German Federalism: Past, Present and FutureM. Umbach This book explores the German idea of federalism denoting 'diversity within unity'. Historians, linguists and political scientists examine how federalism emerged in the Holy Roman Empire, was re-shaped by nineteenth-century cultural movements, and was adopted by the unified state in 1871 and again after 1945. The myth of federalism as a safeguard against totalitarianism is tested in regard to the Third Reich and the GDR. The book concludes with an outlook on German federalism's future in Europe. |
Contents
German Federalism in Historical Perspective | 1 |
the Holy Roman Empire and the Continuity of German Federalism | 15 |
3 History and Federalism in the Age of NationState Formation | 42 |
4 Federalism and the Heimat Idea in Imperial Germany | 70 |
5 Political Unity and Linguistic Diversity in NineteenthCentury Germany | 91 |
6 Federalism in the Nazi State | 113 |
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Common terms and phrases
administrative areas argued attempt authority Bavaria became become Berlin central century common competition concerned constitution continued cooperative created cultural debate democratic democratic centralism Deutsche deutschen dialects distinctive diversity early modern East East German economic effect emerged equalization established Europe European example existence experience fact federal system Gauleiter German federalism German history Geschichte Hamburg Heimat Heimat idea Hitler Holy Roman Empire idea identity imperial important institutions interest Interior issue Land Länder language least less linguistic major means Minister Ministry Munich nation-state Nazi nineteenth organization particular Party past period political position possible practice present problem Prussia question recent reform regional Reich Reichsstatthalter relations remained result role sense social standard structure studies successful territorial tion traditions unification union unity West