To understand developments in West Germany since World War II, one must consider numerous social, political, economic, military, and educational variables. Important among these are the decline in output orientation, increase in interpersonal political involvement, decline in value placed on politics, stress on democratic decision making, reduction of support for European political integration, and democratization of education. Characteristics of Germany's political structure include a political party system based on proportional representation, a constitution which combines central institutions with federalism, and a high aggregation of interest among leaders from government, banking, business, labor, and industry. In the arena of social policy, post World War II developments include increases in government supported pension plans, a national health system, and increases in numbers of students receiving higher education. United States/West German political relations since World War II have been based on mutual acceptance of the need for European security, in spite of differences over particular military and financial policies. Analysis of these factors indicates that West Germany is a stable nation whose governmental and constitutional structure provides ample opportunities for dealing with political issues. (DB)