Political culture of Germany
|
The political culture of Germany as of the early 21st century is known for both its welfare government, business and labour corporatism and prevalent Green and social democratic forces.
In contrast, the country is uneasy with its central position in European integration and is struggling with heightening pressures of increasing immigration, mainly from Muslim and eastern Eurasian countries, and the continued gap between the wealthier former West Germany and the former East Germany.
Recently (2004), some conservative politicians started a public debate as to whether first-and second generation immigrants should adapt to German habits and lifestyle (the word "Leitkultur"= German way of life was coined), which prompted Turkish-born members of the conservative CDU party to found a German-Turkish union for immigrant members of the conservative party (December 2004).