Hi Historians, thank you for your time!

A question regarding German democracy/the development of political institutions in Germany before World War One- oftentimes, in my personal experience, many people will explain the rise of Hitler and the general instability in the Weimar Republic by saying that Germany wasn't ready for democracy, having lived largely under monarchical governments for centuries. However, from what I can tell both imperial Germany and the individual German states had been well on the way to developing modern democratic political institutions since the mid 1800s, and even before on a localized level. So my question is, what was the state/development of German democracy before World War One, focusing on the immediate pre-WWI era, but any historical context before that would be much appreciated! (as well as suggested readings, of course!)

Thanks!