Artysta wobec władzy w systemie autorytarnym – studium przypadku NRD
An artist vs. authorities in an authoritarian state – case study of DDR

Author(s): Magdalena Latkowska
Subject(s): Sociology of Art
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: DDR; artists; literature; politics; authorities;
Summary/Abstract: The article analyses the factors impacting literary circles in DDR (German Democratic Republic) from the side of communist authorities and, resultantly, the self‑control mechanisms of the said environment, which are classified by the author. Counted among the “positive” aspects of the mentioned impact are the political framework of creative process and generational structure. The former is claimed to be a kind of ideological “universe”, moulding literary content and writers’ political activity, whereas the latter along with its psychological ramifications are assumed to be an example of self‑control mechanism (self‑censorship) utilised primary by writers themselves, especially those of the second generation. Among “negative” means are enumerated: coercion in a form of soft (rewards/awards), semi‑hard (punishments), and outright hard (repressions) measures, which are substantiated by particular examples. All the described factors are given in a contents of artists’ personal views, their position in society and artistic environment, and decision made by them which resulted from the said factors (emigration). The analysis is accompanied by accounts of fate of DDR’s literary society form the World War II until the breakthrough year of 1989.

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