Lifestyle groups, social milieus and party preference in Eastern and Western Germany: Theoretical considerations and empirical results

The aim of this paper is to analyse the existence of political milieus in the eastern and western German electorate by using the concepts of lifestyle and social milieu. After introducing these ideas a theoretical approach will be taken which integrates them by pointing out their similarities and differences. Finally, empirical analyses of lifestyle groups and social milieus in the eastern and western German population will be carried out with the aim of ascertaining the existence of political social milieus in reunified Germany. The results indicate that the German electorate to some extent is still characterised by political milieus.