Political Structures of Germany

Rechtsstaat: written constitution,independent judiciary, human rights,freedom of speech; right to privateproperty (Basic Law, 1949, p.87)

Political Parties: Linkspartei, the Greens, SPD, FDP, CDU, CSU Bundestag: German ParliamentBundesrat: “upper house,” represent-ation of Länder

Economic Structures

Service-oriented industryrole of exports extraordinarilyimportant (world’s largest exporter)German Federal BankFederal Cartel OfficeImportance of interest groups, suchas Employer’s associations, trade Unions, industrial relations = dualSystem (works constitution law), German economy and the EU

Berlin since 1989 + EU

Berliner RepublikMajor changes in the 90sBerlin Through the eyes of Senocakand ÖzdamarGermany and the EU

How is Berlin portrayed in Stasiland andIn Good Bye, Lenin! ?

GDR and Re-unification

Soviet Occupation, 1945-1949Transformation, 1949-1961 Consolidation, 1961-1971Honecker era, 1971-1989Political institutions within the GDR:SED, Politbüro, Central CommitteeStasi, reasons for collapse of GDR3 phases of unification: protest, politicalmovement, international agreement

Communication between EastAnd West

Changes in language and expressionsChanges in social services (childcare, Housing, etc.) New economic system for East Germans(competitive job searches, advertising)Conformity and resistance (retainingone’s own language and habits)Besserwessi? Jammerossi?Stereotypes on both sidesHow is this today, according to Hensel?