Suchergebnisse

WHILE THERE IS EVERY PROSPECT THAT EAST GERMANS WILL OPT FOR A CONFEDERATION WITH WEST GERMANY, IT IS CLEAR THAT MOST DO NOT SEE THIS IN TERMS OF A SIMPLE ANNEXATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF WESTERN CAPITALISTS. ECONOMIC DISLOCATION IN THE EAST THREATENS DRASTIC CUTS IN LIVING STANDARDS WHILE THE CAPITALIST WEST DISHES OUT PALTRY CREDITS ONLY IN RETURN FOR PROMISES THAT THE POST-COMMUNIST STATES WILL BECOME A FREE-FIRE ZONE FOR A NEW SPECIES OF BOOTY CAPITALISM. AS ONE SEGMENT OF THE NOMENKLATURA PRIVATIZES PUBLIC ASSETS, ANOTHER ADVISES THE NEW AUTHORITIES ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE AUSTERITY POLICY DEMANDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY. THESE ARE NOT PROPITIOUS CONDITIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DEMOCRACY. HOWEVER, IT IS STILL EARLY.

Written shortly before the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, discusses the possibility of the GDR being 'swallowed up' by the Federal Republic. Includes a postscript written after the opening of the Wall, which argues that the celebrations will not pass off without a hangover. (SJK)