The German Democratic Republic

"A clear, concise and thought-provoking introduction to the history of East Germany - its development and downfall - which engages. Peter Grieder offers a thought-provoking introduction to the history of East Germany which engages critically with key debates and advances fresh interpretations. Arguing that the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was a totalitarian welfare state, Grieder: divides its life into six phases: conception, construction, consolidation, conservatism, crisis, and collapse ; analyses key concepts in the Introduction ; provides an overall assessment of the GDR at the end of the volume ; integrates experiences of individual GDR citizens in order to gain a deeper understanding of the East German polity. Clear, concise and up-to-date, this is an essential new study for anyone with an interest in the origins, development and ultimate downfall of the self-proclaimed "Workers' and Peasants' Power.""--Publisher's website.