Stephen Padgett was formerly Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde, UK.William E. Paterson is Honorary Professor of German and European Politics at Aston University, UK. Reimut Zohlnhofer is Professor of Political Science at the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Review comments on previous editions: "[A] superbly crafted evaluation ... from the top experts on current German politics ... We find no soft spots in these chapters, all of which are lucid and concise. This collection will constitute essential reading at all levels ... it represents a "must have" for academic libraries and a "must read" for students as well as for lecturers and researchers on German politics today." - William M. Chandler, German Politics "A comprehensive introduction to the current state of German Politics ... [A] authoritative and full of insights [t]his book is simply essential reading.' - David Broughton, Political Studies

• 1. Introduction; Stephen Padgett, William E. Paterson and Reimut Zohlnhöfer2. Government at the Centre; Christian Stecker and Klaus H. Goetz3. The Reform German Federalism; Charlie Jeffery and Carolyn Rowe4. Partisan Dealignment and Voter Choice; Russell J. Dalton5. Parties and Party Systems; Margaret Hornsteiner and Thomas Saalfeld6. Political Leadership; Ludger Helms7. The Politics of Social Protest; Dieter Rucht8. The German Model in Transition; Anke Hassel9. Economic Policy; Reimut Zohlnhöfer10. Germany and the European Union; William E. Paterson11. Germany and the Euro; Andreas Busch12. Foreign and Security Policy; Alister Miskimmon13. Welfare State Reform and Social Policy; Martin Seeleib-Kaiser14. Energy and Climate Protection Policy; Stephen Padgett15. Citizenship, Migration and Cultural Pluralism; Simon Green.