The German Greens: Challenging the Consensus

This book examines the Greens' contribution to the changing nature of contemporary German local politics and the effect of local political involvement upon the Greens themselves. The author shows how the established 'unpolitical' nature of Germany's local politics has given way to overtly political and confrontational approaches. This has occurred primarily under the influence of the Greens and the 'New Local Politics'. The book appears at an important juncture for the German Greens with questions being posed about their relevance in a post-unification Germany.

This book examines the Greens' contribution to the changing nature of contemporary German local politics and the effect of local political involvement upon the Greens themselves. The author shows how the established 'unpolitical' nature of Germany's local politics has given way to overtly political and confrontational approaches. This has occurred primarily under the influence of the Greens and the 'New Local Politics'. The book appears at an important juncture for the German Greens with questions being posed about their relevance in a post-unification Germany.

Booknews

Examines the contribution of the environmentalist Green Party to the change in German local politics from an essentially non- political to a highly political and confrontational process. Reviews generally the old politics and the beginnings of its transformation, the rise of the Greens and their initial successes, organization, and ideology. Then focuses on the city of Mainz since 1984 as a case study. The conclusion muses on the future of the party in unified Germany. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Thomas Scharf is a Senior Lecturer in Social Gerontology, at the University of Keele.