Search

This paper aims to open a new path for the comparative cross-historical and cross-cultural analysis of deliberating or deciding assemblies. For this purpose, it makes use of a wide concept of parliament, in contrast to the conventional narrow one which focuses on democratic elections and a free mandate. The essay starts with an overview of the large variety of “parliamentarianisms” across history and culture, and then points out the shortcomings of the “historically flat” legislative research conducted to date. It goes on to show how the use of non-biological evolutionary theory can enhance comparative historical research on institutions. Finally, it is demonstrated how “institutional morphology”, which draws a distinction between no fewer than five different forms of similarity, can be fruitfully used for empirical research into parliaments in particular, and institutions in general.

During the pandemic, parliaments around the globe suffered a “double shock”: They had to adjust to the challenges of the infectious disease and uphold or (re-)establish their roles with regard to the executive . A closer investigation of 27 parliaments in different political systems gives a first in-depth comparative account for their initial reactions to the crisis . It is based on information from an ongoing collaboration of experts on parliaments and builds on a model of historical institutionalism . In some countries significant measures were taken, including restricting participation in parliamentary proceedings and moving some of them online . Committees served as a field of experimentation for digitalizing par­liaments . While only in a few countries legislative activities were strongly dominated by the pandemic, in most countries continuity across policy areas prevailed . More variety can be seen in institutional changes for parliamentary oversight . Communication activities intensi­fied with the pandemic, particularly from parliamentary leadership . These first results indi­cate that parliaments and established parliamentary democracies, in particular, were able to perform their functions despite unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandem­ic .

What were the central characteristics of those members of parliament who rebuilt parliamentarism in Eastern Germany after reunification? A detailed picture emerges from surveys conducted in 1991/92 and in 1994 . All East German MPs were included in a paper-and-pencil interview, and in-depth-interviews were conducted with a random sample of MPs from Eastern Germany, West Berlin and West Germany . The results not only revealed similarities and dissimilarities between East and West German MPs but also changes in the role patterns of East German MPs during their first legislative term . In the first part of the analysis, published here, the focus lies on the political and vocational background of the first generation of East German MPs, their parliamentary learning processes, and their role orientations as well as their loyalty ties to their most important political “role partners” .

Ausgehend von der Feststellung eines tief greifenden gesellschaftlichen Wandels in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland thematisiert der vorliegende Beitrag die sich daraus ergebenden Herausforderungen fur den gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt sowie die Moglichkeiten, diesen zu begegnen. In einem ersten Schritt wird das Konzept fur empirische Forschung anschlussfahig analytisch ausdifferenziert. Darauf aufbauend, werden die hierfur notwendigen Ressourcen sowohl abstrakt als auch einem alltagsnahen Verstandnis folgend benannt und erklart. Es wird aufgezeigt, wie jene theoretischen Uberlegungen in empirische Untersuchungen umgesetzt werden konnen, deren Ergebnisse fur politisch-praktische Konsequenzen nutzbar sind. In einem letzten Schritt legt der Autor die notwendigen Masnahmen und Bedingungen zur Starkung und Wiederherstellung eines schwindenden gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalts dar.

This volume presents the current state of German parliamentary research with respect to topics, theories and methods. All of that is put into the contexts of both German traditions of parliamentary ideas and pertinent international discussions. In addition, the book discusses the qualitative and quantitative methods used in data collection and data analysis and illustrates them with many examples from recent research. In doing so, this volume offers a textbook on empirical political science research as well. It serves as a reference work for research on parliamentarianism and will be an indispensable resource for instructors, students and all those interested in parliamentary issues.

Dieser Beitrag stellt ein theoretisches Rahmenwerk fur eine solche vergleichende Analyse von Parlamentssymbolik im Allgemeinen und von Parlamentsarchitektur im Besonderen bereit, die uber Beschreibungen und historisch-kulturelle Einordnungen hinauszugehen vermag, indem sie auf die wirklichkeitskonstruktive Funktion der „Auserlichkeiten“ von Parlamenten abzielt. Erlautert wird der Wert einer Analyse von Parlamentssymbolik, eingefuhrt wird in die Grundzuge einer „institutionellen Analyse“ von Parlamenten, und erortert werden die Mittel parlamentarischer Selbstsymbolisierung: Zustandekommen und Zusammensetzung von Parlamenten; die Rolle von Verfahren, Ritualen und Zeremonien; die wirklichkeitskonstruktive Funktion von Architektur und Kunst. Ein Blick auf die Grundprobleme parlamentarischer Selbstsymbolisierung rundet diesen Forschungsaufriss ab.

Leseprobe ----- Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag wird gezeigt, was politische (Selbst-) Uberforderung ist, wie sie zustande kommt, welche Formen sie derzeit in Deutschland annimmt und wie sich ihr wehren liese. Entfaltet wird das Argument vor allem entlang dem Begriffspaar einer „Plastilin-Theorie“ und einer „Biotop-Theorie“ der Politik. Schlagworter: Politikuberforderung, Politikillusion, Biotop-Theorie der Politik, Plastilin-Theorie der Politik ----- Bibliographie: Patzelt, Werner J.: Die (Selbst-) Uberforderung der Politik, GWP, 1-2018, S. 97-106. https://doi.org/10.3224/gwp.v67i1.07

This text first shows that political science policy advice derives its legitimacy from the civic role of political scientists, from their special expertise and from concrete political challenges. Then the systematic need for policy advice and their concrete offers are outlined. These range from descriptions to context analyses, explanations and forecasts to instructions especially based on value judgments. In the end, rationality is discussed as a means and critique as a continuing benefit of scientific policy advice.