Germany's Political Situation - Research Paper Example

The state has high living standards, and an inclusive system of community security. The country is known worldwide for its cultural and political history (Hilmer, 2002, p. 5). Germany’s political influence is well documented both locally and international. The country influenced global politics that led to the two World Wars and locally through the Nazi regime. However, the country has grown politically, and it currently is a democratic hallmark for other countries. Germany has a federal, representative and parliamentary system of government.

The political system functions under a structure laid out in the constitutional document of 1949. Amendments to the constitution require 66% majority votes from the chambers of parliament. The fundamental principles of the German constitution express human dignity, federal structures, and separation of power and rule of law as valid in perpetuity. The President heads the state, and the presidential institution has the representative powers and responsibilities. The President comes to power through a federal convention, which constitutes members of the Bundestag and state delegates.

The President of the Bundestag has the second highest official powers after the president. This President, elected by the Bundestag, oversees the daily sessions of the German parliament. The Chancellor occupies the third highest office in Germany. The Chancellor heads the government and is appointed after elections by the Bundestag (Schmidt, 2005, p. 149). The Chancellor heads the government and has executive powers similar the Prime Minister in other democracies. The parliament has the federal legislative powers, and it consists of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.

The Bundestag undergoes direct elections through proportional representation. Members of the Bundesrat make the government of 16th federal state, and the state cabinet (Schmidt, 2005, p. 155). Since 1949, party system dominated German politics. The Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party of Germany characterized German politics, with all German Chancellors having membership of the two parties. However, liberal parties such as the Alliance ‘90/The Greens and the Free Democratic Party also played crucial roles in German politics.

The law system in Germany has its basis on the Roman law that is civil. Germany comprises 16 states, referred to as Lander. Each state has a constitution, and they are largely autonomous with regard to internal organization. Germany has states of varying sizes and populations. In 2009, the country was divided into 403 districts, with 102 urban districts and 301 rural districts (Wheeler-Bennet, 1965, p. 468). In the past, Germany was divided into kingdoms, which later united to form the German Empire.

This empire had a ruler known as an Emperor or Kaiser. The Kaiser did not gain power through election, but rather through inheritance or nomination. Only men took part in the elections of the Reichstag, as women did not have voting powers. The Reichstag or Imperial Assembly was a weak body. This body could not formulate laws; it could only pass, reject or amend bills initiated by the Kaiser appointed chancellor. During the early days of the empire, the Reichstag functioned in agreement with the Kaiser; this means that the Kaiser controlled the body.

However, with time, the body became less compliant with Kaiser’s wishes. Disagreement between Kaiser and the Reichstag led to