Stasi State or Workers’ Paradise (book notes)

 Stasi State or Workers’ Paradise – socialism in the German Democratic Republic and what became of it


Have you ever read a book that makes you furious but you are helpless because the book was about another place and another time?


This book is about the erstwhile German Gemocratic Republic, the 'Socialist' East Germany that existed until 1990 and was usurped by capitalism like all other countries of the Eastern block. 


The book goes in to immense detail of breaking down how the country worked in almost every walk of the society.


In 40 years of its existence GDR went from a war torn country that paid huge reparations to the USSR, to being a self sufficient country that made immense progress in science, technology, arts, Gender equality, sports and so much else. 


It provides equal opportunity for women, free healthcare, childcare, sports facilities, art and leisure, a rugged public transport and affordable housing. Put simply it was a workers paradise.


Another important part of the book is its constant comparison of the two Germanys in how they dealt with different things including the de-Nazification. Needless to say West Germany accomodated almost all of the Nazis remaining in Germany except a select few and went as far as to pay them pensions and give them postions of power including the highest of offices.


In the end, the impending fall of the USSR emboldened the West German government to actively involve, sabotage, propagandise and finally assimilate the GDR. As with the USSR and other countries of the Eastern block, the people expected to retain their safe and sound lives and also enjoy the supposed fruits of consumer capitalism and so also voted to unify. Only to later realise it was all a facade and capitalism was, well capitalism that favored only a few and exploited the majority. 


Most of West Germany's social structure was systematically dismantled, Industries closed down or sold at street prices, cooperatives put in debt. Effectively pushing back the GDR all 40 years in time. 


All of this is done, as the authors identify, by the continued influence of the Nazi idealogy that was never done away with in the East Germany ruling alleys.


In the conclusion the authors list a few of the country's achievements


Some of the most significant achievements include:

the abolition of class privilege and the introduction of greater equality of income distribution

elimination of land and property speculation

restricting the influence of banks and other large financial institutions

equal rights for women

access to education for all

promotion of the co-operative idea.


To sum up, this book further reinforces my faith in socialism as the only way that can provide any kind of equality to human kind especially to the oppressed.

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