Green Parties in National Governments: From Protest to Acquiescence?

Author: Poguntke, Thomas

Source: Environmental Politics, Volume 11, Number 1, Spring 2002 , pp. 133-145(13)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $50.43 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

The comparative analysis of the record of Green parties in national governments shows that they have had only limited impact on national policy. The march through the institutions has changed the marchers more than the institutions. Green parties are ill placed to wield much blackmailing power in coalition politics. Much depends on their skill in exploiting their rather limited room for manoeuvre in order to implement reform and attract sufficient electoral support. The record is, however, very mixed. The example of the Finnish Greens shows that Green parties can thrive in government, while the German Greens have suffered badly at the polls.

Keywords: Green parties in national governments; impact on national policy; coalition politics; electoral support

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2002-03-01