The Long Way towards Polarized Pluralism

Abstract

Abstract In this chapter, we examine the challenges that the German party system and established parties faced in the early 2020s, tracing the path towards polarized pluralism. Through longitudinal data, we illustrate the major trends since the post-war period, with an emphasis on the system’s polarization, fragmentation, and electoral competition. We also address the challenges that parties face as organizations in a changing political environment. The German party system has undergone significant changes, putting parties under increased competitive pressure. These changes include heightened volatility, weakened catch-all parties, and a rise in politicization, leading to diversified political competition through the emergence of the populist radical right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the success of the Green party. Currently, the party system is more polarized and pluralistic than ever, with new and diverse coalition models reflecting the altered competition. While the situation does not necessarily indicate a democratic crisis, the increasing polarization, particularly evident in eastern German federal states, could threaten the system’s future stability.