The Green Movement In West Germany Rle German Politics

The Green Movement in Germany is widely regarded as one of the most powerful expressions of popular opposition to government policies. A broad analysis of this powerful group is made in this book, showing that the origins of the movement relate to the general protests against industrialisation in the nineteenth century and also to more recent forms of protest. The author assesses the challenge posed by the Green Movement to established groups and organisations both in proposing alternative policies and in a long run of electoral successes. The Green Movement has evidently had a great impact on assumptions about defence, welfare and environmental policies. Data from major surveys on public attitudes and interviews with senior officials complete the picture of the practical and theoretical dimensions of the Green Movement.

The book traces the development of Germany from the Kaiser’s Reich in the 1870s to the reunited democratic state led by Helmut Kohl in the 1990s. The author begins by countering the popular view of Germany before 1914 as irredeemably reactionary, and after assessing Germany’s part in the First World War, he outlines the rise and fall of the Weimar Republic. The 12 years of Hitler’s destructive experiment are presented in a balanced way as part of the overall development of the country. Germany in defeat is then discussed, as is heer rebirth under Four Power occupation. The last chapters explore the two separate German states and the events leading up to the restoration of German unity.

In this volume, originally published in 1984, the author examines the social composition of the electorate, of membership and leadership of West German political parties, as well as their representation and finances. Kolinsky argues that while affiliation and electorates remained distinct, the social composition of party organisations became narrower and more uniform. The book examines how the parties became alienated from contemporary West German society and discusses the difficulties experienced by opposition parties in trying to develop alternative strategies, in particular those of the Green Party.

This book looks at the organization of the West German Green party and at various policies in areas such as "Ostpolitik" economics and the relationship with other parties. Also included is a view from within the party by the General Secretary.

Though much has been written about the Green Party in Germany, less is known about the changes in individuals' attitudes towards the environment that led to the rise of environmental movement, or of its cultural roots. This volume draws attention to the breadth of environmentalism in contemporary Germany and its significance for German political culture by focusing on the treatment of "green" issues in literature, the media and film, against the background of Green politics and the environmental movement. The volume includes an interview with Carl Amery, the Bavarian Green and science fiction writer, a short text by him and an account of his activities as writer and campaigner.

Since 1983, when the West German public elected several of their party members to representative seats in the Bundestag, the Greens (Die Grunen) have been a political force. A Rhetoric of the People studies how the German Greens have evolved a rhetorical style that is characteristic of a social movement, voicing citizen dissatisfaction with representative democracy and the insensitive decision making of traditional political and economic structures. Authors Coleman and Coleman discuss the Greens as part of a significant global environmental movement, and as a voice that advocates a new politics based on the key notions of ecology, equal rights, grassroots democracy, self-determination, Third World concerns, and peace. A Rhetoric of the People concentrates on the Greens' rhetorical vision as presented in their public utterances and political platforms. To furnish a context for appreciating the Greens' persuasive efforts, the authors examine green argumentative stances in general, then present a brief review of the global environmental movement and a discussion of the evolution of the German Green Party. What follows is essentially a descriptive study that highlights the verbal discourse of the Greens as revealed in their official party statements. The authors conclude by exploring some of the issues and problems presently facing the Greens, and contemplating the future of the party. Recommended for sociologists, political scientists, environmentalists, and communications scholars.