SEM 2: The political systems of FRG & GDR compared

FRG

Federal Republic of Germany, the political system established in the late 1940s.

Basic Law

The constitution of the FRG ensuring rights for Germans.

Bundestag

The Federal Parliament of Germany, responsible for passing laws and approving the budget.

Mixed-member proportional representation

An electoral system used in the Bundestag elections.

Bundesrat

The Federal Council representing the German federal states.

Federal Chancellor

The head of government in the FRG, elected by the Bundestag.

Federal President

A largely ceremonial figurehead elected by the Federal Convention.

Constitutional Court

The court ensuring laws comply with the Basic Law.

Democracy

A system of government that emphasizes rights and representation for citizens.

Stability

The state of being stable, crucial in the design of the FRG's political system.

Weimar Republic

The democratic government of Germany from 1919 to 1933 which faced significant instability.

Ostpolitik

Willy Brandt's policy in the 1970s aimed at improving relations with the GDR.

Social Market Economy

An economic system combining free market with social welfare policies.

SED

Socialist Unity Party, the ruling party of the GDR.

Volkskammer

The lower chamber of the GDR's parliament, functioning as a rubber-stamp body.

Council of Ministers

The executive branch of the GDR, influenced directly by the SED leadership.

State Council

Collective head of state in the GDR, replacing the presidency in 1960.

Stasi

Ministry for State Security in the GDR, responsible for surveillance and repression.

National People’s Army (NVA)

The military of the GDR, aligned with the Soviet Union.

Berlin Wall

Symbol of the GDR's repressive regime, separating East and West Berlin.

Totalitarian Interpretation

View of the GDR as a repressive dictatorship denying basic rights.

Socialist Welfare State Interpretation

Perspective that the GDR provided social equality and welfare despite flaws.

Ideological Control

The means by which the GDR maintained its authority and suppressed opposition.

Centralized Planning

An economic system where the state controls all aspects of the economy.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information.

Political Freedom

The rights of individuals to participate in their government and political processes.

Human Rights

The basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person.

Authoritarianism

A political system characterized by the concentration of power in a leader or elite not accountable to the people.

Federalism

A political system where power is divided between a central government and individual states.

Legitimization Through Opposition

GDR's system seen as a reaction to Western influence and capitalism.

Elections in GDR

Elections held in the GDR were neither free nor competitive, disproportionately benefitting the ruling party.

Economic Miracle

A period of rapid economic growth that solidified the legitimacy of the FRG.

Political Pluralism

The coexistence of multiple political parties and ideologies in a democratic system.