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Business and Industry as a Political
Force in Germany
There are three levels at which business and industrial interests seek
representation. First, business wants its perspective heard as the government
formulates policy. Second, business needs representation in negotiations
with labor unions. Third, business may desire support in cultivating new
clients or suppliers. Each of these objectives is met by a separate umbrella
organization.
The Federation of German Industry (Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie--BDI)
is the most important representative of business interests in the policy-making
process. The BDI is the national peak association for thirty-nine separate
national trade associations, including associations for the automobile
and machine tool industries. Thus, it is the primary representative of
the business community in the political process and the principal intermediary
between business and government. The importance of the National Association
of Manufacturers (NAM) in the United States pales in comparison with that
of the BDI in Germany. In western Germany, the BDI's associations represent
over 90 percent of all industrial firms; by contrast, the NAM accounts
for only a fragment of United States industry. Although private businesses
were still in the early stages of development in eastern Germany in the
early 1990s, most trade associations have already set up offices there
to coordinate the new industries.
The Federation of German Employers' Associations (Bundesvereinigung der
Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbaende--BDA) is the second important representative
of business. The BDA is a peak association of sixty-four employers' associations,
consisting of seventeen regional organizations, including the employers'
associations of each Land, and forty-seven national trade associations
organized by economic sector. The BDA represents the full range of business
activity in Germany, but most of its members are in industrial associations.
Almost every medium or large employer is a member of a BDA association.
The BDA provides advice and serves as a coordinating mechanism for employers
on social and labor policy. Among other things, the BDA negotiates general
salary guidelines with unions, and it lobbies Land and federal
governments on legislation affecting the interests of its members, such
as social security and labor practices.
The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (Deutscher Industrie- und
Handelstag--DIHT) is the third leg of businesses' representational triad.
All companies paying business taxes are required by law to join the local
chamber and pay membership dues. Thus, several million firms belong to
the eighty-four district and local associations of the DIHT, including
the fifteen postunification chambers in eastern Germany. Beyond its national
role, the DIHT represents German business abroad, as well as on international
trade issues. The DIHT has been particularly engaged in attracting foreign
investment to the east.
* Business and Industry
* Labour Unions
* The Churches
* Agriculture
* Citizens' Initiative Associations
- The
Chancellor
- The President
- Legislature
- Constitution
- Federalism
- Bundestag
- Bundesrat
- Electoral System
- Political Parties
- Extraparty Political
Forces
- Geography (lands and
capitals, climate)
- Society (population,
religion, marriage, urbanization, social structure, immigration)
- Education (elementary,
junior, senior, vocational, higher)
- Economy (the Economic
Miracle, financial system, Bundesbank, business culture)
- Politics (government,
the Chancellor, the President, parties, Bundestag)
- Mass Media (newspapers,
radio and TV)
- Armed Forces (army,
navy, air forces, police)
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