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
1948, AC9
0, AC9
Free Democrat Party was established as a
national party in all three western zones in November, 1948, and
its first congress was held in June, 1949. However, sister
organizations were begun before this, in the Soviet zone in 1945,
and in Wuettemberg-Baden in 1946. There were no name
changes.
1.03 Organizational
Discontinuity
9, AC9
Minor merger in 1957 when democratic party
of the Saar became an autonomous land organization of the FDP.
Major split in 1956 when the initiative of the young Turks
movement resulted in the resignation of 16 FDP Bundestag members.
Among these were all four FDP cabinet ministers.
1.04 Leadership Competition
16, AC9
The leadership was in the hands of
Middelhauve, Dehler, Maier, and Mende at various times during
1950-62. Middelhauve relinquished leadership after being
implicated in the Naumann scandal in 1952. The following year
Dehler assumed leadership, but was forced to resign in late 1956
under pressure from the Dusseldorf faction called the young Turks.
Maier assumed the chairmanship, only to relinquish it to Eric
Mende in 1960. Leadership changes were all overt, involving
ratification by either the federal convention or by the land
chairman and other party notables.
1.05 Legislative Instability
Instability is .18, AC8
The FDP legislative representation ranged
from 7 to 13 percent during our period .
1.06 Electoral Instability
Instability is .10, AC9
Strength is .10 for 1950-56, AC9, and .10
for 1957-62 , AC9
Based on elections in 1953, 1957, and 1961,
the FDP received from 8 to 13 percent of the vote.
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 Government Discrimination
0, AC9
This party never suffered from any
electoral discrimination. Party participated in governing
coalitions throughout the time period and definitely benefited
from the proportional representation system.
2.02 Governmental Leadership
0 out of 7 for 1950-56, AC9
0 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC9
Although the party participated in many
governing coalitions, it never claimed the position of prime
minister.
2.03 Cabinet Participation
7 out of 7 for 1950-56, AC9
2 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC9
FDP participated in all governing
coalitions during first time period. Party did not participate in
the government formed in October, 1957, but returned to a
governing coalition with the CDU in 1961. The party also
participated in 1962 governing coalition.
2.04 National Participation
6, AC9
Although the FDP was the smallest of the
three parties under consideration, it generally enjoys some
strength in all areas of the country. Its 1957 campaign was
promoted on a national basis, and the 1961 election results
indicate an increase in party strength in all lander. Party also
made an effort to broaden its social base by becoming less
aristocratic and thereby appealing to more of the German middle
class.
2.05 Legislative Strength
Strength is .11 for 1950-56, AC9, and .10
for 1957-62 , AC8
The FDP legislative representation ranged
from 7 to 13 percent during our period .
2.06 Electoral Strength
Strength is .10 for 1950-56, AC9, and .10
for 1957-62 , AC9
Based on elections in 1953, 1957, and 1961,
the FDP received from 8 to 13 percent of the vote.
2.07 Outside Origin
6, AC5
The FDP was independently formed in
different areas of Germany between 1945 and its unification as a
national party in the western zones in 1948 . Thus we would expect
diverse personalities and ideologies to be represented in the
party. It appears that each of these developing party regions was
sponsored by prominent persons of the area. Some were just
well-educated, wealthy citizens, and others had been involved in
politics during past administrations .
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 Ownership of Means of
Production
4, AC7
FDP supported a plan for going beyond the
CDU program of returning Volkswagen to private ownership. The FDP
demanded liquidation of federal holdings in banks and heavy
industry.
5.02 Government Role in Economic
Planning
4, AC7
Score awarded on the basis of FDP
acceptance of CDU economic planning policies. FDP would have
preferred a more subdued governmental role in this area
.
5.03 Redistribution of Wealth
1, AC7
Party called for reduction of tax rates and
social insurance dues, extension of tax exemptions and
governmental savings dividends system. Party demanded extension of
tax exemptions for the qualified professional training of young
people.
5.04 Social Welfare
1, AC7
Among 1961 election manifesto
demands--education grants for gifted children, child support
payments from tax monies, home construction supported by public
funds. Party alone opposed the pension reform of 1954. They
claimed that it compelled a wider range of people to join, that it
merged the insurance of white-collar workers with the national
insurance, that it was unduly expensive, and that it endangered
the stability of the currency.
5.05 Secularization of Society
1, AC9
Although this code does not entirely
reflect the FDP position, it is the closest score. The party
emphasized its anti-clerical position in an effort to
differentiate itself from the SPD and CDU. Party voiced opposition
to parochial schools and constantly underlined its independence
from the pulpit.
5.06 Support of the Military
1, AC9
Party demanded that expenditures for
educational and social welfare needs be put on a parity with
defense expenditures. FDP opposed the stationing of atomic weapons
on German soil and demanded greater German control of NATO
operations.
5.07 Alignment with East-West
Blocs
4 for 1950-56, AC7 -
5 for 1957-62, AC9
By the end of the time period, the FDP and
CDU positions vis-a-vis the Western Bloc were identical. Although
the party took a somewhat more flexible position towards the
Eastern Bloc on occasion, it always maintained its staunch support
for the Western Bloc nations in general and the US in
specific.
5.08 Anti-Colonialism
0, AC9
Germany was not involved in any colonial
relationships during our time period.
5.09 Supranational Integration
3 for 1st half, AC9
3 for 2nd half, AC9
During first half the party voted against
the common market treaty because that treaty was seen by the FDP
as a threat to possible German reunification. However, the party
policy later shifted drastically, and the FDP became a staunch
advocate of European integration during the second time period.
The 1961 party program called for the admission of Great Britain
to the common market.
5.10 National Integration
1, AC3
See comments for the CDU on this variable.
FDP position was identical.
5.11 Electoral Participation
5, AC9
Party never advocated restriction of
franchise.
5.12 Protection of Civil Rights
1, AC3
Since the FDP embodied the historical
tradition of German liberalism, it always emphasized the notion of
"freedom," although this remained an ambiguous position .
Basically adhered to a policy of protection of civil rights and
civil liberties.
5.13 Interference with Civil
Liberties
3, AC9
Party opposed any unilateral influence on
television, radio, press, or cinema. Party also opposed what it
saw as the abolition of freedom of association through compulsory
contributions to trade unions. Party always acted as a
watchdog--making sure that the CDU did not begin to exhibit
authoritarian tendencies.
5.14 / 5.15 US--Soviet Experts Left-Right
Ratings
US says 1, conservative
Soviets say 1, connected with monopolistic
capital, leans toward middle classes .
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 Open Competition in the Electoral
Process
4, AC9
Party never advocated restriction of
electoral competition during our time period.
6.10 Restricting Party
Competition
0, AC9
Party never advocated restriction of
electoral competition during our time period.
6.20 Subverting the Political
System
0, AC9
Party never advocated subversion of the
governmental system during our time period.
6.30 Propagandizing Ideas and
Program
6.31--2, AC9
Party circulated newsletters during
election years.
6.32--2, AC9
Party operated a youth organization, Junge
Demokraten. It appears that this organization served an
educational purpose.
6.33--2, AC9
Party issued numerous position papers,
resolutions, and platforms.
6.34--2, AC9
Party issued numerous platform statements
at conventions.
6.50 Providing for Welfare of Party
Members
AC1
No information.
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 Sources of Funds
1 (sector 04), AC9
All sources agreed that the bulk of the
contributions to the FDP came from big business and
industry.
7.02 Source of Members
5, AC9
There is no mention of indirect membership
in the bylaws of the FDP. In the absence of such references, it is
assumed that all membership was direct.
7.03 Sources of Leaders
3 (sector 04) for 1st half, AC5
3 (sector 04) for 2nd half, AC6
Based on data in Loewenberg--1967--for
parliamentarians from 1957-61, about half of the FDP deputies
reporting occupations were in business.
7.04 relations with domestic
parties
4 for 1st half, AC9
5 for 2nd half, AC7
The FDP always participated as the weaker
member in the governing coalition. Only once (in 1957) did the
party refuse to enter in the coalition with the CDU, and it acted
as the loyal opposition, along with the SPD, from
1957-1961.
7.05 Relations with Foreign
Organizations
4, AC8
The FDP belonged to the liberal
international, but its participation in the organization was
uneven.
Organizational Complexity Variables,
8.01-8.07
8.01 Structural Articulation
7, AC9
Three indentifiable national party
organs--Federal Party Convention, Federal Main Committee, and
Federal Executive Committee. Every party member can participate in
the Federal Party Convention. Its functions were to advise and
decide upon basic political and organization questions. The
Federal Main Committee was composed of the Federal Executive
Committee, the delegates of the land association, and extra
delegates for greater numbers of members . Its duties were to take
action on all political and organization questions, except those
decided by the convention . The Federal Executive Committee
included the Federal Chairman (of the convention), three
Vice-Chairmen, the Federal Treasurer, the Chairmen of the Land
Associations, the chairman of the bundestag parliamentary party,
the Federal Ministers and laender premier, and thirteen other
members . The federal executive committee decides on political and
organization questions along with the other national
organs.
8.02 Intensiveness of
Organization
5, AC3
There were local associations in the FDP
which were quite similar to those of the CDU. It appears that the
FDP party structure was about the same as that of the CDU,
although documentation of this is not good. While the CDU was
subdivided to the unit level, it is doubtful that the FDP
organization was carried past the precinct level.
8.03 Extensiveness of
Organization
6, AC3
Based on FDP electoral success and
stability, it is assumed that the party precinct level
organization extended throughout the country.
8.04 Frequency of Local
Meetings
AC1
No information.
8.05 Frequency of National
Meetings
4, AC6
The FDP bylaws stated that the Federal
Executive Committee shall meet at least once every three
months.
8.06 Maintaining Records
16, AC5
Since the FDP was quite similar to the CDU
in organization and ideology, it is assumed that complete and
current membership lists were maintained. It appears that unlike
the CDU, the FDP had a research organ in its headquarters. It is
clear that the FDP engaged in active and extensive publishing
programs.
8.07 Pervasiveness of
Organization
8, AC3
It appears that the party sponsored a youth
wing as well as a middle class ancillary organ called the
"taxpayers federation." There is no adequate information on the
size of these groups or the degree of party control over
them.
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01 Nationalization of
Structure
3 for 1st half, AC9
5 for 2nd half, AC3
Party composed of land associations. They
may have created sub-divisions depending on local requirements.
Three identifiable levels of FDP organization--Federal Party, land
associations, sub- divisions of land associations. While land
associations enjoyed somewhat more decision making power in the
FDP than in the other two parties, the federal party organization
still had ultimate control over party organization. During the
first half the land associations enjoyed more autonomy, but in
1960-61, the federal party (under Mende) strengthened its
position.
9.02 Selecting the National
Leader
3, AC9
The Federal Party convention selected the
Federal Chairman. The convention was made up of members of the
Federal Executive Committee, delegates from the land associations,
and delegates-at-large.
9.03 Selecting Parliamentary
Candidates
5 for 1st half, AC7
6 for 2nd half, AC7
By law, nominations for constituency seats
were the responsibility of the constituency party associations.
However, since 1953, the FDP won almost no seats in constituency
elections and depended on list candidates, which are named in
convention at the laender level with some sort of national review.
The code for the first half, then, recognized some constituency
association participation on candidate selection. That for the
second half recognized the joint roles of the land and national
organizations.
9.04 Allocating Funds
5, AC9
Party covered its expenses with
contributions by the land associations , voluntary contributions,
and receipts from publications, institutions, and events. Federal
executive committee determined the contribution levels for the
land associations and the power to penalize a land association for
failure to meet its contribution duty rested with the federal
party.
9.05 Formulating Policy
0 for 1st half, AC9
5 for 2nd half, AC5
During the first half the party maintained
only a nominal national organization, and the supra-land apparatus
functioned as a "roof organization" rather than as a true national
unit. Essentially, policies determined in the state offices and
among Bundestag delegates rather than by discussion with rank and
file. During second half, national organization began to clearly
atriculate FDP policies. National organization increased in power
under the leadership of Eric Mende.
9.06 Controlling Communications
7, AC9
The FDP carried on extensive propaganda
campaigns on a national level. This was particularly true in 1957
when the party decided not to enter a coalition with the
cdu.
9.07 Administering Discipline
2, AC9
According to the FDP standing orders,
provisions exist for expulsion or dropping from the roles for
delinquency in dues payments. However, there are methods for
appealing such actions. The land associations were in charge of
procedures for expulsion and dismissal.
9.08 Leadership Concentration
3, AC3
This code does not really express the
realities of leadership concentration. During the first half,
leadership rested with the Bundestag members and the laender
chairmen. The national association did not exert a great deal of
control or leadership. During the second half, leadership
responsibilities, to some extent, were transferred to the national
organization , but the decision making was still in the hands of
more than five individuals. Only in the early 1960's did real
concentration emerge.
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 Legislative Cohesion
.81 for first half, AC9
.93 for second half, AC6
These cohesion figures for the FDP are
based on 285 roll call votes in the 1949-57 Bundestag and 46 votes
in the 1957-61 Bundestag (Ozbudun, 1970).
10.02 Ideological Factionalism
4 for 1st half, AC7
1 for 2nd half, AC9
During the first half, the revolt by the
Dusseldorf young Turks led to a change in party leadership and to
a liberalization of party programs. However, in the second half,
unity was obtained under the leadership of both Maier and Mende.
Though ideology was debated, no identifiable factions existed
during the second half.
10.03 Issue Factionalism
1, AC3
No real issue factionalism is apparent. The
Young Turksí revolt is judged to be an ideological one,
issues not being of primary importance.
10.04 Leadership Factionalism
4 for 1st half, AC9
2 for 2nd half, AC9
The Young Turks forced a change in party
leadership late in the first half . They did not have an
identifiable leader, although they supported the appointment of
Maier as the new party chairman. During the second half,
factionalism over party leadership was not evident.
10.05 Strategic or Tactical
Factionalism
0 for 1st half, AC5
4 for 2nd half, AC5
Younger elements in the FDP also grew
disenchanted with the coalition with the CDU, and the FDP withdrew
from the coalition for most of the second half of our time period.
However, some deputies favored continuation of the
coalition.
10.06 Party Purges
0, AC9
No purges.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 Membership Requirements
3, AC3
Members had to be 17 years old. Since the
FDP maintained membership lists, it is assumed that the party
members had to register. Dues were also collected, although on a
somewhat irregular basis.
11.02 Membership Participation
2, AC3
Since the FDP was a smaller party, it would
seem likely that a greater percentage of the members would have
taken an active part in party business the party was somewhat
decentralized, allowing local organizations to take the
responsibility for some party affairs. However, it does not seem
likely that FDP members were as active in party affairs as SPD
members. Therefore a code of 2 was assigned with the lowest
confidence.
11.03 Material Incentives
0, AC3
The question was never considered in the
literature. In the absence of substantial evidence, and from
general information gathered on previous variables, it is judged
that the militants were not motivated by material
incentives.
11.04 Purposive Incentives
4, AC3
It would appear that the FDP militants were
motivated by a firm belief in their party's programs and ideology.
This is substantiated by the party's refusal to join the CDU in
the 1957 coalition. The FDP refusal was based on ideological
grounds.
11.05 Doctrinism
1, AC5
There were few references to a discernible
body of literature embodying the party program. However, the FDP
philosophy was centered around German liberal doctrines of the
19th and early 20th centuries. Of course, these doctrines were not
constricting and did not prevent the FDP from assuming a rather
pragmatic policy stance.
11.06 Personalism
0, AC9
The party experienced considerable
dissension about the lackluster leadership throughout the time
period. Personalism was clearly absent.