How democratic was the new system?
structure of Government
Politburo - 80-130 members BUT smaller circle runs show 15-25 members
→ created special organisations, like FJD → mass control
Volkskammer (peoples chamber) - voted in by secret ballot
→ head was the Minister President - voted in by largest party
Landerkammer (States Chamber) - represents the 5 GDR states
→ legislative body - must reflect on needs of state
- highest decision-making body - addresses political problems of party, state, economy & culture
General Information:
Democratic
- designed to be compatible w/ FRG - democratic by design
- choice of political parties: multi-party state
- Freedom of speech → basic human rights - constitution
- Elections held every 4 years → used 'secret ballot'
- Use of PR - % of votes = % of seats
- party congresses elected representatives → ppl raise issues
Undemocratic
- SED dominated - one party state
- elections predetermined - seats already allocated before elections
- Elections rigged - if refused to go along they were monitored by STASI - oppressed by state
- mass organisations controlled by SED - given seats in VK
- Ulbritch purged goven. members from 1951 & 1956
- election turn out 90% - consequences for those who didn't vote
→ problems with Secret Ballot - only one option → go to diff room to cast vote & personal info monitored by SP
→ jobs + education threatened
→ LK reps also predetermined (abolished 1958) replaced by district councils (14 controlled by SED officer)