The Origins Of Post-war German Politics (rle: German Politics) (routledge Library Editions: German Politics) (volume 10)

This book discusses how the allies worked towards determining the political future of a defeated Germany. It oulines how the deep ideological divisions within the allied forces ultimately resulted in the division of Germany and discusses how indigenous political movements were impeded by a deeply felt distrust of German nationalism in all organisations. Yes these considerations are seen in the context of the masive logistical problems faced by the allies in restoring order to the chaos of war-ravaged Germany. Focusing on the experiences of Hanover, the book illustrates how post-war German politics are the result of a coalescence of distinct and at times even contradictory ideologies and interests, emphasising how the German political scene can only be understood in terms of the mutual interaction of personalities, beliefs and economics and of indigenous and foreign influences. Widely praised in its first edition, the second edition of The GDR was updated to cover events through the spring of 1988, examining in particular the impact of new leadership in both Bonn and Moscow and of the changing world economy on the prospects of the GDR. Shows that post-war German politics are the result of a coalescence of distinct and sometimes contradictory ideologies and interests.