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Stressing differences between the US & German political cultures, the effectiveness of spin doctors & heavy-handed public relation (PR) strategies in the latter is questioned. Staging & marketing of politicians' & political ideas are examined in a discussion of the role of advisors, speech writers, & media in politicians' communication with the electorate & citizens. Examples of failed discursive strategies include the fiasco of former German president Roman Herzog's speech. The need for advisors who do not speak with the same voice is illustrated with different approaches of chancellor Helmut Kohl vs Gerhard Schroder. It is noted that, whereas political PR can help with gaining legitimacy, trust cannot be built with hot air & half-truths. Citizens must be activated rather than manipulated, & serious politics should stay away from selling commercials. Z. Dubiel

Shortcomings & dangers in the current political media coverage are at the heart of this essay. The authors identify trends that might be problematic for public information. The style of popular press has become more & more influential also in quality papers so that relevant & irrelevant information is difficult to separate & personalization dominates factual analysis. The interdependence of politics & media makes the public feel uncertain on political issues. A way out of the dilemma could be that well-educated deputies explain the political situation, programs, & alternatives to their constituency. Adapted from the source document.

Discusses elements of political crisis, stagnation, & apathy in 1990s Federal Republic of Germany, arguing that the frequently predicted "end of politics" can be circumvented by innovative forms of civic participation & carefully active media. Aspects of current political uncertainty are considered: the legitimacy of special interest groups; the impact of economic transnationalization on control at the national level; mass media distortion of democratic politics; institutional problems; & political-class deficits. Despite challenges in each of these areas, however, German political life & civil society can be renewed -- even in the context of increasing individualization & lifestyle pluralization -- through unconventional forms of engagement & solidarity, especially at the local level & around specific issues. A reactivation of practical politics can be aided or hindered by the media. 17 References. Adapted from the source document.

This editorial discusses the issues surrounding immigration & the political & social integration of migrants, including illegal aliens, into their chosen country by introducing the topics addressed within the journal: the basic question of national law; democratic & political culture; population development; pensions & economic development; & the question of borders & nation-state regulations in Europe. Also addressed are the debate over asylum (increasingly controversial since the 1990s), ethnic discrimination, & discrimination based on educational levels & other criteria. Several articles compare European contributions to integration politics, specifically those of the Netherlands, the UK, & Germany. A contemporary overview of immigration & integration in Germany is introduced, & the country is identified as being at a critical junction in its decision on how to handle immigration moving forward, with assimilation or multicultural integration as its two primary choices. A brief summary is presented of each article. 7 References. C. Houle

Introduces several papers (see abstracts of related articles) that explore the use of mediation to solve political conflicts involving new social movements. Various forms of mediation (eg, active mediator vs more removed facilitator) are described, & reasons for the development of mediation as a popular alternative to other forms of conflict regulation are considered. The latter include deficits in traditional state mechanisms, general neoliberal deemphasis on the state, political dehierarchicalization, increasing complexity, & new types of political problems (eg, technological & environmental planning). Use of mediation to prevent or deescalate armed conflict is also discussed. Contributions analyze how mediation redraws old lines of conflict, risks involved in environment-related mediation for organizational actors in the environmental movement, data mediation, & difficulties implementing mediation procedures & their outcomes. 5 References. E. Blackwell

An introduction to a thematic issue devoted to volunteerism in Germany discusses the importance of volunteering to democracy, social integration, the third sector, & civil society. The need is stressed for developing governmental policies that promote volunteerism, which is presently in a state of crisis. The goals formulated at the 2001 UN general assembly for the International Year of Volunteers are also found to be relevant for Germany. The involvement of citizens from the former East German states & immigrant communities is deemed necessary. Z. Dubiel