Role Perceptions, Party Cohesion and Political Attitudes of East and West German Parliamentarians. Findings from the Jena Parliamentary Survey (2003-4)

Abstract

This article deals with similarities & differences in the orientations of East & West German MPs more than a decade after the unification of the country. Based on data from the Jena Parliamentary Survey, thus far the largest survey among German parliamentarians, carried out in 2003-4, the paper discusses three hypotheses. While differences between deputies from the East & the West are found to be significant for some dimensions, they are, in general, subordinate to if not derived from the inter-factional differences induced by party competition. In spite of this evident impact of partisanship, German parliamentary parties exhibit unexpectedly low levels of party discipline/party unity in their attitudes towards the party & policy preferences. This phenomenon is slightly more pronounced in East Germany than in the West. Viewed against the background of parties as monopolists in the recruitment process & the reward schemes for MPs, this represents the most surprising finding from the survey.