Ein Handbuch zur deutschen Parteiengeschichte 1861 bis 1933. Überlegungen zu einem jahrzehntealten Forschungsdesiderat
In: Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen: ZParl, Band 54, Heft 1, S. 124-142
ISSN: 1862-2534
The two handbooks of the history of political parties in Germany between 1789 and 1945 that Dieter Fricke published in Jena in the 1960s through to the 1980s continue to be con- sidered the gold standard for research on this subject . Yet, though Fricke's handbooks offer a solid basis of facts, they are still characterized by socialist rhetoric and, in addition, are now outdated with respect to methodology . This essay examines the following: Which issues are pertinent today with respect to the political parties of the German Empire and the Weimar Republic? Similar to Fricke's approach, we continue to ask questions regarding the context of origin, the objectives, the organization, and the short-term political activity of political parties . Yet, above and beyond that, the cultural-historical aspects such as ques- tioning the relationship of the political party to the populace in general as well as the self- staging of the respective political parties are to be discussed . In the same way, a look will be taken at the international interconnectedness of the political parties, just as handbooks today should focus more strongly on the political parties in the member states of the Ger- man Empire . Finally, in addition, the essay discusses how a contribution to political educa- tion can likewise be achieved in connection with the handbook on the history of political parties in Germany .