Party Inertia amid Federal Change? Stability and Adaptation in German Parties

German parties have been characterised by strong vertical linkages between party levels, but recent changes in the German federal system and the territorialisation of the party system have posed severe challenges to this organisational model. This article looks at party responses from two different theoretical perspectives. Rational choice institutionalism would predict rapid adaptation to a new political environment resulting in a significant increase of autonomy of the Land branches. Historical institutionalism, however, would expect more piecemeal party reforms and a good deal of organisational inertia. Studying the degree of vertical integration and sub-national party autonomy in the major German parties before and after re-unification, the article finds evidence for both theoretical approaches. The increase in regional heterogeneity has resulted in Land parties making more frequent use of their formal organisational competences. Yet, there are still many incentives for German parties to organise as integrated multi-level organisations

Adaptation (eye · Autonomy · Economic system · Economics · German · German reunification · Historical institutionalism · Incentive · Institutional change · Institutionalism · Market economy · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Unification · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Public Administration · Public Administration and Political Analysis

• Financing party branches

  Open Access•Marc S Jacob•Regional & Federal Studies•2021

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