University Pt 1 lectures

1. © 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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2. Objectives
• Socialism/Capitalism
• Definition of Socialism
• Originators of Socialism
• Walter Ulbricht – First General Secretary of the SED
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3. 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

4. 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

5. Capitalism According to Socialists
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6. 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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7. Prophets of Socialism
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8. Missing Man?
• Stalin
– Dominance of
bureaucracy
– Rule of one party
– Repression
– Democratic
centralism
– Leadership Cult
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9. Legitimacy
• Where do systems get their legitimacy from?
• UK ?
• Libya ?
• USSR ?
• DDR ?
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10. 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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11. Conclusion
• Socialism v Capitalism
• Defined Socialism
• Marx, Engels, Lenin
• Stalin
• Legitimacy
• Walter Ulbricht
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12. www.germanwarfilm.co.uk
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