The German reunification is a unique event in world history and heralded the downfall
of the entire Communist Bloc. Understanding what happened in the unification’s aftermath is
vital in order to develop future policies for Germany and Europe. This paper pinpoints and
explains problems that result from the unification and prevent Germany from becoming a
truly united nation. Current events like the IG-Metall strike of 2003 help to illustrate the
immediate effects these problems have on German society. However, these political and
economic issues are outweighed by a more profound problem, the unwillingness of both Eastand
West-Germans to search for compromises, for a mutual way into the future. Until this
situation changes, Germany will continue to experience difficulties with completing the
process of unification which might easier and faster be solved hand in hand. Either way, the
process will take much longer than most people have initially expected.
Table of Contents
Abstract:
The separated Germany:
1949-1989
1989-1990
Germany after 1990:
Political Developments
- The federal system
- The problem of right-wing extremism
- The challenge
Economic Developments
- Why the economy is in bad shape
- The economic trap
- The role of the economy
Cultural Developments
- One nation, two cultures
- The “Ostalgie-Welle”
- The cultural divide
Conclusion:
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the state of German reunification thirteen years after the event, investigating whether Germany can truly be considered a united nation. It explores how historical contexts and post-unification political, economic, and cultural developments continue to shape the society and the relationships between East and West Germany.
- Historical context of the division between the FRG and the GDR.
- Political challenges including the integration of systems and the rise of right-wing extremism.
- Economic disparities and the structural difficulties of achieving financial parity.
- Cultural differences, including the 'Ostalgie' phenomenon and the ongoing alienation between East and West.
- The necessity for improved communication and mutual compromise as a prerequisite for true unity.
Excerpt from the Book
The problem of right-wing extremism
More dramatic developments took place outside the political system. The other political extreme, the new wave of right-wing radicalism which evolved in East-Germany after the unification, is a very disturbing development. Although right wing radicalism itself is not an entirely new phenomenon in the FRG, it has never before been a political problem of national scale. Completely new was the “growing willingness to resort to open violence” (Verfassungsschutz, 2003a) against foreign people, foreign institutions, and German citizens. Whereas in West-Germany the extreme right is characterized by political parties, in the East it operates in clandestine groups (Grüne Liga, n.d., § 14). Some organizations compare the Eastern right-wing movement to organized terrorist groups. “Mittlerweile bilden sich auch klare Ansätze von terroristischen Strukturen im rechtsextremen Millieu [sic] aus” (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, 2000). However, the Verfassungsschutz contradicts Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and states that no terrorist structures have been observed (Verfassungsschutz, 2003b, p. 16).
According to the Verfassungsschutz 43% of all militant right-wing radicals but only 18% of all Germans live in the East. Last year about half of all right-wing extremism motivated crimes have been committed in the East. Throughout the last decade these radical groups were responsible for 56 homicides and innumerable arsons (Grüne Liga, n.d., §2-3). Most of their victims were asylum seekers, asylum hostels, mosques, and synagogues. Inexplicably, many East-German politicians tend to play down this development and come to defend the radical youth.
Summary of Chapters
The separated Germany: Provides a historical overview of the two German states from their inception in 1949 through the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent reunification process in 1990.
Germany after 1990: Analyzes the post-unification era, focusing on the unplanned and rapid nature of the merger and the resulting long-term political, economic, and cultural difficulties.
Political Developments: Discusses the integration of the East into the West's federal system and addresses the alarming rise of right-wing extremism in Eastern regions.
Economic Developments: Explores the economic disparities between East and West, including the challenges of wage adjustments, productivity gaps, and the impact of the monetary union.
Cultural Developments: Examines the cultural divide, the emergence of the 'Ostalgie' phenomenon, and the psychological impact of the unification on the population.
Conclusion: Summarizes the current state of the nation, arguing that while much progress has been made, true unity requires a greater willingness from both sides to understand each other's history and perspectives.
Keywords
German reunification, East Germany, West Germany, GDR, FRG, Political system, Economic development, Right-wing extremism, Ostalgie, Cultural divide, Social integration, Unification, Wage gap, National identity, Communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates whether Germany is truly a united nation thirteen years after the 1990 reunification, pinpointing the political, economic, and cultural barriers that hinder full integration.
What are the central themes covered in the analysis?
Key themes include the historical separation of the two German states, the structural and financial challenges of the economic transition, the rise of right-wing extremism in the East, and the social "walls in the minds of people."
What is the primary goal of the author?
The goal is to determine if the unification has been successfully completed and to explain why, despite political unity, Germany still experiences significant societal division.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The paper employs a historical and analytical approach, drawing on academic sources, government reports, and journalistic data to assess post-1990 developments.
What does the main body of the work address?
It evaluates political adaptations to the FRG system, economic disparities such as unemployment and productivity levels, and cultural factors like the 'Ostalgie-Welle' and mutual prejudices between Easterners and Westerners.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as German reunification, East-West division, national identity, economic transformation, and social integration.
How does the 'Ostalgie' phenomenon affect German unity?
The 'Ostalgie-Welle' reflects a nostalgic, often romanticized view of life in the GDR, which can complicate the acceptance of the current democratic system and exacerbate the divide by creating fake memories that contrast with the harsh realities of the past.
What role does the IG-Metall strike of 2003 play in the paper?
It serves as a concrete, contemporary example to illustrate how economic tensions—such as the demand for equal working hours and wages—symbolically and practically divide the nation along the lines of the former East-West split.
- Citar trabajo
- David Federhen (Autor), 2003, Germany - a truly united country?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/26768
