Bad Godesberg Resolution

German history

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June 18, 2026

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The Bad Godesberg Resolution was a pivotal moment for the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) in 1959. This resolution marked a significant shift away from the party's traditional Marxist ideology.21

Key changes introduced by the Bad Godesberg Resolution:
* Economic Policy: The party abandoned its commitment to nationalizing industries, instead favoring gradual reform.2
* Social Policy: Appeals to class warfare were dropped, broadening the party's appeal to the middle class.2
* Foreign Policy: The SPD embraced West Germany's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Economic Community, moving away from a neutralist foreign policy.1

This strategic reorientation allowed the SPD to increase its electoral support and become a major force in German politics, forming coalition governments in subsequent decades. Bad Godesberg itself is a district of Bonn, known historically for diplomatic events.213

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socialism
Postwar socialism
Even the SPD, in its Bad Godesberg program of 1959, dropped its Marxist pretenses and committed itself to a “social market economy” involving “as much competition as possible—as much planning as necessary.” Although some welcomed this blurring of boundaries between socialism and welfare-state liberalism as a sign of “the end…
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Even the SPD, in its Bad Godesberg program of 1959, dropped its Marxist pretenses and committed itself to a “social market economy” involving “as much competition as possible—as much planning as necessary.” Although some welcomed this blurring of boundaries between socialism and welfare-state liberalism as a sign of “the end…
Read More

Germany
Political consolidation and economic growth, 1949–69
…existing economic system in its Bad Godesberg program of 1959, scored impressive gains. Adenauer managed to retain the chancellorship by forming another coalition with the Free Democrats, but his position was weakened. He had tarnished his image in 1959 when he announced his candidacy for the presidency only to withdraw…
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…existing economic system in its Bad Godesberg program of 1959, scored impressive gains. Adenauer managed to retain the chancellorship by forming another coalition with the Free Democrats, but his position was weakened. He had tarnished his image in 1959 when he announced his candidacy for the presidency only to withdraw…
Read More

Germany
The Social Democrats
…SPD, in the so-called “Bad Godesberg Resolution,” discarded its doctrinaire approach; nationalization of industry was dropped in favor of gradualist reform, and appeals to class warfare were abandoned. The party broadened its base to attract increasingly greater segments of the middle class. The SPD was cautious about unification, fearing…
Read More
…SPD, in the so-called “Bad Godesberg Resolution,” discarded its doctrinaire approach; nationalization of industry was dropped in favor of gradualist reform, and appeals to class warfare were abandoned. The party broadened its base to attract increasingly greater segments of the middle class. The SPD was cautious about unification, fearing…
Read More