Krajní a extremistická pravice ve východním Německu
The Extreme Right in Eastern Germany

Summary/Abstract: Sixteen years after the reunification of Germany it often remains necessary to analyse the politics and economics of Western and Eastern Germany separately. This is the case particularly as far as right-wing extremism is concerned. lndeed, the extreme right in Eastern Cermany is more sub-cultural, more violent and less political than their counterparts in Western Cermany. Right-wing extremism is more latently incorporated in Eastern German society. Election results are not necessarily sufficient as an indicator of such a situation. There are several reasons which explain the eye-catching differences, going far beyond the simple analysis of economic stagnation, unemployment and social frustration resulting from it. It actually seems that the communist regime had several characteristics which provided a basis for right-wing extremism. Another point is that the manner in which German reunification was undertaken lead to a loss of identity among many Eastern German citizens. Subsequently they found shelter in their wish for a strong state incorporating social securities and based on an Eastern German identity, making it possible to distinguish themselves from anybody who was different and particularly from Western Germans and foreigners. From this perspective right-wing and left-wing extremism do not differ very much from one another.

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