Green Parties in National Governments: From Protest to Acquiescence?

Abstract

The comparative analysis of the record of Green parties in national governments shows that they have had only limit impact on national policy. No doubt, the march through the institutions has changed the marchers more than the institutions. Furthermore, the Green parties are ill placed to wield much blackmailing power in coalition politics. Still, much depends on their skill to exploit a rather limited room for manoeuvre in order to implement reform and attract sufficient electoral support. The record is, however, very mixed. The example of the Finnish Greens shows that Green parties can thrive in government, while the German Greens have suffered badly at the polls.