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How democratic was the new system? - Coggle Diagram
How democratic was the new system?
structure of Government
General Information:
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
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
)