Dimensionen des Verrats: Politische Denunziation in der DDR

The study analyzes political denunciation in the GDR from different perspectives, including communicative specifics, institutional context, and acts of betrayal. It develops a typology of unofficial employees of the state security and identifies the argumentation topoi used by informers for self-justification. The motives of informers are difficult to determine precisely based on the sources.

Format: Hardback
Length: 287 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG

The study delves into the realm of political denunciation in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from various angles, seeking to understand the intricacies of this phenomenon. It distinguishes between the communicative nuances of written letters, telephone calls, and personal appearances at the police station, as well as within the institutional framework of organized informal activities. Building upon this analysis, the author endeavors to develop a typology of unofficial state security employees based on the content of the denounced information. Additionally, the study explores acts of betrayal in diverse social contexts, such as within families, among friends, at work, or among strangers, highlighting significant variations in the loyalties involved. While the question of the informers' motives is of immense societal interest, it remains largely elusive due to the limitations of the available sources. Consequently, the author's focus shifts to identifying the argumentative topoi employed by the informers to justify their actions.

The study delves into the realm of political denunciation in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from various angles, seeking to understand the intricacies of this phenomenon. It distinguishes between the communicative nuances of written letters, telephone calls, and personal appearances at the police station, as well as within the institutional framework of organized informal activities. Building upon this analysis, the author endeavors to develop a typology of unofficial state security employees based on the content of the denounced information. Additionally, the study explores acts of betrayal in diverse social contexts, such as within families, among friends, at work, or among strangers, highlighting significant variations in the loyalties involved. While the question of the informers' motives is of immense societal interest, it remains largely elusive due to the limitations of the available sources. Consequently, the author's focus shifts to identifying the argumentative topoi employed by the informers to justify their actions.

Dimension: 237 x 160 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783525302149