26. Germany is …

Answer options

1. a communist republic.
2. a democratic and social federal state.
3. a capitalist and social monarchy.
4. a social and socialist federal state.

Explanation

Article 20(1) of the Basic Law provides: “The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social federal state.” The democratic principle, federalism (the Länder’s statehood and vertical separation of powers), and the social state principle are core structural principles. They are entrenched by the eternity clause in Article 79(3) GG. At the same time, the Basic Law does not constitutionalize a specific economic system such as capitalism or socialism; it obliges the legislature to ensure social security and distributive balance within a free order.