In 1990, unification ended Germany's division into two contrasting political and economic systems. Recasting the east has revived constitutional debate in Germany; highlighted the institutional foundations of economic decision making; and reopened the question about the democratic foundations of German political culture in the west and especially in the east. In an international context, a larger and potentially stronger Germany is now at the centre of Europe, a Europe which includes the European Community but also stretches east beyond the former Iron Curtain.

German Politics was launched in 1992 as an international forum for academic debate and political analysis on Germany, its changing role in European and world affairs, and its internal structures including political economy, constitutional law and social analysis. German Politics offers research articles from leading scholars in their field; each issue includes a substantial review section.