ABSTRACT
West Germany is one of the largest and most important economic powers in the world. In this chapter, the author focuses on the actors, their views of West German politics, and other attitudes relevant to their political behavior. A survey done by the European Community (EC)—one of the so-called Euro-barometer polls that are conducted every 6 months—shows that most West Germans are satisfied with the way democracy works in their country. The author presents some aspects of the third component in his examination of West German politics, that is, performances. One-third of West Germany's economy depends on trade, moving capital and commodities within the EC. Developments in the international economy, which to a large extent are beyond the control of West German policymakers, shape much of their performance. The emerging answer to the German question is that the West Germans will take a leading role in pushing for greater degree of European political unity.
