WEST GERMAN INDUSTRIALISTS AND THE MAKING OF THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE a history of mentality and recovery;a history of mentality and recovery

West German Industrialists and the Making of the Economic Miracle investigates the mentality of post-war German (heavy) industrialists through an analysis of their attitudes, thinking and views on social, political and, of course, economic matters at the time, including the 'social market economy' and how they saw their own role in society, with this investigation taking place against the backdrop of the 'economic miracle' and the Cold War of the 1950s and 60s. The book also includes an assessment of whether the self-declared, new 'aristocracy of merit' justified its place in society and carried out its actions in a new spirit of political responsibility. This is an important text for all students interested in the history of Germany and the modern economic history of Europe. Cover page -- Halftitle page -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Contents -- Illustrations -- Tables -- Abbreviations -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Part I From War Criminals to Captains of Industry -- 1 The 'Missing Link': The Role of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Entrepreneurial Self-perception in the Immediate Post-war Period -- 2 Ways of 'Redemption': Public Relations, the IHG and the DII -- Part II The Miracle Makers: Industrialists and their Self-perception in the 'Economic Miracle' Period -- 3 The New 'Entrepreneur -- 4 'Americanization'? Leadership Recruitment and Training -- 5 Bürgerlichkeit : Culture and Honour, Upstarts and Old Elites -- 6 Politics: Business, Associations and the State -- Part III Business -- 7 Living with the 'Enemy': Trade Unions, Workers and Communists -- 8 Osthandel : Trading with the 'Enemy' -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index West German Industrialists and the Making of the Economic Miracle" investigates the mentality of post-war German (heavy) industrialists through an analysis of their attitudes, thinking and views on social, political and, of course, economic matters at the time, including the 'social market economy' and the fledgling European integration, with this investigation taking place against the backdrop of the 'economic miracle' and the Cold War of the 1950s and 60s. The book also includes an assessment of whether the self-declared, new 'aristocracy of merit' justified its place in society and carried out its actions in a new spirit of political responsibility. This is an important text for all students interested in the history of Germany and the modern economic history of Europe. Introduction -- The "missing link": the role of chambers of industry and commerce for entrepreneurial self-perception in the immediate post-war period -- Ways of redemption: public relations, the IHG and the DII -- The new "entrepreneur" -- "Americanization" leadership recruitment and training -- Bürgerlichkeit: culture and honour, upstarts and old elites -- Politics: business, association and the state -- Living with the "enemy": trade unions, worker representation and communists -- Osthandel: trading with the "enemy" -- Conclusion