Abstract
Since 1949, the CDU/CSU has been the dominant party grouping in the German
party system yet has rarely occupied the political centre ground, as represented
by the so-called median legislator within the Bundestag. This article seeks to
explain the paradox of how a right of centre party faction came to dominate
what has historically been seen as a consensual and centrist party system by
drawing upon the conceptual tools of (1) formal coalition theory and (2) the
notions of path-dependence, rules, norms, beliefs and standard operating procedures.
The article argues there is little reason to believe that the pattern of
dominance established over the last six decades is in any immediate danger.
party system yet has rarely occupied the political centre ground, as represented
by the so-called median legislator within the Bundestag. This article seeks to
explain the paradox of how a right of centre party faction came to dominate
what has historically been seen as a consensual and centrist party system by
drawing upon the conceptual tools of (1) formal coalition theory and (2) the
notions of path-dependence, rules, norms, beliefs and standard operating procedures.
The article argues there is little reason to believe that the pattern of
dominance established over the last six decades is in any immediate danger.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 64-81 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | German Politics |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| Early online date | 13 Jun 2013 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2013 |
Bibliographical note
Charles Lees is Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics, Languages, and International Studies at the University of Bath, as well as a Visiting and Honorary Fellow at the University of Birmingham and an Academic Fellow at the University of Sussex. He is an Emeritus Chair of the IASGP and has written extensively on comparative politics, policy and methodology as well as providing research and advice for organizations such as the Australian Labor Party, the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Scottish Executive.Keywords
- Christian Democracy
- Coalitions
- Germany