Party Governance, Political Culture and the Transformation of East Germany since 1990

Abstract

Building on the analysis of political culture and democracy in post-war Germany, this article examines and contrasts the relationship between state and citizenry in West and East Germany before and after unification. It argues that far from replicating the West German model, support for party governance has declined in eastern Germany as transformation failed to meet expectations of material stability and social justice. With special reference to modes of political action, the paper explores the escalation of right-wing activism from the GDR-era into a youth culture that turns commonly held reservations against migration and the settlement of 'foreigners' in east Germany into xenophobic violence.

Keywords:

• Political Culture
• Democracy
• Post-War Germany
• Unification
• Right-Wing Activism
• Xenophobic Violence