Inside Party Headquarters: Organizational Culture and Practice of Rule in the Socialist Unity Party of Germany

Maintaining the "party line" in all areas of society was the key to everyday life in the East German Socialist Unity Party. Rüdiger Bergien's book focuses on the central party's communist apparatus, examining their role as ideological watchdogs and fostering an underbelly and "inner life" for their employees to integrate the party's pillars.

Format: Hardback
Length: 486 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

In the East German Socialist Unity Party, daily life was heavily centered around upholding the "party line" across all aspects of society, whether through direct authority or corruption. This pervasive influence extended over a significant period of the GDR's history, spanning from 1946 to 1989. Rüdiger Bergien, in his groundbreaking study, delves into the intricate complexities of the central party's communist apparatus. He specifically focuses on their role as ideological watchdogs, fostering an environment that encouraged the integration of the party's pillars into East German society.

Inside Party Headquarters: A Review of Power and State Interaction in the East German Socialist Unity Party not only examines the party's modes of power and their interactions with the state but also delves into the processes of negotiation and disputation preceding formal Politburo decisions. This book offers a wealth of detailed information and insights into this formative and volatile period of German history.

The East German Socialist Unity Party, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD), exerted a profound influence on every aspect of society. The party's ideology, known as Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, guided all political, economic, and social decisions. Members of the party, known as "party members," were expected to adhere to the party line and promote its values in their daily lives.

One of the key ways in which the party maintained control was through its apparatus, which included the Politburo, the Central Committee, and the State Security Service (Stasi). The Politburo, the highest decision-making body, was composed of senior party officials who were responsible for implementing the party's policies. The Central Committee, in turn, was responsible for overseeing the work of the party's branches and departments. The Stasi, meanwhile, was a secret police force that monitored and controlled the activities of individuals and organizations suspected of opposing the party.

The party's ideology was deeply embedded in East German society, and its influence extended beyond the political sphere. The party's principles were taught in schools, workplaces, and cultural institutions, and they were reinforced through propaganda campaigns and state-sponsored events. The party also controlled the media, ensuring that its message was disseminated widely and that any dissenting voices were silenced.

Despite the party's strict control, there were still pockets of resistance and opposition. The Berlin Wall, built in 1961, served as a physical manifestation of the party's control over the country, dividing East and West Berlin and preventing East Germans from fleeing to the West. However, there were also underground movements and dissident groups that sought to challenge the party's authority.

One of the most notable figures in the resistance movement was the playwright and activist Georg Dreyman, who was arrested and executed by the Stasi in 1974. Dreyman's work, including plays such as The Good Soldier Schweik and The Mother, depicted the struggles of ordinary East Germans under the regime and criticized the party's policies.

In conclusion, everyday life in the East German Socialist Unity Party was heavily influenced by the party's ideology and its apparatus of control. The party's modes of power and state interaction, as well as the processes of negotiation and disputation preceding formal Politburo decisions, were closely monitored and controlled by the party. Despite the party's strict control, there were still pockets of resistance and opposition, and the legacy of the GDR's history continues to be a subject of debate and analysis.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805390480