Deserved: Economic Memories After the Fall of the Iron Curtain

The book "Deserved" by Till Hilmar explores how people in East Germany and the Czech Republic adjusted to the postsocialist transition and its new system of values. It argues that people interpret life outcomes in individual terms, attaching moral judgments based on a person's fortunes in the job market. Hilmar's research sheds light on the moral imagination of capitalism and the experience of economic change, and offers a crucial perspective on present-day politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

After the fall of the Iron Curtain, a seismic shift occurred across the former socialist world, transforming the lives of people. In a mere span of years, labor markets were upended, and the very essence of work underwent a radical transformation. How did individuals who, one day, found themselves living under the strict regime of state socialism, only to transition to capitalist democracy the next, adapt to this rapidly changing social order and its novel set of values?

In his insightful book, Deserved: The Moral Imagination of Capitalism and the Experience of Economic Change, Till Hilmar delves into the memories of the postsocialist transition in East Germany and the Czech Republic. Through his meticulous examination, Hilmar offers fresh perspectives on the profound influence of narratives about economic transformation. Despite the undeniable structural nature of these economic shifts, individuals often interpret their life outcomes in personal terms. Deeply ingrained in their belief system is the notion that success and failure must be earned through individual effort, responsibility, and character. Consequently, they form moral judgments based on a person's fortunes in the job market, emphasizing personal responsibility and character as key determinants of one's worth.

Hilmar argues that these frameworks serve as means of making sense of the significant economic and social dislocations that followed the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989. People construct narratives of deservingness about themselves and others to navigate the challenges of belonging in a new social order. By emphasizing individual effort and moral worth, these narratives provide a sense of stability and order amidst the turmoil.

To explore these themes further, Hilmar conducted in-depth interviews with engineers and care workers, as well as conducted a comprehensive historical and comparative analysis of the breakdown of communism in Eastern Europe. Through his research, Deserved sheds new light on the moral imagination of capitalism and the experiences of economic change. This book also provides valuable insights into contemporary politics, highlighting how notions of deservingness and moral worth have fueled the rise of right-wing populism.

In conclusion, the fall of the Iron Curtain marked a pivotal moment in history, ushering in a new era of economic and social transformation. Till Hilmar's book, Deserved, offers a profound exploration of the ways in which individuals adapt to these changes and the moral frameworks that shape their understanding of success and failure. By examining the memories of the postsocialist transition, Hilmar provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of economic change and its impact on individuals and societies. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the moral dimensions of capitalism and the challenges posed by economic transformation.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231209786