Von Der Selbsthilfeorganisation Zur Partei: Wie Aus Dem Erfolgreichen Senioren Schutzbund Graue Panther Die Erfolglose Partei Die Grauen Wurde (From Self-Help to Political Party: The Greys in Germany)

Abstract

This chapter (in German) traces the development of a senior self-help interest group (Senioren Schutzbund) to a pensioners party, the Greys (die GRAUEN). It unravels the organisational and strategic tensions and complementarities between a civil society organisation and a political party, even under most-likely circumstances. The chapter concludes that civil society organisations can push parties into existence, but that these parties must embark on an independent mission because members' motivations and the logics of organisational structures are incompatible.

Note: Downloadable document is in German.

Keywords: pensioners party, Germany, civil society, Greys