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Christian Democracy is dead; long live the Union parties
OAI: oai:purehost.bath.ac.uk:publications/eef7660e-cd5a-43a4-a347-89052349488c • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09644008.2013.794453
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.