Research papers published by the Reference and Research Services of the Deutscher Bundestag

This page sets out the English summaries of the Research Papers published by the Reference and Research Services. A link from the end of the summary will take you to the complete research paper in German.

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First sitting of the Weimar National Assembly, 6 February 1919
On 6 February 1919, the German National Assembly gathered for its constituent sitting in Weimar. Although the Radical Left was vehemently opposed to the convening of a constituent assembly, the advocates of a parliamentary democracy triumphed in the elections held on 19 January 1919. Out of fear of disruption by revolutionary unrest, but also for federalist reasons, the Council of People's Representatives decided that the National Assembly should meet in Weimar. It was also hoped that the choice of venue would allow the democratic republic to benefit from the 'spirit of Weimar'.
Topical Term of 02/04/2009
Overfishing of the world's seas
This issue of the Topical Term on "overfishing of the world's seas" examines the problem of excessive depletion of fish stocks. In 2005, three quarters of worldwide stocks were overfished or depleted to the limits of their regenerative capacity. This has resulted in the threatened collapse of most commercially fished stocks. This is very worrying, since fish is an important source of nutrition for many people and often also their only source of income. This problem has been known about for decades. In the framework of its Common Fisheries Policy, the EU has been taking countermeasures since 1983. This Topical Term examines these measures and other possible alternatives.
Topical Term of 02/04/2009
The Health Fund: functioning, expectations and criticism
On 1 January 2009, the Health Fund was introduced in Germany, placing the statutory health insurance system on a new financial footing. Expectations of the restructuring vary widely, as does the criticism expressed of the new system.
Topical Term of 01/30/2009
Strategic gas reserves in Germany
The disruption in the supply of gas from Russia via Ukrainian pipelines in January 2009 has now, for the second time in a few years (the first being the crisis in the winter of 2006), drawn the attention of policy-makers and the general public to the security of gas supplies to Germany and Europe. Currently, around 35% of Germany?s gas is supplied by Russia. This proportion will rise further in the short and medium term, as the output of the other foreign sources (Norway 26%, the Netherlands 19%, the UK 5%, Denmark 5%) and domestic production (15%) are declining. Regarding the use of global sources of liquefied natural gas (LNG) - which must be transported by tankers rather than pipelines ? the necessary infrastructure is not yet in place. As it is impossible to rule out the possibility of further disruptions to gas supplies from Russia in the coming years, the question is how well-prepared Germany is for such a situation. One important point in this context is building up strategic reserves of gas which can be used to compensate for temporary disruptions in supply.
Topical Term of 01/21/2009
Whistleblowers
Unlike many other industrialised countries, Germany does not have specific legal regulations to protect whistleblowers. This issue of the Topical Term sets out the current legal situation and legal rulings, and explains attempts to solve the problem in the area of legislation on public service employment and labour legislation.
Topical Term of 01/21/2009
Resistance to antibiotics
Improper use of antibiotics and insufficient use of measures to prevent infection have led to an increase in resistances to antibiotics, meaning that increasing numbers of pathogens no longer react to the standard antibiotics used. The presence of multi-resistant bacteria represents a grave health problem, particularly in intensive care units of hospitals. The European Antibiotic Resistance Day on 18 November is intended to focus public attention once a year on the need for responsible use of these medicines. The recently presented German antibiotic resistance strategy (DART) is a comprehensive plan, encompassing all affected areas, aimed at combating a further spread of resistance.
Topical Term of 01/16/2009
The Bloc policy and Bloc parties
The Bloc parties have recently become the focus of public attention. This was the name given to the political parties in the Soviet zone of occupation which came together to form the "Anti-Fascist Democratic Bloc" on 14 July 1945. This included the Christian Democratic Union (of Germany) - the CDU(D), the Democratic Farmers? Party of Germany (DBD), the Liberal Democratic Party of Germany (LDP, later LDPD), and the National Democratic Party of Germany (NDPD). The ?Bloc policy? was the term for the cooperation between the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) and ?friendly? parties, as well as selected mass-membership organisations (the Free German Trade Union Federation (FDGB), the Free German Youth (FDJ), the Democratic Women's League of Germany (DFD), the Cultural Association and the Association for Mutual Farmers? Assistance). The Bloc policy was the most important element of the SED?s ?alliance policy?.
Topical Term of 01/16/2009
Antiziganism and Porrajmos
In the 1980s and 1990s, the term ?Antiziganism? became established in academic discourse to describe hostility towards ?gypsies? (Roma term = tsigane). The roots of this hostility can be religious in nature or derive from social prejudices. During the ?Third Reich? it became an ideology, and the supposedly ?asocial? behaviour of the ?gypsies? was considered to be ?racially determined?. The National Socialists? campaign of annihilation resulted in a genocide of the Sinti and Roma, for which the Roma expression ?Por(r)ajmos? (?devouring?) has become accepted in non-German-speaking countries.
Topical Term of 01/13/2009
Living wills
The law does not state whether a living will is binding on the doctors and carers of a seriously ill or dying person who is no longer able to give consent to medical treatment. Three cross-party bills have now been tabled in the Bundestag with the aim of establishing in law the scope of such an ?advance directive?, or living will. This issue of the Topical Term sets out the contents of these bills and the main differences between them.
Topical Term of 01/13/2009
The czech Presidency of the European Union
Factsheet Europe of 01/06/2009 (3 pages)
Annual days of action, topic days and days of remembrance: selection for 2009
Days of remembrance, topic days and days of action are intended to commemorate important national or international societal, religious or historical events or draw attention to major issues or problems in society or in the social, medical or environmental sphere. In order to raise worldwide awareness of important topics, the United Nations in particular has established international days, years or decades dedicated to particular issues.
Composition of 12/15/2008 (69 pages)

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