Gesamtpolitik

Gesamtpolitik (also Gesamtpolitikansatz) is a term in German political science describing a holistic, long-term approach to policymaking that seeks to coordinate and integrate decisions across different policy areas into a single, coherent strategy. The concept stresses policy coherence and the idea that economic, social, cultural, security, and foreign policy should be aligned toward common national objectives instead of pursuing isolated, ad hoc sectoral measures. In this sense, Gesamtpolitik stands in contrast to Einzelpolitik (policy in individual sectors) and to short-term or party-specific programmatic experimentation; it emphasizes building a broad political consensus and acting with foresight to diffuse social tensions and increase policy legitimacy.

Historically, the term has appeared in debates over reform, stabilization, and modernization in German-speaking contexts, particularly in discussions about social democracy and state-led modernization where cross-cutting reforms require coordination across ministries and social actors. In contemporary political science, the concept is used to analyze how governments attempt to balance competing interests and to achieve sustainable outcomes through policy coherence, strategic communication, and governance arrangements that foster cooperation among different actors. Critics argue that Gesamtpolitik can risk watering down robust reforms or suppressing sectoral innovation, while proponents see it as essential for managing complex modern governance.