This study traces the development of the German higher education system, examining the development of higher education policies from the postwar years to the postunification period. It focuses on federalism and the relative positions of"Lander" (German states) and the government of the Federal Republic (FRG) as revealed in higher education policy making. Part 1, "Federalism and 'Hochschulpolitik' in the FRG", contains: (1) "German Federalism: A Policy-Area Approach"; and (2) "'Hochschulpolitik': Definitions and Statistical Overview." Part 2, "The Higher Education Policy Community, 1948-1969," contains: (3) "'Lander' Control of Higher Education, 1948-1966"; and (4) "The Role of the 'Bund' 1966-1969." Part 3, "Segmented Federalism and 'Hochschulpolitik'," contains: (5) "Framework Provisions and Admissions Policies"; (6) "Financing 'Hochschulpolitik'"; and (7) "European Co-Operation Programmes." Part 4 is the single chapter: (8) "Unification, Federalism and Intricate Interdependence." (Contains 179 references.) (SLD)