Problems With Weimar Constitution Flashcards
List the main issues
The introduction of proportional representation
The relationship between the Reichstag and the president, in particular the emergency powers available to the president under Article 48.
The fact that the traditional institutions of Imperial Germany were allowed to continue.
What were the issues with proportional representation?
It encouraged the formation of many new, small splinter parties - making it difficult to form and maintain governments.
Coalitions were required - sometimes even of 3-4 parties, because it was virtually impossible for one party to form a majority.
All the negotiations and compromises needed contributed to political instability.
After the economic and political crisis of 1929-33, there is also the view that PR encouraged the emergence of political extremism - however it now seems clear that the way people voted and changed their allegiance from one party to another was just too volatile to be kept in check.
How could have an alternative voting political system have helped or not worked for Weimar?
Many critics felt that a voting system based on two major parties, like in Britain, and the first past the post model would have created more political stability.
However, others say that a system of PR was the only fair way - the parties were meant to reflect different religious and geographical views. The problem instead was the difficulty of creating the main parties, which has been well-established since the 19th century. In comparison the existence of splinter parties was a minor issue. It is difficult to see how an alternative voting system could have made for a more effective parliamentary democracy.
Moreover, a first past the post system could have helped the rise of nazism and communism.
