German Policy Agenda

Abstract

In this article, we introduce a new and comprehensive database that traces the policy agenda in Germany and highlights its potential for political science research. First, we briefly summarize the theoretical roots—agenda-setting—and then present the database. The database covers activities from all stages of the policy process: at the input level (public opinion and election manifestos of the parties), at the policy process level (government statements, parliamentary questions, and bills), and at the output level (laws). Observations from each level are coded thematically according to the Comparative Policy Agendas scheme and includes the period 1977 to 2013. Finally, we briefly describe the complete database and, using the example of energy policy, illustrate how policy processes can be depicted and analyzed in this way. The database is available at https://gpa.uni-konstanz.de/ .