This book analyses German politics and economy. It analyzes the gathering crisis during the Red-Green government, the government's efforts to impose a reform agenda, the impact of the 2005 federal elections, and provides an evaluation of the success of the Grand Coalition in meeting these challenges in the run-up to the 2009 elections.

William E. Paterson was formerly Professor of Politics, Warwick University, Salvesen Professor of European Institutions at Edinburgh University and Director of the Institute of German Studies at Birmingham University. He is now Honorary Professor of German and European Politics at Aston University. Author of 28 single authored, co-authored and co-edited books and 160 articles and chapters. Co-editor of The European Union Series, PSEUP and New Perspectives on German Politics for Palgrave. Former editor of German Politics (Taylor & Francis) and JCMS (Wiley). Awarded Lifetime achievement awards by UACES (1997) International Association for the Study of German Politics(1994) and PSA (2011). Awarded OBE by UK Government 1999 and Oder of Merit (First Class) by the German Government in 1998. Co-edited the latest edition of Developments in German Politics 4.