GERMAN POLITICAL CULTURE

Term Paper

Course : European political cultures

Professor : Lect .Dr. Cristina Petrescu

Author : Rusu Catalin SPE III

-May 2013-

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. On German political culture . 3 2. The analysis o the main political eatures ! 2.1 The "aa#er-Meinho Comple$ ...! 2.2 %as &un#er 'on "ern ( 2.3 Goo#)ye *enin+ .11 3. Conclusions 13

ON GERMAN POLITICAL CULTURE

,n or#er to summari-e the mo#ern history o Germany./00art 1immermann is o the opinion that2There are e3 nation-states 3hose political culture presents as much o a pu--le as the German one41.This ar5ument is supporte# )y certain characteristics o the German political culture such as 2more nei5h)ors aroun# her than any other /uropean state6a territorial e$pansion a ter the Munich a5reement o 173(.almost as 5reat as that o the o'erstretche# nineteenth-century "ismarc0 empire6the uncon#itional surren#er in 17!8 9: an# the #i'ision o Germany into t3o states )y 17!7.only or them to )e su##enly reunite# in 17(74.2 The main ;uestion pose# )y 1immermann re ers to the #e5ree to 3hich the German state can )ene it rom sta)ility an# prosperity on the accounts o a reuni ication o t3o contrastin5 political cultures.&e tal0 a)out a country 3hich su ere# )ecause o the #ismantle o non-#emocratic political constructions.The #ilemma is raise# )y the act that apart rom the ailure o the <oly Roman /mpire an# the German /mpire.the 20 th century mar0e# the complete ailure o the &eimar Repu)lic an# o the =a-i re5ime le# )y >#ol <itler.The year 3hich mar0e# the clima$ o #e eats is 17!8.,t is the moment 3hen Germany su ere# the loss in the ?econ# &orl# &ar.surren#erin5 @ust as it #i# in the conte$t o the Airst &orl# &ar.There ore.ho3 can a state )e reconstructe# on the ashes o a nation in luence# )y its t3o )i55est #e eats in historyB The economic an# political system o /ast an# &est Germany ha# to )e su)@ecte# to a process o reconstruction.,n the li5ht o reuni ication.the 2le5acy o history4 3as at the )asis o the stren5th o the &est-German political culture3 3hereas the /astern counterpart 3as o)li5e# to learn rom its mista0es in or#er to correct its cultural ailure #urin5 the perio# o the Col# &ar.The mi$ 3hich resulte# a ter the all o the "erlin 3all ha# to )e ta0en into account as a com)ination o stren5th an# 3ea0ness.o reco'ery an#
1

/00art 1immermann. CGermany.C in Ro5er /at3ell. e#.. /uropean Political Cultures: Con lict or Con'er5enceB 9*on#on: Routle#5e. 177D: .p.(( 2 ,)i#. 3 /00art 1immermann. CGermany.C in Ro5er /at3ell. e#.. /uropean Political Cultures: Con lict or Con'er5enceB 9*on#on: Routle#5e. 177D: .p.(7

)ac03ar#ness.,t 3as the main issue 3hich #ominate# the German political culture in the years 3hich mar0e# the )e5innin5 o the 70s.

T E ANAL!SIS OF T E MAIN POLITICAL FEATURES

THE BAADER-MEINHOF COMPLEX
The main ocus o the scenes o the 2"aa#er-Meinho Comple$4 mo'ie is on the conte$t o the political culture o &est Germany #urin5 the 17E0s an# 17D0s.,t has the a)ility to present the main characteristics o the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany throu5h the terrorist actions o the 5roup lea# )y the youn5sters le# )y >n#reas "aa#er an# the le t3in5 oriente# @ournalist.Flri0e Meinho .The opposition o the youn5sters to the actions o the German Go'ernment is cause# )y the act that the so-calle# 2imperialistic 3ar4 in Gietnam is supporte# )y the lea#ers o the ARG.The )irth o the Re# >rmy Aaction as it 3ill )e calle# the "aa#er-Meinho 5roup is lin0e# 3ith the stu#ent mo'ement 3hich emer5e# in &est Germany as a response to the authoritarianism o the 5o'ernment as 3ell an# to the precarious li'in5 con#itions o &est-German stu#ents.This orm o protest 3hich erupte# in the last years o the 17E0s ha# a 3orl#3i#e impact on the le t3in5 acti'ists.,n or#er to tal0 a)out the contrast )et3een the political culture o the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany an# the i#eolo5y an# policy o the Re#->rmy Aaction there has to )e #ra3n a clear line )et3een the t3o. The #i'ision o Germany 3hich too0 place at the )e5innin5 o the Col# &ar points out that Germany 3as not only #i'i#e# 5eo5raphically )ut also politically.,t sho3s ho3 the Col# &ar opponents mana5e# to in luence German politics throu5h the )irth o /ast Germany in the occupation -one 3hich )elon5e# to the ?o'iet Fnion an# the )irth o the &est Germany on the territory )elon5in5 to the occupation -one o the &estern >llies:F?>.Great "ritain an# Arance.The #i'ision o "erlin into its /astern an# &estern counterparts is not only territorial )ut political.On the one han#.3e tal0 a)out a state #ominate# )y principles o socialism.a satellite o po3er or the ?o'iet Fnion in the lon5term con lict 3ith the Fnite# ?tates.,ts 'alues 3ere similar to the ones o the F??R.

ha'in5 a state-o3ne# economy an# a political culture su)@ecte# to the characteristics o Mar$ist-*eninist socialism.On the other han#.&est Germany is #e ine# as a Ae#eral Parliamentary Repu)lic.,n a##ition to the orm o 5o'ernment.the state is characteri-e# throu5h its stron5 cooperation 3ith the &estern orces.Arance an# F?>.an ali5nment 3ith the &estern cultural.political an# economic 'alues.,n the li5ht o the &orl# &ar T3o.the economic re'i'al o the ARG 3as possi)le only )ecause o the support o the Fnite# ?tates throu5h the means o the Marshall Plan. ,n the conte$t o the mo'ie.the 17E0s can )e characteri-e# as 2a #omestic crisis4 o the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany.This can )e e$plaine# throu5h the historical importance o the >#enauer /ra 3hich came to an en# in 17E3.Chancellor >#enauer mana5e# to put the )asis o the reconstruction o the state in the a termath o the ?econ# &orl# &ar.The state 3hich 3as on the 'er5e o economic collapse 3as trans orme# into a po3er ul nation #urin5 the >#enauer /ra especially )ecause o the cooperation 3ith the &esterns.The coalition o >#enauer en#e# in a perio# 3hen economic 5ro3th 3as su)@ecte# to a se'ere #ecrease.The most stri0in5 in#icator is the 5ro3th rate : it 2e'ol'e#4 rom !.DH in 17E2 to a rate o 2H in 17E3.%urin5 the perio# o >#enauerIs successor.*u#3i5 /rhar#.economy into e'en #eeper recession an# the imme#iate conse;uence 3as his su)stitution 3ith Jurt Geor5 Jissin5er.<is 2Gran# Coalition4 3as orme# )et3een the most important &est-German parties: the C%F an# the ?ocial %emocratic Party 9?P%:.The main e ect on the political culture o ARG is represente# )y the ne3 pro'isions or emer5ency acts.,n other 3or#s.t3o-thir#s ma@orities 3ere re;uire# or the enactment o ne3 emer5ency acts.This contro'ersial rulin5 3hich restricte# human an# constitutional ri5hts impose# limite# ree#om o speech an# mo'ement.The ne5ati'e conse;uence o this #ecision is mar0e# )y the opposition o the Aree%emocratic Party as 3ell as the la)or unions an# ?tu#ent mo'ements 3hich 3ill emer5e at the en# o the 17E0s.These mo'ements le# to the appearance o the "aa#er-Meinho Group 3hich 3ill )ecome the Re# K>rmy Aaction R>A is #escri)e# as the most important le t-3in5 oriente# 5roup 3hich 3as oun#e# in the a termath o the ?econ# &orl# &ar on the territory o the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany.,ts creators are youn5 le tist militants such as >n#reas "aa#er an# Gu#run /nsslin an# the le t-3in5 oriente# @ournalist.Flri0e Meinho .%e ine# )y a

communist i#eolo5y an# an anti-imperialistic policy.the 5roup acte# a5ainst the actions o the Go'ernment o the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany 3hich aime# to put the )asis o an imperialist po3er.The contrast )et3een the Re# >rmy Aaction an# the political culture o ARG is pointe# out throu5h the 3or#s o the @ournalist Flri0e Meinho 2the only ree#om here 9&est Germany: is or the police4 3ho a##itionally states that the protest o the stu#ents pro'es that 23e li'e in a police state4. ,n opposition to the actions o the Re# >rmy Aaction./00art 1immermann states that 2T e s!oot transition "ro! C ristian-De!ocrat #o!inate# coalitions #urin$ %&'&%&()*to t e +ran# Coalition*to a ,ocial-De!ocrat le#-$o-ern!ent a"ter %&(&*"urt er un#erline# t e #e!ocratic nor!alc. o" t e s.ste!/ ' .&e can #e#uct that the actions o the le tist 5roups 3ere hea'ily in luence# )y the economic theory o Mar$ )ecause their cree# 3as that the &est-German economy 3ill le# to an e'en )i55er 5ap )et3een the lo3er class an# the rich.The actions o R>A are i#entical 3ith le t 3in5 terrorism 3hich is 0no3n as the set o action ha'in5 the ultimate 5oal the 2o'erthro3 o capitalist 5o'ernments an# their replacement 3ith Mar$ist-*eninist socialism48. The political culture o the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany is incompati)le 3ith the i#eolo5y o the 5roup le# )y >n#reas "aa#er an# Flri0e Meinho .The opposition o the ARG to the /astern counterpart is un#erline# throu5h the act that until the 17D0s.the Ae#eral Go'ernment #i#nIt reco5ni-e as le5itimate the 5o'ernment o the German %emocratic Repu)lic.Fntil 2=eue Ostpoliti04 3hich reco5nise# the 5o'ernment o /ast Germany as a 2#e acto4 )o#y there 3as no connection 3ith the political elite o the G%R. There is no sha#o3 o #ou)t that the measures ta0en at the en# o 17E0s an# the support o the >merican inter'ention in Gietnam are the t3o main reasons 3hich le# to the #iscontent o the le tist militants.,n terms o political culture.Mar$ism-*eninism is characteri-e# )y e5alitarianism.class con lict an# anti Kimperialistic an# anti- ascist policy an# this is the mo#el 3hich the Re# >rmy Aaction 3ante# to impose 3ithin the &est-German society.The 3or#s o Flri0e 3ho a irme# that 2the only ree#om here is or the police4 are #etermine# )y the act that the German stu#ent "enno Ohnesor5 en#e#
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/00art 1immermann. CGermany.C in Ro5er /at3ell. e#.. /uropean Political Cultures: Con lict or Con'er5enceB 9*on#on: Routle#5e. 177D: .p.7E 8 http:LLen.3i0ipe#ia.or5L3i0iL*e t-3in5MterrorismNciteMnote-"roc0ho Mp.M1D-(

up )ein5 shot in the hea# )y police o icer.Jarl-<ein- Jurras.Oears a ter this e'ent it 3as re'eale# that the o icer ha# )een a mem)er o ?/&.the &est "erlin Communist Party.,n a##ition.he 3or0e# or the Ministry or ?tate ?ecurity also 0no3n as ?tasi 3hich 3as in act the state security ser'ice o /ast Germany."ase# on these assumptions that 2a police state4 #ominates the Ae#eral Repu)lic.many le tist militants @oine# the cause o >n#reas "aa#er an# Flri0e Meinho . &hen it comes to the perio# o the 17D0s./00art 1immermann a irms that 2 T e sta0ilit. o" 1est +er!an societ.*2 ic once a$ain 0eca!e apparent in an#lin$ t e t2o oil price s oc3s o" %&45 an# %&67*allo2e# it to 0eco!e !ore an# !ore o" an attracti-e !o#el*!i8in$ !ar3et incenti-es 2it state pro-isions an# 9$uaranteein$/its in a0itants a i$ stan#ar# o" li-in$/( .,t has to )e emphasi-e# that the 17D0s #eca#e 3as mar0e# )y the terrorist actions o the Re# >rmy Aaction.>lthou5h the oun#ers 3ere ine$perience# or#inary citi-ens.the 5roup mana5e# to e'ol'e rom actin5 at a local scale to a national one.attractin5 more than se'en million supporters.,ts #e'elopment is #e ine# )y the pro5ress pointe# out throu5h the terrorist actions #irecte# to the pu)lic institutions o &est Germany .Their operations aime# to catch the eye o the Ae#eral Go'ernment.the only 2responsi)le4 or the appearance o this militant 5uerilla 5roup.The contrast )et3een the political 'alues o &est Germany an# the i#eolo5y o the Re# >rmy Aaction le# to terrorism. One o the most interestin5 acts a)out this contra#iction o i#eals has to )e the sur'i'al o the Re# >rmy Aaction e'en thou5h its oun#ers 3ere arreste# a ter the )om) attac0s #irecte# to German authorities an# >merican military personnel 3ith the )ase in Ae#eral Germany.The appearance o the 2?econ# Generation4 sho3s that althou5h &est Germany can )e seen as a mo#el o economic an# political success .its society is #isrupte# on the )asis o the clea'a5e )et3een the ri5ht-3in5 oriente# an# the le tist militants.,t has to )e state# that the operations o this 2Generation4 3ere tar5ete# to important pu)lic o icials o the state.They use# 0i#nappin5 an# assassination as tools o terror a5ainst the Ae#eral Prosecutor ?ie5 rie# "u)ac0.the Presi#ent o %res#ner "an0. Pur5en Ponto an# <anns Martin-?chleyer.the Presi#ent o the /mployersI >ssociation.,t

/00art 1immermann. CGermany.C in Ro5er /at3ell. e#.. /uropean Political Cultures: Con lict or Con'er5enceB 9*on#on: Routle#5e. 177D: .p.7E

ha# to un#erline the protest o the Re# >rmy Aaction a5ainst the a5ainst o the 5o'ernment 3hich re use# to release the oun#ers o the 5roup. To sum up.3e ha'e to a irm that the main point o the 2"aa#er-Meinho Comple$4 mo'ie is the contrast 5enerate# )y the political culture o &est Germany in the 17E0s an# 17D0s in relation 3ith the appearance o a le t-militant 5roup 3hich aime# to attract sympathi-ers throu5h its 'iolent actions in or#er to chan5e the policy o the Ae#eral ?tate in economic.political an# #iplomatic terms.

DA, 1:NDER ;OR BERN

The action o 2%as &un#er 'on "ern4 ta0es place in 178! ha'in5 the purpose to present the political culture o the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany in the imme#iate a termath o the ?econ# &orl# &ar.Mar0e# )y a #isastrous 3ar 3hich en#e# 3ith the #e eat o the Germans an# 3ith the split o the state in t3o: the occupation -one o the &estern >llies an# the one )elon5in5 to the ?o'iet Fnion.The )irth o the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany 9&est Germany: an# o the German %emocratic Repu)lic 9 /ast Germany: 3as the proo o supreme #e eat an# such a #isrupte# society nee#e# a 2miracle4 in or#er to sur'i'e . ,n or#er to tal0 a)out the 2miracles4 3hich too0 place 3ithin the &est-German society.it has to )e emphasi-e# that the mo'ie has t3o main storylines:the roa# o the &est-German team to the 178! &orl# Cup inal an# the aith o the *u)ans0i amily. ,n the latter case.3e tal0 a)out ho3 the #estiny o a mother an# her three chil#ren is chan5e# )y the return rom the Russian camps o the ormer German prisoner o 3ar.Richar# *u)ans0y.The hea# o the amily returns a ter ele'en years to a lan# that is unreco5ni-a)le to him an# to a amily that is shoc0e# )y his alienation o reality.The portrait o the *u)ans0i amily an# the ima5es in 3hich it is presente# their nei5h)orhoo# in the city o /ssen help us to create an ima5e o the &est-German political culture in the outcome o the ?econ# &orl# &ar. The scenes presentin5 /ssen ha'e the purpose to sho3 the con#itions in 3hich people li'e#.> city #ominate# )y po'erty 3ith streets surroun#e# )y heaps o #e)ris an# houses #ama5e# )y the )rutal con lict 3hich mar0e# the #e eat o Germany.The poor

economic con#ition o &est-Germany is un#erline# e'en )etter )y the act that chil#ren play oot)all 3ith an impro'ise# )all.%aily li e is #e ine# )y a inancial stru55le to sur'i'e a5ainst the economic )ur#en o a state 3hich has to )e reconstructe# a ter a #isastrous collapse.The irony is that /ssen is locate# in a main in#ustrial re5ion #ominate# )y minin5 )ut this interestin5 act has to sho3 that po'erty 3as the 5eneral characteristic o Germany. The irst 2miracle4 3itnesse# re5ar#s the e'olution o the ormer prisoner o 3ar.The #ilemma 3hich stri0es the min# o ormer prisoners o 3ar is #e ine# )y the contrast )et3een the t3o ima5es o the society .The irst one is #e ine# )y the prosperous state.the 3orl# po3er that 3as Germany at the en# o the 1730s.The current ima5e is #istorte# )ecause it presents a state on the 'er5e o collapse. amilies 3ith no inancial uture an# a society 3hich stru55les in or#er to sur'i'e.This is the parallel that shoc0s Richar# *u)ans0i.,n or#er to restore the ol# 'alues.he tries to impose #iscipline 3ithin the mem)ers o the amily.mana5in5 to )ecome a stran5er e'en to his 3i e.This psycholo5ical eature o the ormer prisoners o 3ar mi5ht also )e e$plaine# throu5h the act that they are still shoc0e# o the hell they ha'e 3itnesse# #urin5 3ar time.&ithout a sha#o3 o #ou)t.the scene 3hich mar0s the 2miracle4 is the one in 3hich *u)ans0i ta0es his little son name# Mattes on a roa# trip to the 178! &orl# Cup Ainal in "ern. ,n or#er to tal0 a)out the eatures o the &est-German political culture.there has to )e pointe# out an important character:"runo.the ol#er )rother o Mattes.<e is the only #ominate# )y a complete re@ection o the =a-i past.)ein5 per ectly portraye# )y the 3or#s o his ather:4a )i5 mouth 3ith Communist i#eas4.The reasons 3hich le# to his #eparture to /ast "erlin are 'ery 3ell #escri)e# )y the scene in 3hich he says to Mattes 2/'eryone is e;ual there.ThereIs no rich or poor an# no unemployment.ThereIs ree#om o speech4.This is a certain eature that sho3s the #espair 3hich #ominate# the Ae#eral Repu)lic an# the act that some &est-Germans mi5ht e'en tra'el to the /astern counterpart. #ominate# )y e;uality an# socialism.>nother reason that lea#s to the #eparture o "runo is lin0e# 3ith the psycholo5ical con#ition o a ormer prisoner o 3ar 3ho isnIt a)le to chan5e his mentality.,t is a common act.a 'ali# characteristic or the &est-German political culture )ecause amilies ha# to reach a )rea0in5 point in or#er to

sur'i'e the precarious li'in5 con#itions.Aor the ormer prisoners o 3ar.the main test 3as to ace the cruel reality o a totally chan5e# 3orl#. >nother tool throu5h 3hich the #irector mana5e# to illustrate certain eatures o the political culture is the contrast o ima5es )et3een the scenes shot in /ssen an# the ones shot #urin5 the &orl# Cup Tournament in ?3it-erlan#.,t is the #i erence )et3een t3o 3orl#s.one o them #estroye# an# torn to pieces 3hereas the other one loo0in5 )ri5ht an# prosperous.This can )e e$plaine# throu5h the act that ?3it-erlan# 3as not in'a#e# #urin5 the t3o 3orl# con licts 3hich #ominate# the 20 th century.,nstea# o )ein5 in'ol'e#.?3it-erlan# opte# or neutrality an# #urin5 the ?econ# &orl# &ar remaine# in#epen#ent throu5h its cooperation 3ith Germany.This is ;uite 3ell emphasi-e# throu5h the scenes in 3hich ?3it-erlan# seems to )e a colore# nation.#ominate# )y sta)ility an# peace.On the other si#e.3e see narro3 streets an# small )uil#in5s 3ith no splash o color 3hatsoe'er.The scenes shot in /ssen seem to )e #ominate# )y #ar0ness an# lac0 o harmony.,n other 3or#s.3e ha'e the ima5e o a 3orl# in 3hich society 3itnesse# a catastrophic outcome o the 3ar 3hereas in the case o the ?3iss political culture 3e i#enti y harmony.prosperity an# sta)ility. The secon# miracle o the mo'ie culminates 3ith the 'ictory o &est-Germany o'er <un5ary in the 178! &orl# Cup Ainal hel# in "ern.The 3hole tournament can )e associate# 3ith the 178! political culture o the Ae#eral Repu)lic.The Germans 3ere seen a ailure an# this 3as a##itionally pointe# out )y the (-3 loss a5ainst <un5ary in the Group ?ta5e.The outcome o the match sho3e# t3o torn apart uni'erses unite# )y #espair an# #istrust.Aurthermore.the #e eat o the national team ampli ie# the restlessness o the German society.> miracle appears 3hen the ormer prisoner o 3ar re#isco'ers the pleasure to play oot)all.the scene )ein5 associate# 3ith the E-1 'ictory o'er the >ustrians in the ?emi inal o the &orl# Cup.The scenes presentin5 the Ainal o the &orl# Cup sho3 ho3 a nation li'e# throu5h its national team.ho3 a oot)all miracle mar0e# a 2miracle43ithin the German society.The une$pecte# 3in o'er the <un5arians is connecte# 3ith the moo# o an entire nation.,t is su55este# that the 3innin5 o the 178! &orl# Cup can )e consi#ere# the #ate 3hen the Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany 3as )orn.The i#ea that stri0es the min# o the 'ie3er is that the political culture o Germany 3as re'i'e# throu5h this oot)all miracle.

10

,n or#er to conclu#e.it has to )e state# that the mo'ie 2%as &un#er 'on "ern4 points out the con#ition o the German society in the li5ht o the ?econ# &orl# &ar e'ents )y usin5 certain alle5ories an# contrasts 3hich mana5e to shape the ima5e o a #isrupte# an# #ama5e# 3orl#.

+OODB<E*LENIN=
Goo#)ye *enin+ is one o the most 3ell-acclaime# mo'ies 3hich presents the reality o the /ast-German political culture in the perio# o the Col# &ar.The main tar5et o the mo'ie is to present the 2)ri#5e4 that #i'i#e# the /ast an# the &est in the a termath o the ?econ# &orl# &ar )y pointin5 out throu5h irony certain #i erences o the t3o German societies.The t3o 3orl#s are presente# simultaneously.an alle5ory to the act that any type o cultural or political #i'ision can )e o'ercome. The scene 3hich #etermines the se;uence o e'ents sho3s the #emonstration o /ast Germans a5ainst the e$istence o a 3all that #i'i#es the t3o German states.,t points out a certain eature o the 17(7 German %emocratic Repu)lic.a society #ominate# )y #iscontent o the act that the results o local 5o'ernment elections 3ere rau#e#.The perio# o 17(8-17(7 is characteri-e# as )ein5 the #ecline o the /ast-German state an# one o the main reasons 3hich le# to the #isaster is emphasi-e# )y /00art 1immermann 3ho a irms 2/ast Germany 3as close to )an0ruptcy in the 17(0s #ue to cuts in ?o'iet oil supply an# the e$haustion o her o3n resources.Therea ter she ha# to rely hea'ily on cre#it rom the &est an# on her o3n sur ace )ro3n coal.causin5 5i5antic ecolo5ical #ama5e4D.The ?o'iet mo#el impose# 3ithin G%R came to an en#.this )ein5 a clear-cut case that ollo3e# the path o ormer /astern communist re5imes 3hich ell in 17(7. The scene presentin5 the #emonstration o the /ast-Germans culminates 3ith the moment 3hen Christiane Jerner sees her son >le$ 5ettin5 )eaten )y the police orces.> ter passin5 out .she alls into a coma.?he 3a0es up in a perio# 3hen Germany 3as no lon5er #i'i#e# )ecause o the all o the "erlin &all.>lthou5h Germany 3as reunite#.the #octors a#'ise >le$ to 0eep his mother sa e in or#er to not create a shoc0
D

/00art 1immermann. CGermany.C in Ro5er /at3ell. e#.. /uropean Political Cultures: Con lict or Con'er5enceB 9*on#on: Routle#5e. 177D: .p.7!

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that 3oul# lea# to her #eath.Thus.he 3ants to recreate the uni'erse o /ast-Germany in or#er to in#uce to his mother the act that nothin5 happene# 3hile she 3as in a coma.,t is the action that outlines the antithesis )et3een the t3o German 3orl#s.The political culture o the t3o ormer #i'isions o Germany are pointe# out throu5h the actions o >le$ 3hich are in accor#ance 3ith the 3ishes o his mother. The transition rom socialism to #emocracy.the su)stitution o censorship 3ith ree#om o speech an# the 3esterni-ation o the German state is sho3e# throu5h the scenes presente# 3hile Christiane 3as in coma."y presentin5 the ni5ht spent )y >le$ in a clu) or the act that Coca-Cola )e5an to )e sol# in the German shops.the #irector aime# to un#erline the 3ay in 3hich the political culture o the ne3ly-create# state 3as characteri-e# )y #emocracy an# li)erty instea# o 2)orro3in54 the political eatures o the German %emocratic Repu)lic.The contrast is also mar0e# )y the appearance o porno5raphy 3hich starte# to )e )roa#caste# throu5h ca)le tele'ision.>ll these scenes ha'e the capacity to point out the rapi# transition to 3hich the ormer /ast-Germany 3as su)@ecte#.&hat is e'en more interestin5 is that >le$ 3ante# to recreate the uni'erse o the ormer G%R in or#er to 0eep his mother sa e an# out o the #an5er o su erin5 a atal shoc0. The irony an# nostal5ia o the scenes has a po3er ul impact in sho3in5 ho3 /astGermany #i ere# rom the reuni ie# Ae#eral Repu)lic o Germany.The mentality o the ormer socialist state is en'isione# throu5h the 3ishes o Christiane.?he is the one 3ho misses the patriotic son5s .the taste o German pic0le# cucum)ers or e'en the content o a ne3scast.The act that >le$ has to stru55le in or#er to ul ill the 3ishes o his mother sho3s ho3 much has chan5e# the political culture o the state a ter reuni ication.Arom the ima5e o a #ecent li e 3hich 3as possi)le un#er socialism 3e are trans erre# into a 3orl# #ominate# )y a #i'ersity an# capitalistic opportunities.The character o Christiane Jerner is the per ect ima5e o the ormer resi#ents o /ast-Germany 3ho are nostal5ic o the historical past.a #ominant eature in the years 3hich ollo3e# the reuni ication o the t3o German states. &ithout a sha#o3 o #ou)t.the #irector ta0es into account the Jerner amily as a metaphor.as a tool throu5h 3hich /ast Germany is contrastin5 &est-Germany.The ather o >le$ 3ho le t Christiane or a 2&estern a air4 is the ima5e 3hich 5enerate# the

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loyalty o a #ama5e# 3i e to socialism an# its 'alues.The personal ailures o her character outlines the #iscrepancies that #i'i#e the t3o states.the contrast )et3een the peace ul an# human con#itions o the /ast in comparison 3ith the turmoil create# )y the &estern in luence.,n other 3or#s.the Jerner amily is an alle5ory.a #istinction )et3een )et3een the political an# cultural 'alues o t3o states #i'i#e# )y a 3all.The #e'otion o the 3oman to the 'alues o G%R such as the patriotic sho3s or the #epen#ence on the o3n pro#uction emphasi-es the reluctance o /ast Germany to orei5n pro#ucts.>nother alle5ory use# in or#er to present the ima5e o a reuni ie# state is represente# )y the 'isit pai# )y Ro)ert Jerner to his ailin5 3i e. 2Goo#)ye *enin+4 remains a amous cinemato5raphic masterpiece 3hich use# scenes an# characters in or#er to create a tra5icomic situation o the trans ormation o the ormer German %emocratic Repu)lic.The mo'ie uses the emotion o nostal5ia 3hen presentin5 the su)stitution o socialism 3ith capitalism 'alues 3hich #ominate# the entire spectrum o the political culture o Germany at the )e5innin5 o the 1770s. CONCLUSIONS The three masterpieces are rele'ant in or#er to un#erline the main characteristics o the German political culture in the li5ht o the secon# part o the 20 th century.They present the political an# historical conte$t throu5h comic or tra5ic scenes 3ith the usa5e o irony or reality.The 0ey element is #e ine# )y the #istinction sho3n )et3een the t3o 3orl#s.On the one han#.3e tal0 a)out an uni'erse 3hich is opene# to the &estern in luences.to the pro#ucts o Fnite# ?tates or Arance.On the other han#.it is the ima5e o a clone.a copy o the ?o'iet Fnion an# its principles.> catastrophic ?econ# &orl# &ar is i#enti ie# as the cause o this #omino e ect 3hich a ecte# the German society until reuni ication.3hen the t3o #istinct political cultures 3ere unite# )y 'alues such as German i#entity.patriotism.mo#erni-ation or #emocracy.,t is the cree# that le# to the all o the "erlin &all.a construction 3hich #i'i#e# a nation into t3o entities.

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