In 1989-1990 the communist rule in Central and Eastern Europe collapsed, opening up the road to democracy, came about by means of mass demonstrations, the first of which took place in Plauen (GDR) on 7 October 1989. Only a few months later, no-one could be sure how the world would develop. The so-called ‘voice’ was followed by ‘exit’ in the German Democratic Republic – and the Czechoslovakians were close to the events taking place in the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Prague. The end of the autocratic system was followed by the process of democratisation, characterised by upheavals and the restructuring of political conditions. Free and independent elections marked the end of democratisation in both the German Democratic Republic and Czechoslovakia. The consolidation period was determined by the dissolution of both of the aforementioned countries. The author’s focus was on economic consolidation, as well as on political consolidation with regard to regional integration by means of the countries’ membership of international organisations and regional and sub-regional bodies. Finally, a comparison has been made of the German Democratic Republic, Czechoslovakia and their successor states.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Object of Research
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 State of Research
1.4 Structure
1.5 Methodology
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 Regionalism
2.2 Region
2.3 Transition
3. THE TRANSITION OF THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
3.1 The End of the Autocratic System
3.1.1 Notice of Electoral Fraud
3.1.2 ‘Exit’ from Prague, Budapest and Warsaw: Mass Departures, Escapes – and the Externalisation of the Transition
3.1.3 ‘Voice’: The ‘Peaceful Revolution’ of October/November 1989
3.1.4 Economic Crisis
3.1.5 Changes in the International Political Framework
3.1.6 Loss of International Financial Aid Scheme
3.2 The Democratisation Process
3.2.1 The Beginning of Democratisation
3.2.2 Further Process of Democratisation
3.2.3 The End of the Democratisation Process
3.2.4 External Elements of the Democratisation Process and Germany’s Reunification
3.2.4.1 The Role of the Federal Republic of Germany
3.2.4.2 The International Dimension of Germany’s Reunification
3.3 The Consolidation of Democracy
3.3.1 The Socio-Economic Consolidation
3.3.1.1 Economic, Monetary and Social Union: Exchange of Currency and Trust Agency
3.3.1.2 A Comparison between Unemployment in East and West Germany
3.3.1.3 Domestic Migration between East and West Germany
3.3.1.4 Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
3.3.1.5 Inflation
3.3.1.6 Conclusion
3.3.2 The Political Consolidation
3.3.2.1 Two Plus Four Negotiations
3.3.2.2 Coming to Terms with the Stasi Past and Official Transfer to one Federal Republic of Germany
3.3.2.3 International Community
3.3.2.3.1 European Union/European Community
3.3.2.3.2 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
4. THE TRANSITION OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA
4.1 The End of the Autocratic System
4.1.1 ‘Voice’ instead of ‘Exit’: The ‘Velvet Revolution’
4.1.2 Opposition Movements
4.2 The Democratisation Process
4.2.1 The Beginning of Democratisation
4.2.2 Further Process of Democratisation
4.2.3 The End of the Democratisation Process
4.3 The Consolidation of Democracy
4.3.1 The Socio-Economic Consolidation
4.3.2 The Political Consolidation
4.3.2.1 Dissolution of Czechoslovakia
4.3.2.2 The Czech and Slovak Republics Return to Europe and to the International Community
5. COMPARISON
6. CONCLUSION
Objectives & Themes
This thesis examines the democratic transition and consolidation processes in Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic (GDR), and their respective successor states following the events of 1989-1990. The core research aim is to compare how these states navigated the geopolitical framework of the post-Cold War era, focusing on regional integration and membership in international organizations like the EU and NATO to provide a comprehensive analysis of their institutional and economic transformations.
- Comparison of transition processes in the GDR and Czechoslovakia.
- Impact of the geopolitical framework and regionalism on state consolidation.
- Economic analysis of post-transition development, including GDP, inflation, and unemployment.
- Role of international institutions in the democratisation and consolidation of the successor states.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2 ‘Exit’ from Prague, Budapest and Warsaw: Mass Departures, Escapes – and the Externalisation of the Transition
A further internal reason for the end of the autocratic system even occurred a short period before mass demonstrations broke out in the GDR: the departures (‘exits’) and escape of thousands of East German citizens to West Germany and Western Europe (e.g. to Austria via Hungary). Departures and escapes to West Germany unequivocally led to later waves of demonstrations, even encouraging mass demonstrations and thus the collapse of the GDR. ‘Exit’ and ‘voice’ are, here interrelated: ‘exit’ primary led to ‘voice’ and ‘voice’ subsequently amplified ‘exit’. Ever since the GDR’s signing of the Helsinki Accords in 1975, the government had faced continuous request for departure, primarily to West Germany. Between 1977 and 1989 316,000 GDR citizens (not including pensioners) officially applied to leave the country for the first time; only 176,200 applicants (including ransoms by Bonn) actually received permission. More than 100,000 GDR citizens left the country in 1989 (up till September), and the West German embassies in Prague, Budapest and Warsaw became meccas for tens of thousands of refugees from the GDR.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the scope of research, problem statement, current literature, and the methodology utilized, including descriptive, analytical, and comparative approaches.
2. DEFINITIONS: Provides essential theoretical foundations and terminology, specifically regarding regionalism, the concept of a region, and the definition of transition phases.
3. THE TRANSITION OF THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: Details the collapse of the GDR's autocratic regime, the democratization process, and the subsequent socio-economic and political consolidation during reunification.
4. THE TRANSITION OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Analyzes the end of Communist rule, the ‘Velvet Revolution’, and the distinct consolidation path of Czechoslovakia, leading to its dissolution and the emergence of the Czech and Slovak Republics.
5. COMPARISON: Synthesizes the findings to contrast the specific transitional paths of East Germany and Czechoslovakia, highlighting differences in internal and external influences.
6. CONCLUSION: Summarizes the key findings and reflects on the consolidation status of these states in the modern international order.
Keywords
Federal Republic of Germany, German Democratic Republic, Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, regionalism, NATO, European Union, international organisations, transition, democratisation, consolidation, Velvet Revolution, Peaceful Revolution, reunification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on the democratic transition and consolidation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Czechoslovakia and their successor states, specifically within the post-1989 geopolitical landscape.
Which theoretical frameworks are applied?
The author uses Wolfgang Merkel’s framework of transition studies, two-level game theory, and domestic-level theory to categorize regionalism and institutional changes.
How does the author define the ‘transition’ process?
A transition is defined as the process of dissolving an old dominant structure and installing a new one (typically democracy) in politics, policy, economy, and society, occurring in three phases: the end of an autocratic system, democratization, and consolidation.
What is the role of ‘voice’ and ‘exit’ in the transition?
These terms describe the internal mechanisms of change: ‘exit’ refers to the mass departure of citizens from the GDR, while ‘voice’ represents the mass demonstrations (such as the ‘Monday Demonstrations’ and the ‘Velvet Revolution’) that pressured the regimes.
What specific economic indicators are analyzed for the successor states?
The research examines unemployment rates, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, and inflation rates to compare the economic health and development trajectories of the successor states.
Why are NATO and the EU central to this work?
Membership in these organizations serves as a primary indicator of successful political consolidation and the return to the international community, symbolizing integration and regional security.
What was the ‘Ten-Point Programme’?
Introduced by Helmut Kohl, it was a government declaration aimed at overcoming the division of Germany by connecting economic and humanitarian aid to the democratic transition within the GDR.
How did the dissolution of Czechoslovakia differ from the reunification of Germany?
While Germany’s transition involved the GDR being absorbed by West German structures, the dissolution of Czechoslovakia resulted in the creation of two separate, new independent states.
- Citar trabajo
- B.A. Eric Holtschke (Autor), 2014, The Democratic Transition of Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic and their Successor States, with Particular Focus on the Geopolitical Framework after 1989, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/286699
