Birds of the same feather: Federalism and decentralisation in Germany

Abstract

Germany was described in the past as a ‘unitary federal state’ (Hesse, Der unitarische Bundesstaat. Karlsruhe: C. F. Müller, 1962) or even as a ‘unitary state in disguise’ (Abromeit, Der verkappte Einheitsstaat. Opladen: Leske + Budrich, 1992) underlining central politics in Germany. But what role does then decentralisation play in German politics? The chapter shows that central politics is not the only facet of Germany. Furthermore is decentralisation rooted in German history and still plays a role in any facet of the state like the territorial structure, the public service and financing. At the same time, decentralisation is not stable throughout time. Hence the text shows the dynamic development of political decentralisation during German history since 1949. This view on decentralisation in Germany highlights neither a ‘unitary federal state’, nor a ‘unitary state in disguise’.