Alterssicherungspolitik in Deutschland

Winfried Schmähl's detailed overview of Germany's old age provision policies since 1945 includes a close look at their historical background from the close of the nineteenth century until the end of the Second World War. Differences in the East and West's systems of provision that already existed during the occupation became more pronounced in the Federal and Democratic republics and finally ended with reunification. This is discussed in detail along with the developments preceding the national election in autumn 1998. The author does not limit himself to the results and implications of political action, but also examines important factors influencing the processes that ultimately led to the decisions of both state and private actors. The radical re-orientation of Germany's old age provision politics after 1998 will be subject of a subsequent volume.