Katja Hoyer, a Visiting Research Fellow at King's College London and author of acclaimed works on German history, shines a light on the complexities of life in East Germany. She discusses the lingering effects of the Berlin Wall on modern German politics and society. The conversation delves into the cultural identity crafted under socialism, the struggles of ordinary citizens in a restrictive regime, and the intricate family dynamics shaped by the divide. Hoyer emphasizes the importance of remembering this past to navigate contemporary issues and social mobility.
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insights INSIGHT
East Germans' Rule-Following Culture
East Germans generally followed rules more strictly than Eastern Europeans, leading to more repression by the Stasi.
In Hungary, people lived under the state but often ignored rules and evaded authority, unlike in East Germany.
insights INSIGHT
West German TV's Ironical Effect
Access to West German TV made East Germans more aware of West Germany's flaws and politics, which ironically increased loyalty to East Germany.
The East German regime tacitly accepted this widespread Western media consumption as they could not effectively stop it.
insights INSIGHT
Complexity of East German Experiences
East German lives combined oppression and happiness, not mutually exclusive experiences.
Many dissidents later regretted losing aspects of East German culture despite opposing the regime.
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Katja Hoyer's *Blood and Iron* explores the tumultuous history of the German Empire from its violent beginnings under Otto von Bismarck to its catastrophic defeat in World War I. The book delves into themes of national self-discovery, social upheaval, and realpolitik, offering a nuanced understanding of how modern Germany came into being. It highlights the complexities of the Second Reich, often overshadowed by its association with the rise of Nazism.
The Open Society and Its Enemies
The Spell of Plato
Karl Popper
Written during World War II and published in 1945, 'The Open Society and Its Enemies' is a seminal work in political philosophy. Karl Popper critiques the theories of teleological historicism espoused by Plato, Hegel, and Marx, arguing that these theories undermine individual freedom and pave the way for authoritarian regimes. The book defends the open society and liberal democracy, emphasizing the importance of critical rationalism, individual freedom, and the ethos of scientific inquiry in politics. It also discusses the challenges facing open societies, including totalitarianism, dogmatism, and relativism, and advocates for a piecemeal approach to social reform.
Beyond the Wall, East Germany, 1949 to 1990
Katja Hoyer
Iron Curtain
The Crushing of Eastern Europe 1944-56
Anne Applebaum
In 'Iron Curtain', Anne Applebaum provides a detailed history of how Stalin and his agents imposed communism on Eastern Europe, transforming the lives of millions. The book explores the mechanisms of tyranny, including the role of secret police and the suppression of civil society, drawing on newly opened archives and personal accounts.
Katja Hoyer is a visiting Research Fellow at King's College London and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and is the author of Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire, 1871–1918 and Beyond the Wall: East Germany 1949-1990.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Katja Hoyer discuss life in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), how it is remembered today—and whether the Wall still has an impact on German politics today.
Podcast production by Mickey Freeland and Leonora Barclay.
The Good Fight 
