Description
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.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Parties and Society 1. Parties and Society 2. Parties and Society: Changes in Party Support 3. The SPD in Transition 4. Porbelms of Party Stability: The FDP 5. The Christian Democrats: Party Organization and Membership Development Part 2: Opposition and Society 6. Youth and Politics 7. Opposition from the Left – Communism, Student Movement, Terrorism 8. Opposition from the Right – Neonazism in West German Society 9. The Green Party, A New Factor in the West German Political Landscape. Conclusion
