With the presidential elections in the United States of America just behind us and the “Bundestagswahl” in Germany just ahead of us, the controversies and challenges surrounding both elections warrant a closer look at the similarities and differences of the governmental systems of both countries to gain insights into the future of German and U.S. politics.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 1.1 Thesis Statement
- 1.2 Motivation
- 1.3 Methodology
- 2 The governmental system of Germany
- 2.1 The historical development of the governmental system of Germany
- 2.2 The political system of Germany
- 2.2.1 The electoral system of Germany
- 2.2.2 The party system of Germany
- 3 The governmental system of the United States of America
- 3.1 The historical development of the governmental system of the United States of America
- 3.2 The political system of the United States of America
- 3.2.1 The electoral system of the United States of America
- 3.2.2 The party system of the United States of America
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to compare the governmental systems of Germany and the United States, analyzing their historical development, electoral systems, and party systems. The objective is to identify the advantages and disadvantages of a presidential system versus a parliamentary democracy, ultimately concluding which system better serves its citizens and grants greater political influence.
- Historical development of the German and U.S. governmental systems.
- Comparison of the electoral systems in Germany and the U.S.
- Analysis of the party systems in both countries.
- Evaluation of the relative power of the executive branches in each system.
- Assessment of citizen political influence within each system.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for a comparative analysis of the governmental systems of Germany and the United States. It highlights the recent elections in both countries as a catalyst for this study, emphasizing the need to understand the similarities and differences between the two systems. The chapter establishes the thesis statement, arguing that despite the greater power of the U.S. President compared to the German Chancellor, Germany's system is superior due to its more democratic electoral system and better representation of the people. The author's motivation for undertaking this research is also explained, stemming from a combination of personal interest and the critical media coverage of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, coupled with the upcoming German federal election. Finally, the methodology, relying on books, articles, and internet sources, is briefly outlined.
2 The governmental system of Germany: This chapter delves into the German governmental system, beginning with its historical development. It traces the system's origins back to the post-World War II occupation and division of Germany, highlighting the differing objectives of the occupying powers (Soviet Union, USA, UK, France) and their influence on the political landscape. The focus is primarily on the development of the Federal Republic of Germany (BRD), tracing its evolution through various periods, including the post-war economic boom and the establishment of a social market economy. This section lays the foundation for understanding the current structure and function of the German government.
3 The governmental system of the United States of America: This chapter mirrors the structure of Chapter 2, offering a comprehensive overview of the U.S. governmental system and its historical development. It will likely explore the founding principles of the American system, the evolution of its institutions (Congress, Presidency, Judiciary), and significant historical events that shaped its current form. The chapter will provide insights into the interplay of these institutions and the unique features of the U.S. system, such as the separation of powers and checks and balances, setting the stage for a comparative analysis with the German system in subsequent sections of the work (which are excluded from this preview due to avoiding spoilers).
Keywords
German governmental system, U.S. governmental system, presidential system, parliamentary democracy, electoral system, party system, historical development, comparative politics, political representation, citizen influence.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of the German and U.S. Governmental Systems
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a comparative analysis of the German and United States governmental systems. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis focuses on the historical development, electoral systems, and party systems of both countries to determine which system better serves its citizens and grants greater political influence.
What are the main topics covered in the analysis?
The analysis covers the historical development of both the German and U.S. governmental systems, comparing their electoral systems and party systems. It also evaluates the relative power of the executive branches in each system and assesses citizen political influence within each.
What is the thesis statement of the analysis?
The thesis statement argues that despite the greater power of the U.S. President compared to the German Chancellor, Germany's system is superior due to its more democratic electoral system and better representation of the people.
What is the methodology used in the analysis?
The methodology relies on books, articles, and internet sources.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
Key themes include the historical development of the German and U.S. governmental systems, a comparison of their electoral systems, an analysis of their party systems, an evaluation of the executive branches' power, and an assessment of citizen political influence in each system.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the introduction, the chapter on the German governmental system, and the chapter on the U.S. governmental system. The introduction sets the stage for the comparison, outlining the thesis, motivation, and methodology. The chapter on Germany details its historical development, focusing on the post-World War II period and the formation of the Federal Republic. The chapter on the U.S. system similarly covers its historical development, focusing on its founding principles and the evolution of its institutions.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include German governmental system, U.S. governmental system, presidential system, parliamentary democracy, electoral system, party system, historical development, comparative politics, political representation, and citizen influence.
What is the overall objective of the analysis?
The objective is to compare the governmental systems of Germany and the United States, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of a presidential system versus a parliamentary democracy, and ultimately concluding which system better serves its citizens and grants greater political influence.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2017, A Comparative Analysis of the Governments of the United States of America and Germany and their Historical Development, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/386600
