The "ac" code is for "adequacy-confidence"--a
data
quality measure ranging from 0 (low) to 9
(high)
Institutionalization
Variables, 1.01-1.06
1.01 Year of Origin and 1.02 Name
Changes
1945, AC9
0, AC9
The CDU had roots in the old centre party,
which was founded in 1870 and was active during the Weimar
Republic. But it was regarded as a different party after the war,
for the old centre party was re-established as a purely Catholic
party while the CDU--though founded by former centre leaders--was
widened to include Protestants. In Bavaria, traditionally a
separatist land, the CDU had a "sister organization," the
Christian Social Union. There were no name changes.
1.03 Organizational
Discontinuity
4, AC9
The party experienced only one minor merger
in 1955 when a split among the party members resulted in a
substantial number of the dissidents joining the CDU.
1.04 Leadership Competition
2, AC9
The leadership of the party did not change
during the 1950-62 time period. Konrad Adenauer was undisputed
party leader during those years. His leadership was occasionally
challenged by political rivals such as Kaiser and Arnold, but
these challengers met with no appreciable success.
1.05 Legislative Instability
Instability is .13, AC8
The CDU's legislative strength varied
between 35 to 56 percent of the seats in our time
period.
1.06 Electoral Instability
Instability is .05, AC9
Based on three elections in 1953, 1957, and 1961, the CDU always
received from 45 to 50 percent of the vote.
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 Government Discrimination
0, AC9
It is clear that the CDU did not suffer
from any form of governmental discrimination, since the party was
part of a governing coalition throughout the time period. It could
be said that the German system of proportional representation gave
the party some advantages, but the quantitative data on the ratio
of votes to seats clearly undermines such an argument. The only
parties that suffered under such an electoral system were splinter
groups and peripheral party organizations.
2.02 Governmental Leadership
7 out of 7 for 1950-56, AC9
6 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC9
The party participated in governing
coalitions throughout all the years of both time
periods.
2.03 Cabinet Participation
7 out of 7 for 1950-56, AC9
6 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC9
The party participated in governing
coalitions and, thus, in cabinets throughout all the years of both
time periods.
2.04 National Participation
6 for 1950-1962, AC9
The CDU was primarily a national party
which attempted to integrate diverse interest groups into a
unified organization. Party success was excellent in all areas, as
indicated by the vote percentages that were accumulated during
each election. While the party was weaker in some provinces
(Bremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony) it still garnered at least 30
percent in all these states in all the elections (except for
Bremen in 1953).
2.05 Legislative Strength
Strength is .44 for 1950-56, AC9, and .53
for 1957-62, AC8
The CDU's legislative strength varied
between 35 to 56 percent of the seats in our time
period.
2.06 Electoral Strength
Strength is .45 for 1950-56, AC9, and .47
for 1957-62, AC9
Based on three elections in 1953, 1957, and
1961, the CDU always received from 45 to 50 percent of the
vote.
2.07 Outside Origin
8, AC9
The party was formed by prominent lay leaders of the Roman
Catholic and Protestant churches, along with conservative
businessmen and trade union officials. Initiative for the party
came from a group of Anti-Nazis who had been incarcerated in the
Moabit prison in Berlin.
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 Ownership of Means of
Production
3 for 1950-1962, AC9
The party has always emphasized the primacy
of private property. Throughout the time period the CDU put forth
the social market economy which is based on private competition
with limited government intervention. Erhard, the Minister of
Economics, even offered a plan for returning the Volkswagen works
to private ownership, but the plan never went into operation. It
should be noted that the party recognized the need to enforce some
regulation of the economy.
5.02 Government Role in Economic
Planning
1, AC6
Initially, the CDU was inclined toward
economic planning, but at its congress in Dusseldorf in 1949, a
classic economic liberalism emerged which rejected all planning of
the economy. This posture was somewhat modified, but the overall
philosophy was still in favor of market forces rather than
government direction.
5.03 Redistribution of Wealth
1 for 1950-1962, AC9
The party called for tax reform that would
remove some of the inequities as well as prevent the economy from
becoming too cyclical.
5.04 Social Welfare
3 for 1950-1962, AC9
The party called for reform of accident
insurance, workmen's compensation, health insurance, and pensions.
Also advocated revision of family allowances and extension of old
age security.
5.05 Secularization of Society
1, AC3
The party position on this issue was
unclear at best. While the CDU clearly approved of the separation
of church and state, it remained basically a Christian party.
There were planks in the party platform which encourage religious
instruction by any private groups, and the party clearly aimed at
combating Atheistic communism. However, there is no evidence that
the party attempted to establish governmental ties with the
church.
5.06 Support of the Military
3, AC9
The party is pro-military. It always
favored the maintenance of a powerful NATO force in Germany, and
it did not renounce the use of atomic weapons during the time
period. Of course, much of the force defending Germany is non
German, but the German army also grew throughout the time
period.
5.07 Alignment with East-West
Blocs
5, AC9
The German Republic, under the CDU, was
perhaps the staunchest American ally during the time period.
Strong military ties.
5.08 Anti-Colonialism
0, AC9
This code is based on the absence of any
ostensible colonial relationships.
5.09 Supranational Integration
3, AC9
The CDU, as the governing party throughout
the time period, advocated a determined cooperation in the
unification of Europe. Of course, Germany was a member of the
common market.
5.10 National Integration
1, AC9
If one considers only the integration
policy of the CDU vis-a-vis West Germany, then the party must be
said to be federalist. This is both a function of the party
platform and the political structure of the country. Because
Germany is a federal republic, the individual laender must be
respected, and the CDU cannot and has not called for an
obliteration of local distinctions. However, the party claimed
that its main goal was the reunification of the two Germanies,
East and West. This may be viewed as a pipe dream or as a very
real party goal. It does not seem to be a reasonable basis for
coding the CDU on this variable during the 1950-1962 time period,
however, since the CDU did not initiate any programs which would
in any way further the goal of reunification. In fact, the party
was quite hostile towards the East German regime. Thus, the party
will be coded soley on the basis of its posture within the
confines of the federal republic.
5.11 Electoral Participation
5, AC9
CDU advocated retention of universal
suffrage.
5.12 protection of Civil Rights
5, AC3
Documentation is not extensive. CDU claimed
that its programs were based on the principles of Christianity. If
this is the case, then perhaps the Party maintained a policy in
opposition to discrimination.
5.13 Interference with Civil
Liberties
3, AC9
Party programs called for free press, free
radio, free speech. The CDU insisted upon the right of any group
to maintain private schools and in them to offer religious
instruction.
5.14 / 5.15 US--Soviet Experts Left-Right
Ratings
US says 2, center
Soviets say 1, reflects the interests of monopolistic capital and
supported close ties with the church, primarily
Catholic.
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 Open Competition in the
Electoral Process
4, AC9
The party has competed in all elections. In
power, the CDU has maintained a policy of open and unrestricted
electoral competition.
6.10 Restricting Party
Competition
0, AC9
Party was not oriented towards restriction
of electoral competition.
6.20 Subverting the Political
System
0, AC9
As the governing party during our time
period, the CDU never advocated or supported any move to subvert
the electoral or governmental process.
6.30 Propagandizing Ideas and
Program
6.31 2, AC9--through government agencies
and through party papers and broadcasts the CDU effectively
employed mass communications for propaganda purposes.
6.32 2, AC9--through the ancillary
organizations the party was able to establish a quasi-educational
system devoted to inculcating the students with the CDU
ideology.
6.33 2, AC9--the party often issued
platforms and resolutions.
6.34 2, AC9--the party often issued
position papers.
6.50 Providing for Welfare of Party
Members
6.51, 6.52, 6.54, 6.55 AC1. No
information
6.53 2, AC6. The CDU created organizations paralleling the
government that appear to have aided West German interest groups
while further propounding CDU philosophy. These organizations
functioned as a continuing means of CDU contact with large
portions of the population.
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 Sources of Funds
2 (sectors 04, 10), AC9
The bulk of the party revenues came from
large contributions by business and commercial institutions.
Government functionaries and party bureaucrats were also expected
to contribute to the part coffers through the sponsor associations
(distributors of large institutional contributions). Funds were
also collected by the circulation of a grossly overpriced party
newspaper (Wirtschaftsbild).
7.02 Source of Members
5, AC9
The party statutes of 1960 indicate that
only direct membership was permitted. There are no provisions for
indirect party membership.
7.03 Sources of Leaders
4 (sectors 04, 03), for first half,
AC5
4 (sectors 04, 03), for second half,
AC6
Based on data in Loewenberg--1967--for
Parliamentarians from 1957-1961, about 30 percent of the CDU/CSU
deputies reporting occupations were in business and about 25
percent were professionals.
7.04 Relations with Domestic
Parties
4, AC9
Throughout the time period the CDU always
participated in a governing coalition with either the FDP, DP, or
GB/BHE. The CDU was always the stronger member in the alliance,
but the party still depended on its weaker partners in order to
maintain control of the government.
7.05 Relations with Foreign
Organizations
4, AC9
The CDU sent members to the Christian Democratic Conference, but
the party did not rely on the international for policy initiatives
or financial support.
Organizational Complexity Variables,
8.01-8.07
8.01 Structural Articulation
11, AC9
There were three main national organs, the
Federal Party Convention,the Federal Committee, and the Federal
Executive Committee. All three national organs had strict rules on
selection, and responsibilities were clearly and precisely
delineated in the CDU constitution. There was also an election
campaign committee which involved the national organization in the
selection of candidates.
8.02 Intensiveness of
Organization
6, AC9
The smallest party organization unit was
the Stutzpunct ("unit") which is comprised of seven members or
less. The most common unit, however, was thelocal association
which represented villages as a whole or boroughs of larger towns
and cities.
8.03 Extensiveness of
Organization
6, AC9
The CDU coverage through local party
organizations was quite extensive and complete.
8.04 Frequency of Local
Meetings
AC1
No information
8.05 Frequency of National
Meetings
4 for 1950-56, AC6
3 for 1957-62, AC6
According to party statutes, the Federal
Committee met quarterly and may have been convened by the party
chairman. Adenauer chose to convene the CDU executive only once
between September, 1958 and september, 1959.
8.06 Maintaining Records
10, AC9
The district and local associations were
responsible for keeping extremely accurate and complete records of
party membership. The party published massive amounts of
propaganda over the years, often employing government facilities
for these purposes. The CDU did not maintain any archives, rather
it used information gathered by commercial organizations or
government agencies.
8.07 Pervasiveness of
Organization
18, AC9
There were at least five ancillary organizations directly
affiliated with the CDU, Youth Union, Women's Association, Social
Committee, local government associations, and middle-class
associations. In addition, the party encouraged the growth of the
Christian Trade Union movement of Germany (CGD) which flourished
in the German industrial sector. It appears that the party closely
surveyed the activities of these ancillary
organizations.
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01 Nationalization of
Structure
3, AC7
This code was chosen to recognize the fact
that the CSU (Christlich Soziale Union) was largely an autonomous
force based in Bavaria, and it cooperated with the CDU at the
national level, primarily with the parliament.
Within the CDU itself, the land
associations were distinct components of the party with large
areas of responsibility themselves.
9.02 Selecting the National
Leader
3, AC9
The Federal Party chairman was selected by
the Federal Party Convention. The federal party convention was
composed of delegates from the land associations and of special
representatives.
9.03 Selecting Parliamentary
Candidates
4, AC7
The Federal Executive Committee elected an
election committee which, in cooperation with the land
associations, participated in the nomination of list candidates
for the Bundestag. But candidate selection for district seats was
by law given to the constituency party. Because the CDU obtained a
majority of its seats from constituency elections, this provision
produced more decentralization in CDU candidate selection than the
other parties experience.
9.04 Allocating Funds
6, AC7
Since the CDU membership was not large, it
did not depend on membership dues for the bulk of party funds.
Instead, the CDU depended on large institutional contributions
which were sometimes allocated to the party through the sponsor
associations. Presumably, the Federal Party organization, in turn,
allocated the funds to the various local associations.
9.05 Formulating Policy
6, AC9
Policy formulation remained in the hands of
a small group of party leaders. Only on rare occasions lower level
party organizations were able to effectively influence policy
formulators.
9.06 Controlling Communications
7, AC9
Extensive propaganda tools were in the
hands of the federal party organization. These include newspapers,
magazines, party broadcasts, and speakers. There were similar
propaganda tools employed by the regional and local party
organizations.
9.07 Administering Discipline
4, AC7
Disciplinary measures could have been taken
by the appropriate party Executive Committee. Disciplinary
measures include warnings, reprimands, deprivation of party
offices, deprivation of eligibility to hold party offices during a
specified period of time, and expulsion from the
party.
9.08 Leadership Concentration
6, AC9
Although a party elite of some 25 men was considered the policy
formulators, Adenauer was clearly the chief policy maker for the
party and the country. Seldom were his policy decisions overruled
and his leadership remained essentially unchallenged except for
the protestations of the laender chairmen regarding the increasing
centralization of power under Adenauer.
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 Legislative
Cohesion
89 for first half, AC6
94 for second half, AC6
These cohesion figures are taken from
Ozbudun--1970-- who calculated indices of cohesion for 285 votes
in the Bundestag for 1949-1957 and for 46 votes in the 1957-1961
Bundestag.
10.02 Ideological Factionalism
2 for 1950-56, AC9
1 for 1957-62, AC9
The CDU experienced a certain degree of
left-wing, right-wing conflict over the years. In 1950, Karl
Arnold and his supporters within the party resisted Adenauer's
policy of coalition formation with the FDP. Arnold's group
supported a grand coalition with the SPD.
However, by 1954 this leftist group had
fallen in line behind Adenauer. The
left-wing pressured Adenauer into pursuing
a more vigorous social policy, but this eventually resulted in the
disappearance of a liberal faction by the second half of the
period.
10.03 Issue Factionalism
2 for 1950-56, AC5
1 for 1957-62, AC5
Although the party contained conservative
Catholic farmers and trade union minded Catholic Ruhr workers,
there were no major conflicts between those two groups. The party
maintained a middle course and thereby pleased everyone. The only
time when issue factionalism could be identified was during the
early 1950's when Karl Arnold and other party liberals advocated
and succeeded in obtaining a more vigorous social welfare policy.
By 1957 this factionalism was non-existent.
10.04 Leadership Factionalism
2 for 1st half, AC7
5 for 2nd half, AC7
Concern about Adenauer's power and style as
CDU leader did not really surface in factional tendencies until
the second half of our time period, when some structural changes
were adopted by the party to dilute his power. In 1956, the number
of vice-chairmen was increased from 2 to 4 with this end in
view.
10.05 Strategic or Tactical
Factionalism
2 for 1st half, AC9
0 for 2nd half, AC9
Initially, there was some concern over
entering a coalition with the FDP instead of negotiating a grand
coalition with the SPD. But with the success achieved by the CDU
in elections, there was little room for tactical or strategic
arguments during the rest of our time period.
10.06 Party Purges
0, AC9
No purges.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 Membership Requirements
3, AC9
Party members had to be 18 years old and in
possession of their civil rights. Admission was made by a petition
to the appropriate district association. Each member had to pay
dues. Party kept complete records on membership, implying that all
members were registered with the CDU.
11.02 Membership Participation
3, AC3
The CDU membership numbered nearly 300,000.
Unlike the SPD, the CDU did not depend upon its membership for
financial support. However, there were certainly thousands of
dedicated party members who attended meetings and work in
political campaigns.
11.03 Material Incentives
1, AC3
Although some sources indicate that
Adenauer tended to distribute patronage positions on a
confessional basis, the data are not clear enough to allow for a
substantive code on this variable.
11.04 Purposive Incentives
2, AC3
Although some CDU militants sought
government positions, it appears that many were genuinely
concerned with operationalizing CDU programs.
11.05 Doctrinism
0, AC3
The party programs and bylaws were often
cited by party leaders throughout the time period. However, party
programs were subject to interpretation and change.
11.06 Personalism
0, AC9
While militants were loyal to Adenauer throughout the time period,
there is no evidence that Adenauer's leadership was in any way
charismatic. many party militants resented his power and he, in
turn, tended to ignore the criticism from his underlings. It could
safely be said that Adenauer enjoyed his long tenure because of
his political abilities. Personality was not his strong
suit.