CiNii Books - The plans that failed : an economic history of the GDR

The establishment of the Communist social model in one part of Germany was a result of international postwar developments, of the Cold War waged by East and West, and of the resultant partition of Germany. As the author argues, the GDR's 'new' society was deliberately conceived as a counter-model to the liberal and marketregulated system. Although the hopes connected with this alternative system turned out to be misplaced and the planned economy may be thoroughly discredited today, it is important to understand the context in which it developed and failed. This study, a bestseller in its German version, offers an in-depth exploration of the GDR economy's starting conditions and the obstacles to growth it confronted during the consolidation phase. These factors, however, were not decisive in the GDR's lack of growth compared to that of the Federal Republic. As this study convincingly shows, it was the economic model that led to failure.

Table of Contents

Introduction Chapter 1. A Difficult Start? Initial Conditions in the Soviet Occupation Zone Economic Potential and Structure at the End of the War Plant Dismantling and Reparations Political Forces in the Soviet Occupation Zone and their Ideas on Economic Policy Land Reform and Nationalisation of Industry Restarting Production Chapter 2. The Establishment of the Planned Economy 1948-1952 German Economic Commission and Currency Reform Problems of Economic Control Reorientation of Foreign Trade and Industrial Development Agriculture and Supplies for the Population The Resolution to 'Build Socialism' The Events of 17 June 1953 Chapter 3. Between Shortages and Growth 1953-1963 Industrial and Structural Policy The Private Sector and Agriculture Problems of the Steering Mechanism Growth, Structural Transformation and Standard of Living The 'Main Economic Task': 'Catch Up and Overtake' Collectivisation and the Road into Crisis 1960/61 Chapter 4. The 'Golden' Sixties? Economic Reform between Take-off and Crisis 1961-1971 Stoerfreimachung and Produktionsaufgebot 1961/62 A 'New Economic System'? Implementation of the Reform 'Overtake without Catching Up' Economic Results and Living Standards in the Reform Period The Growth Crisis of 1969/70 and its Political Consequences Chapter 5. 'Unity of Economic and Social Policy' 1971-1982 Honecker's 'Main Task' Fewer Investments and Innovations? Concentration in Industry and Agriculture And More Consumption? Debt Crisis Chapter 6. Continued Economic Decline 1982-1989 Getting out of Debt? Dispensing with Reforms in the Steering of the Economy Growing Loss of Assets More Money, Fewer Goods Final Crisis Brief Biographies Index

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The plans that failed : an economic history of the GDR

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