between the SPD and the Greens faced internal conflicts regarding social, environmental, and military policies. Economic problems, especially unemployment, were severe in 2001. The rise of the post-communist Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) opened another avenue for SPD collaboration, criticized by the CDU-CSU. Partnerships with smaller parties like the FDP, Greens, and PDS will likely determine future governance. The shared essential lines of German policy between the CDU and SPD contribute to high voter volatility, increasing the probability of one force replacing the other in government. The executive’s replacement will depend on the economic situation and the opposition’s errors.
Key Phases of German Politics Since 1871
Four significant periods in German political history since its founding in 1871 can be identified:
- The Obrigkeistaat Wilhelmine, the authoritarian Prussian State (1871-1918)
- The Weimar Republic (1918-1933)
- The National Socialist Third Reich (1933-1945)
- The Divided Germany (1945-1989)
A unified Germany (1990 onwards) can be added as a new phase.
The Wilhelmine Era (1871-1918)
From the Congress of Vienna in 1815, German politics operated through the German Confederation, led by Austria, Prussia, and 37 smaller states under the influence of the great powers. Prussia gradually gained economic and military strength, subordinating Austria to its interests. After conflicts, Prussia led the unification in 1866, creating the North German Confederation and excluding Austria. In 1870, Bismarck’s policy of “blood and iron” led to the Franco-Prussian War. The Prussian victory resulted in the North German Confederation joining the Southern States. On January 18, 1871, William I, King of Prussia, was proclaimed Emperor of Germany, marking the beginning of the Second German Empire.
During the Wilhelmine period, Germany functioned as an authoritarian state, a non-parliamentary constitutional monarchy with power concentrated in the Emperor and the Imperial Chancellor. This was a personal regime. The Empire was a federal state, but member states retained powers like external representation. Although the Emperor and Chancellor managed the nation, sovereignty resided in the Bundesrat (Federal Council). The Chancellor held significant power and directed national policy. The Bundesrat’s composition was proportional to area, and although Prussia lacked a majority (17 out of 58 votes), alliances against it were uncommon. Prussia’s 14 votes could block constitutional reform. In conclusion, the federal character was largely formal.