German Greens

The Greens have been not only a political force and social conscience for Germany before reunification and after but also an inspiration to political groups and movements in many other countries. The Greens have raised the issues of ecology, gender, and grassroots democracy in protest against government. They have also had the rare opportunity to try converting themselves into a political party that works within the system. This is a book about their paradoxical situation and about the dilemmas all advocates of change face when they become powerful enough to negotiate with the status quo. The critical essays by German social scientists and activists also provide a detailed picture of the dynamics of the German Greens where their support has come from, the nature of the competing factions, and the place of feminism. The editors provide a substantial introduction. The flavor and texture of the Greens including their raucous public arguments and their innovative campaign tactics are suggested by the political posters included in the book and by a whole section of primary documents. The documents and the essays (except for one originally written in English) have been translated from German. The result is to make available to English-speaking readers a view of a complex movement whose very name and color have become synonymous with social action in favor of the environment and the empowerment of people. Author note: Margit Mayer is Professor of Politics at the Free University of Berlin. She has also taught at the New School for Social Research and the University of California, Santa Cruz. John Ely is a long-time commentator on social movements in Germany.