Schnee, Christian (2019) Sticking to her guns or going with the flow: assessing rigidity and flexibility in Angela Merkel’s political decision making. German Politics and Society, 37 (1). pp. 24-46. ISSN 1045-0300 (Print), 1558-5441 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.3167/gps.2019.370102)

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

This paper investigates levels of rigidity and flexibility in Angela Merkel’s decision making during her first three governments from 2005 to 2017. The study is a contribution to understanding German politics in the era of Merkel who has regularly been criticized for allegedly lacking a transformative agenda and ideological consistency. Methodologically this study draws on Jonathan Keller’s framework that differentiates between internally and externally validated leaders, with the latter seeking to appease and curry favor with stakeholders and the former committed to their personal believes. The study assesses Merkel’s decisions on fiscal and economic policies, zooms in on her u-turn on nuclear energy, touches upon her dithering during the Euro crisis and discusses at some length her protracted coming to terms with the refugee crisis. Findings suggest her flexibility to be predominantly a reflection of political expediencies and intended to preserve her party’s political compatibility with potentially supportive stakeholders. Her approach thus is in line with the agenda to manage coalition governments successfully, moderate and conciliate divergent interests and thus secure their position in power.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	decision making, Germany, government formation, Angela Merkel, public policy, psychology
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business Faculty of Business > Department of Marketing, Events & Tourism
Last Modified:	27 Feb 2020 12:48
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/25907

Actions (login required)

View Item