This study consists of a partial accumulation of 79 variables selected from the 1977 through 1998 Politbarometer West surveys. Not all the variables are available for each survey year. The major issues covered in this data collection relate to elections, politics, economics, national security, and unification of the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany. Election and political topics include respondents' party preferences and voting behavior in the last election, level of sympathy for other parties, satisfaction with the federal administrations, and opinions about opposition parties. Other political variables provide information on level of satisfaction with democracy, whether politicians were in the right positions, and the political interests of the respondent. Data on economic topics cover respondents' opinions on the economic situation of the Federal Republic and presumed further development, their own economic situations and expected development, and how the German economy compar ed with neighboring western European countries. Other economic variables include the competence of the administration or of the opposition party in ensuring jobs, improving the economic situation in East and West Germany, bettering the environment, and securing income. National security issues focus on military threats and peace security in Europe. Variables on German unification cover respondents' attitudes toward the unification of the two German states, increased world political responsibility of a united Germany, and asylum seekers and immigrants to Germany in general. Also included are respondents' opinions on the most important problems in the Federal Republic, events of the previous year, and predictions for the coming year. Demographic information on respondents includes sex, age, marital status, occupation and employment status, religious preference, and trade union membership.

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