This book investigates the extent to which democratic and economic values have been internalized by citizens and parliamentarians in a unified Germany. Robert Rohrschneider, a scholar of comparative politics, utilizes extensive interview data to contrast the political culture of former East Germany with that of the West. The work argues that while democratic support is widespread, distinct pockets of authoritarian sentiment persist in the East, providing a framework for understanding political transition in post-socialist societies.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of political culture and democratic transition. Scholars frequently cite the book for its rigorous methodology and its nuanced exploration of the psychological barriers to political integration in unified Germany.