East Germans and their search for identity in a re-unified Germany has become a topic of intense debate among academics, the media and within the East German community itself. Only a few years after the initial euphoria of reunification had worn off, and the dream to become “ein Volk” had (at least constitutionally) been fulfilled, Easterners began searching for a distinct identity. Part of this contested identity has expressed itself in the phenomenon of Ostalgie - the revival of products and symbols of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This essay analyses ostalgic practices in the context of the specific east German situation after reunification, a period which was not only characterized by the forces of liberation and progress which are so often portrayed in the media and official discourse, but also by experiences of severe rupture and losses in many parts of everyday life. What is the meaning and purpose of Ostalgie? Why did East Germans start emphasising their distinct Ostidentität (eastern identity) and why did it emerge in the first place? Is it part of a natural, long-term development rooted in the communist social doctrine, i.e. a form of nostalgia and GDR transfiguration? Or is it an after-effect of the asymmetric transformation, i.e. an act of defiance, resulting from disappointment? This essay attempts to answer these questions and support the hypothesis that it is neither nor. We argue that Ostalgie partly serves as a peaceful self-upgrading and self-conserving strategy to cope with the strains and challenges of transformation. Thus, Ostidentität is more than a cyclical trend, reflecting a romanticised transfiguration of the past GDR era. To a large extent, its constituent elements emerged in reaction to the unexpectedly Western-dominated process of East Germany’s social, economic and cultural development. As long as this process remains asymmetrical and driven largely by West German actors, a specific East German identity will continue to exist and possibly develop further, at least in the minds of those who still have personal memories of the GDR.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 East German identity and the phenomenon of Ostalgie after reunification
2.1 Ostalgie – its meaning and forms of expression
2.2 Reasons for the emphasis on a distinct East German identity after 1989/90
2.3 The purpose of Ostalgie
3 East German consciousness – cyclical trend or long-term element?
4 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This academic essay examines the emergence and significance of "Ostalgie" as a key component of a distinct East German identity following the reunification of Germany in 1990. The research explores whether this phenomenon represents long-term socialist socialization, a cyclical trend, or a defensive reaction to the asymmetric transformation processes and social stigmatization experienced by East Germans in the post-unification era.
- The socio-political origins of East German identity (Ostidentität) after 1990.
- The role of consumer behavior and "Ostalgie" as a form of cultural self-assertion.
- The impact of asymmetric economic and institutional integration on East German self-perception.
- The distinction between nostalgic longing and a functional strategy for psychological stabilization.
- The persistence of East German consciousness in the context of ongoing societal divergence.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Ostalgie – its meaning and forms of expression
The notion of Ostalgie is not a theoretically defined concept in the social scientific discourse. However, soon after its creation it quickly became the word of the day in the everyday language of mass media and society. The reason why this term has survived for so long is because on the one hand, it was able to identify certain newly emerging and still observable phenomena among East Germans, while it was on the other hand totally unspecified analytically. Ostalgie suggests a mixture of “East” and “nostalgia”. Most westerners tend to associate the first part of the word, “East”, with negative images, such as backwardness, oppression and laziness. The second part, “Nostalgia”, is usually defined as a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition (www.ask.com). Some scholars suggest that Ostalgie excludes this real, transfiguring nostalgia (Ahbe 2001: 787). However, a certain amount of nostalgia must surely be one reason why, for example, some purely symbolic products such as card games picturing former GDR packagings have become so popular among many East Germans. I would, however, agree that Ostalgie is in many respects a rather lay and unreflected effort to (re)acquire GDR past that often includes an ironic touch (ibid).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the context of German reunification and frames the research question regarding the emergence of a distinct East German identity and the phenomenon of Ostalgie.
2 East German identity and the phenomenon of Ostalgie after reunification: This chapter explores how East Germans define their identity through shared GDR history and reactions to the dominant West German culture, including the practice of Ostalgie.
2.1 Ostalgie – its meaning and forms of expression: This section defines the term Ostalgie, its usage in media and society, and its manifestation through products, parties, and symbolic cultural artifacts.
2.2 Reasons for the emphasis on a distinct East German identity after 1989/90: This section analyzes the socio-economic causes for the identity shift, focusing on the erosion of identification references and the "memory privilege" of former GDR citizens.
2.3 The purpose of Ostalgie: This section examines Ostalgie as a communicative and compensatory tool for East Germans to cope with the stigmatization and marginalization experienced during the transformation process.
3 East German consciousness – cyclical trend or long-term element?: This chapter evaluates statistical data to determine whether the East German "we-consciousness" is a temporary phenomenon or a long-term societal development.
4 Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that East German identity remains a relevant and complex response to the ongoing asymmetries of the unification process.
Keywords
Ostalgie, East German identity, reunification, Ostidentität, GDR, social transformation, we-consciousness, stigmatization, memory privilege, cultural heritage, asymmetry, GDR legacy, societal divergence, transformation process, transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the emergence of "Ostalgie" in post-reunification Germany and how it functions as a marker for a distinct East German identity.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The work focuses on the transformation of the GDR into the new German states, the resulting social asymmetries, the loss of employment, and the psychological need for identity preservation.
What is the core research question being investigated?
The author investigates whether the East German consciousness is merely a cyclical trend, a form of nostalgia, or a long-term reaction to the structural and social challenges of reunification.
Which scientific methodology is utilized in this paper?
The author employs a sociological analysis of cultural phenomena, relying on empirical studies, surveys, media discourse analysis, and critical assessment of socio-political literature.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers the definition and expression of Ostalgie, the structural reasons for the emergence of East German identity, and the empirical evaluation of the continuity of this identity.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
Key concepts include Ostalgie, East German identity, transformation, stigmatization, and the asymmetrical integration of East and West German societies.
How does the author interpret the consumption of "Eastern" products?
The author argues that consuming these products is not just nostalgia, but a rational, active, and responsible choice that helps preserve East German identity and continuity.
What does the "double-experience" mean in this context?
It refers to the unique knowledge that East Germans possess by having lived in two different economic and social systems, providing them with a "memory privilege" that West Germans lack.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Christine Polzin (Autor:in), 2003, Ostalgie - a part of a new East German identity?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/53816
