A Look from behind the Wall: West German Studies of the Political Preferences of East German Citizens
A Look from behind the Wall: West German Studies of the Political Preferences of East German Citizens

Summary/Abstract: After the establishment of the GDR, West German researchers began to study the politicaland social attitude of GDR citizens, and the processes that were taking place there.Due to the changes taking place in the GDR and the difficulties in conducting direct observations,it was decided to take non-standard actions, and to develop special proceduresthat combined direct survey research with indirect research. At the lead of this theresearch efforts were two institutions: Infratest – Markt- und Meinungsforschungsinstitutfrom Monachium and Bundesnachrichtendienst (Federal Intelligence Service). Amongother things, they studied the reactions to current events: for example, for top-level visits, and in particular FRG-DGR contacts, citizens’ identification with the East German state, restrictionsand facilities in traveling to FRG, as well as the assessment of the economic situationof GDR citizens.

• Details
• Contents