Multiple Choice: The Persistence of Territorial Pluralism in the German Federation

Abstract

Since the nineteenth century several waves of territorial reforms have led to a substantial reduction in the number of municipalities in Germany. The objectives of these reforms have been to achieve a balanced relationship between land area and the number of inhabitants and, at the same time, more local administrative power, political autonomy and citizen participation in local public life (Mecking 2004; Laux 1999; Martins 1995). The amalgamation of municipalities began already at the end of the nineteenth century as many cities, in the course of industrialization, grew and required larger areas. This was especially the case in the industrial district of Northrhine-Westphalia (Ruhr area), where municipalities swelled to a size of more than 100,000 inhabitants.