restructure the present family allowance scheme by introducing an index-linked
child’s allowance related to need…” (Point 46, Principles and Programme of the
Christian Democratic Union of Germany, ).
Another key point in most political parties policy outlines is the welfare of the unborn
child, the CDU “…advocate the protection of the life of unborn children. We wish to
improve the scope for every unborn child to be accepted” (Point 46, Principles and
Programme of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, ).
The economic policy of the CDU is very much that of a conservative party. One main
point of its economic policy is the reduction of state intervention in the economy, and
the dismissal of the socialist principle, as followed by the SDP of a planned economy:
“The ecological and social market economy constitutes an economic and political
programme for everyone. Its intellectual foundations lie in the concept of freedom
with responsibility which itself is part of the Christian understanding of Man. As such
it contrasts both with the socialist idea of a planned economy and the liberal concept
of an economic system without any constraints…and this is why we believe the state
has to establish a framework which helps strengthen the forces of self-regulation
within the economic system and obliges all those concerned to take social and
ecological requirements into consideration…and make it possible to achieve freedom
through the decentralisation of power.” (Point 67, Principles and Programme of the
Christian Democratic Union of Germany, ). This then seems to indicate
that big business is to have more control over the economy, in contrast to the socialist
principles advocated by the SPD.
Another feature of the economic policy of the CDU is its reluctance to endorse trade
unionism, one of the principle points of socialism, therefore to combat the problems
of industrial unrest the CDU seem to opt for a ‘social partnership’, ensuring
employees are happy at work so disputes are less likely to happen: “The idea of a
social partnership in industry is particularly important for our social order and for the
success of our economy. A comparison with many other industrial states shows just
how important industrial peace is for productivity. Social partnership in an ecological
and social market economy means above all worker co-determination, self-regulation
in social insurance, employee shareholdings in companies, and free collective
bargaining” (Point 69, Principles and Programme of the Christian Democratic Union
of Germany, ).
The CDU, which may seem somewhat surprising to some individuals, is very much
conscious of environmental issues in both its economic and social policy, “In future
we want everyone who fails to care for the environment or who damages it to cover
the costs resulting from his actions as a producer or a consumer…In this way we hope
to signal our determination to preserve the environment and encourage others to do so
as well” (Point70, Principles and Programme of the Christian Democratic Union of
Germany, ).
The CDU then also recognise the importance of social policy, They believe in
“protecting individuals from poverty and need, and ensuring that everyone lives in
conditions worthy of human dignity; creating the necessary mutually supportive
provisions to shield individuals from threats to their existence against which they
cannot protect themselves; strengthening a sense of individual responsibility and
willingness to help oneself; preserving social cohesion and promoting justice and
social balance” (Point 92, Principles and Programme of the Christian Democratic
Union of Germany, ), the CDU then believe in allowing citizens to take
control of their own life and determine their own futures and welfare. The CDU then,
perhaps in-keeping with their Christian background, “aim to promote a new culture of
helping. A willingness to help oneself and help others…This opens up huge scope for
a social policy which is close to the community and its needs. By supporting self-help
groups providing meeting-points for voluntary workers, creating social centres and
other facilities, social policymakers can ensure that those in need of help and those
prepared to provide help can be brought together” (Point 93, Principles and
Programme of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, ). This then
indicates that the social policy of the CDU is orientated towards the community as a
whole, and that working together as a community will in turn make that community a
better place.
The social and economic policy of the SPD then, is as pointed to in their name, a
traditional, if not updated, socialist set of ideals.
“We Social Democrats…are struggling for a peaceful world with a viable nature, for a
humane and socially just society…and [to] encourage people to fight for and achieve
progress” (SPD Basic Policy Programme, 1989, ). This then appears to be
in contrast to the CDU, whose main emphasis is placed upon ‘freedom, solidarity and
justice’.
The SPD also relay much importance on the continuing fight for the equal rights of
women, in much a similar sentiment as called for by the CDU, “We want social
equality for women and men, a society without classes, privileges, discrimination and
exclusion” (SPD Basic Policy Programme, 1989, ). This is a sentiment
which is present in both parties policy layout. The SPD, also argue the case for an
equal distribution of wealth “…we want to attain prosperity for all and distribute it
fairly” (SPD Basic Policy Programme, 1989, ), which keeps in line with
its socialist roots.
As is expected from a socialist party, centralisation and the importance of trade unions
is also called for in its policy outline “We want democracy…in trade and industry, in
factories and at the workplace. We want to limit economic power and to exercise
democratic control over it” (SPD Basic Policy Programme, 1989, ).
Again, perhaps to be expected from an essentially socialist party, the importance of
democracy and the voice of the people is imperative in its economic and social policy,
“We want fundamental economic decisions, particularly those determining what will
increase and decrease, to be taken democratically….We want a modern democratic
state based upon the political commitment of its citizens, a state that can achieve
social goals…” (SPD Basic Policy Programme, 1989, ).
The SPD then see themselves as a complete opposite to the CDU in both their
economic and social policy. In their own document they attack the very essence of
what it is to be Christian Democratic “Modern bourgeois revolutions have talked of
rather than achieved freedom, equality and solidarity” (SPD Basic Policy Programme,
1989, ) in a direct attack on the CDU, they SPD belittle the apparent
achievements of the CDU.
The SPD’s social and economic policy also tends to focus more on the class struggle
than the CDU “…the working class movement sued for the ideals of these
revolutions; an equitable society with equal freedom for all people” (SPD Basic
Policy Programme, 1989, ), the SPD taking the traditional working class
stance, whereas the CDU takes a more inclusive view. Another intriguing part of its
economic policy stance is that the SPD believes “…repairs to capitalism are not
enough. A new economic and social order is needed” (SPD Basic Policy Programme,
1989, ). The SPD, again in-keeping with its socialist stance believed “…it
is possible to restrict but not to overcome the power of big business and the
predominance of capital…The distribution of income and property remained unjust”
(SPD Basic Policy Programme, 1989, ) this is in contrast to the CDU.
In another stark contrast to the CDU, the SPD believe “Solidarity is the weapon of the
weak” and that “Solidarity…cannot be enforced” (SPD Basic Policy Programme,
1989, ), whereas the CDU have this principle right at the heart of their
policy, the SPD dismiss it at a weak element.
Also in their economic policy, the SPD seem to put forward their plans for a more
centralised economy, with more control being taken by the government. “The
concentration of economic power in ever-fewer hands seems inexorable…All over the
world, huge multinational companies are planning their profit-making strategies, are
evading democratic controls, and are forcing political decisions to be made…They
restrict our national scope for action” (SPD Basic Policy Programme, 1989,
).
A return to more economic planning is also called for in the SPD’s economic policy:
“The state is turning into an overburdened repair shop. It is expected to…repair what
has been destroyed by irresponsible economic activity…more and more people are
realising that precaution and planning are indispensable” (SPD Basic Policy
Programme, 1989, ).
There do then seem to be some similarities and indeed differences between the
economic and social policies of the CDU and the SPD. For example, The CDU and
SPD are both committed to improving the environmental and economic conditions in
Germany, but both by different means. The SPD is committed to more state
intervention in the economy, the CDU less. However, there are plenty of contrasts, the
SPD for example put more emphasis on the class of its supporters than the CDU, they
are also against the further inception of big business into the economic policy making,
where the CDU seem to actively encourage it.
Bibliography.
SPD Basic Policy Programme, 1989,
Principles and Programme of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany,
David P. Conradt, The German Polity, 4th Edition, Longman, 1989.
