© University of Reading 2006 www.reading.ac.uk

The Building Up of Socialism in the GDR Pt1 Richard M McKenzie MA – Reading University

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Objectives

• Socialism/Capitalism

• Definition of Socialism

• Originators of Socialism

• Walter Ulbricht – First General Secretary of the SED

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Socialism v Capitalism

Soc Cap

Social and economic order based on abolition of property

and the means of production

Social and economic order which strives for freedom and

equality

Social and economic order in which capital (machines,

tech etc, ) dominates the other economic factors,

workforce and land

The historic aim is a social order without classes

A social order in which all human qualities can be fully

developed

Abolition of the exploitation of man by man

Economic order based on the free market and self-

regulation by supply and demand

Socialism v Capitalism

Soc Cap

New, truly human forms of living, production and

distribution

Social and economic order based on the revolution of the

proletariat

The state has the task to correct socio-political

developments and to maintain a social balance

Reconciliation of the contradictions in the economy and

society

Exploitation of workforce and land in order to accumulate

capital

Capitalism According to Socialists

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Socialism

Definition

Socialism is a political, philosophical and economic ideology which seeks to abolish private ownership for both the good of the proletariat, (the working classes), and the economy.

Philosophically Socialism aims toward a state of equality in all people; economically Socialism aims to maximise output through the abolition of private ownership. Socialism means that everybody has an equal opportunity in life regardless of gender, race or other factors of birth; it essentially forbids sexism, racism or discrimination of any form.

Socialism’s aim is to begin with state control and the nationalisation of all assets, then to move towards an anarchist state in which everything is owned by the collective society and society governs itself

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Prophets of Socialism

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Missing Man?

• Stalin

– Dominance of

bureaucracy

– Rule of one party

– Repression

– Democratic

centralism

– Leadership Cult

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Legitimacy

• Where do systems get their legitimacy from?

• UK ?

• Libya ?

• USSR ?

• DDR ?

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Walter Ulbricht and the GDR

• 1893 Born

• 1912 Member of the SPD

• 1918 Takes part in November Revolution

• 1919 Founding member KPD

• 1928-33 Member of Reichstag

• 1929 Politburo Member

• 1933 Exile in Paris and Prague

• 1938 Goes to Moscow

• 1945 Head of “Ulbricht Group” returns to Germany

• 1950 - 1971 General Sec of the Central Committee of the SED

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Conclusion

• Socialism v Capitalism

• Defined Socialism

• Marx, Engels, Lenin

• Stalin

• Legitimacy

• Walter Ulbricht

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