Opposition (politics)

Opposition (Latin oppositional, opposition ') is in politics for a view that is contrary to the programmatic goals of a political movement, thinking and acting on authority, to a prevailing opinion or a policy of the government.

In the history and political science, the term is generic to political forces and organized groups of people in modern, western states systems acting against the political rulers. The aim of oppositional behavior, the desire for (stronger ) consideration of one's own interests, or - in extreme cases - also be the political takeover. In the latter case, the political attitude of the opposition players may be directed against a political system as a whole by this principle is not recognized ( fundamental opposition ). Or the opposition occurs as a systemic and legal opposition in appearance, by acting as antagonist of the government is acting in a parliament ( parliamentary opposition ). In this case, both the opposition and the government are committed to the same constitutional principles. The term refers to a constitutionally recognized cooperation in the compilation of parliamentary groups Members of Parliament. The opposition is neither part of government nor does the function of supporting the government's work.

A distinction is also between competitive and cooperative opposition, in political practice, especially mixed forms occur. A competitive opposition tries above all to distinguish themselves from the government and show their mistakes in order to position themselves for the next elections and presented as a better alternative. A cooperative opposition is trying their performances in the current legislative projects of the government to accommodate, in addition they must refrain from criticizing strongly the government.

In states without a democratically elected parliament and without organized free parties, the opposition often manifests in the area of ​​art (writer, theater), the church, or for example within environmental groups. In extreme cases, the only possibility is illegal underground activity and resistance.

History

In England, the opposition was already in the 18th century as a great invention of the parliamentary system. As a means of intervention, despite Regierunglosigkeit, it has already been viewed at this time as an important component for representation in the parliamentary system. In Germany, however, the opposition was far from merely equated with mere negation, which assumed no expanded role. After the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany, this understanding changed, however, as reflected in a judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court in 1952, in which the "right to constitutional education and practice of opposition " to the " basic principles of the free and democratic basic order " is counted.

Tasks of the oppositions

After today's perspective, the opposition has some basic tasks in today's parliamentary democracy in Germany. These include the criticism, scrutiny and the demonstration of alternatives to the proposed legislation the government.

Thus, the government should be subject to opposition criticism, in which case only partially the parliamentary system is claimed and instead put more on public relations.

Introducing of alternatives for the opposition no real task, but rather an integral part of themselves so the opposition should always be ready to replace the government and also constantly working.