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Conflict and Compromise in East Germany, 1971–1989 A Precarious Stability Jeannette Z. Madarász Conflict and Compromise in East Germany, 1971–1989 This page intentionally left blank Conflict and Compromise in East Germany, 1971–1989 A Precarious Stability Jeannette Z. Madarász © Jeannette Z. Madarász 2003 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The author has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published 2003 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS and 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010 Companies and representatives throughout the world PALGRAVE MACMILLAN is the global academic imprint of the Palgrave Macmillan division of St. Martin’s Press, LLC and of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Macmillan® is a registered trademark in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries. Palgrave is a registered trademark in the European Union and other countries. ISBN 1–4039–1568–7 hardback This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Madarász, Jeannette Z., 1973– Conflict and compromise in East Germany, 1971–1989/ Jeannette Z. Madarász. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1–4039–1568–7 1. Germany (East)—Social conditions. 2. Social groups—Germany (East). I. Title. HN460.5.A8M33 2003 306⬘.0943⬘1—dc21 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 Printed and bound in Great Britain by Antony Rowe Ltd, Chippenham and Eastbourne 2003040520 To my parents, Albert and Bärbel Madarász This page intentionally left blank Contents Preface x Acknowledgements xi Glossary xii 1 Introduction 1 Introduction The four groups Historiography Totalitarianism Useful alternatives Writers Women Youth Christians Sources and methods Periodisation Structure Summary 1 2 5 5 8 10 12 14 15 17 21 24 25 2 Central Policy 27 Honecker after Ulbricht Integration and social policy ‘Wer die Jugend hat, der besitzt die Zukunft’ Control and privilege ‘Muttipolitik’ – the regime’s greatest success? Changing stereotypes Inspiration and loyalty The threat of a ‘Kirchenkampf’ Common issues A dangerous link Problems of policy Loss of continuity vii 27 30 32 33 37 40 42 46 51 52 53 55 viii Contents 3 State Institutions Success and failure Shaping the young generation Limitations of the FDJ The role of Margot Honecker Institutional shortcomings and emancipation The DFD Controlling the written word The work of censorship institutions Dealing with an outsider – the Churches The CDU An alternative institution Summary 4 Diversity Self-perception of the four groups The female approach Female writers as facilitators of change The established writer The alternative literary scene Young rebels Young people’s attitudes Christian youth – a different experience Christians and the state Christian women The isolation of Christian writers Conclusion 5 Tensions Social division: a consequence of privilege Implications of forced confo