The course examines the structure and nature of successive political systems in Germany within their historical and geopolitical context,  with a focus on the period from modern Germany's creation in the 19th century to the present. In the first part of the semester, we will analyse the Kaiserreich, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich, assessing their origins, key features, and consequences for post-war Germany. In the second part of the semester, we will focus on Germany's post-1945 history, from its division to its reunification, before spending the final weeks on contemporary German politics. Students should learn to identify the ideological, material and structural factors that have shaped contemporary German politics and society and, in turn, European politics and society. They should gain insight into the lasting significance of Germany's political history for present-day politics, at the national level, the European level, and even the global level.