Issue 2, 2005   

Stragegic no man's land. On the dilemma of developing strategies in politics.

Gerd Mielke, Looking for Justice. Some Remarks on the debate about the SPD-program in a crisis of identity, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.5-17.

Mielke argues that the SPD (Social Democrats Germany) should maintain their trditional understanding of justice. But Schröder's agenda 2010 breaks with this tradition. The concept of justice, which shall be central in the new party-program should consider more the philosophical concept of 'good life'. As well should be considered the ideas of justice as they are understood by important groups within society, which are close to the party. Only then SPD will gain majorities again.

Speth, Political strategy-development, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.20-37.

The article sums up the discussion on strategy-development in politics. Since in economics the discussion is on a rather advanced level there are deficits in social sciences. In praxis it is similar, political organisations lack concepts of strategy. Strategy-development has to be linked to communication, especially in election campaigns, where it is an important element.

Nahles, Andrea, SPD´s process of strategy-development, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.38-43.

Andrea Nahles shows the relevance of strategies for political parties. She claims that the Social Democratic Party (SPD) is now in a rather good situation though they had a problematic start after the 2002 election. This is due to the fact that they could emphazise their aims and distinct from the political opponent. How the SPD analyzes problems, defines aims and realizes them she explains precisely in the context of the so called Bürgerversicherung (insurance for citizens).

Urban, Trade unions as constructive veto-players? FJNSB 02/2005, pp.44-60.

Trade unions face the dilemma that there is an increased need of strategy-development but their ressources decline. If trade unions want to develop strategies in order to overcome their devensive role the constructive veto player is the best model. So unions have to substantiate powerpolitics in the capital-work-system, take a stand in sociopolitcs, develop a profile in media and adjust their structures transnationally.

Christiane Zerfaß, Strategies in changing times. Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) as an example, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.61-67.

In everyday politics it is ever more difficult for trade unions to be successful with their strategies. Participation in discussions on sociopolitics takes place rather slowly. Furthermore are these discussion regardes as imposed, as they don't match the speed of discussions within trade unions. As DGB wants to be an opinion leader in sociopolitics again, it has to overcome its dezentrlized structures especially concerning strategy-development.

Schwarzer, Developing strategies for charity associations in competition, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.68-75.

Crisis have to be considered as productive situations. For charity associations strategy-development is pivotal in a competetive market of charity services. But they have also to deal with blockades. A steady process of linking strategy aims and developing options of action which have to be reviewed are indispensible. Analysis - decision - action is the concentrated triad. But competition forces charity associations to accelerate the process of strategy-development.

Gerwin Stöcken, AWO´s new orientation, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.76-79.

Gerwin Stöcken lines out the topical problems of Arbeiterwohlfahrt AWO (worker's charity) and the proposals to solve them. Since AWO loses influence in social-policies and is for most people interesting only because of their services consequences have to be considered. So a focus on the local communities is as important as to cope with the economization of charity services.

Billen, Gerd, NABU's strategy-development, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.80-84

Since NABU had permanent quarrels between federal and local levels there was a need for a strategy explains Gerd Billen. He shows that both levels have to be involved in the process of strategy-development and the engagement on the local level has to be acknowledged. Furthermore he shows that extern advice is very helpful as long advisors are familiar with the work of NGOs.

Stefan Krug, How Greepeace does campaigning and strategy-development, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.85-89.

Greenpeace´s strategy is based on two rules: Preventing injustice personally and create as much public attention as possible. But Greenpeace had to add some new elements since the topic environment changed not at last due to the fact that new countries are in focus now.

Dettling, Warnfried, Strategies and blocking strategies: A resumee, FJNSB 02/2005, pp.85-89.

Dettling sums up the previous articles and is rather sceptical on strategies. Of course it is necessary to develop strategies, but complex realities mark the limits. Protagonists are not always keen on it, as it leads to unwanted consequences. A further obstacle is the inability of politicians to fix aims. And the "protected areas", which are pivotal for strategy-development are difficult to realize in a media society. Dettling claims that since there is depolitization it is impossible for political organisations to develop strategies.