The british labour party and the german democratic republic during the era of non-recognition, 1949–1973
Authors: Berger, S. and Lilleker, D.G.
Journal: Historical Journal
Volume: 45
Issue: 2
Pages: 433-458
eISSN: 1469-5103
ISSN: 0018-246X
DOI: 10.1017/S0018246X02002443
Abstract:The German Democratic Republic (GDR) became the focus of a recurrent and sometimes heated debate within the British Labour party before 1973. The official stance of the party followed an all-party consensus within parliament about the non-recognition of the second German state. Yet many on the left wing of the Labour party came, for various reasons, to perceive such an inflexible stance as governed not by reason but dictated by the West German government. Such ambivalence towards West Germany and the Adenauer government in particular led to ambiguities within the party's policy as a considerable minority, including some key figures within the party, offered alternative strategies for maintaining or improving relations with the GDR. The most radical alternative, official recognition of the GDR as a legal, political entity, was only propounded by a core of hard left campaigners both within and outside the party. This article examines why sections of the Labour left came to sympathize with the GDR and how successful it was in influencing official party policy during the whole period of non-recognition of the GDR between 1949 and 1973. © 2002, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.
Source: Scopus
The British Labour Party and the German Democratic Republic during the era of non-recognition, 1949-1973
Authors: Berger, S. and Lilleker, D.G.
Journal: HISTORICAL JOURNAL
Volume: 45
Issue: 2
Pages: 433-458
eISSN: 1469-5103
ISSN: 0018-246X
DOI: 10.1017/S0018246X02002443
Source: Web of Science (Lite)
The British Labour Party and the German Democratic Republic during the Era of non-recognition 1949–1973
Authors: Berger, S. and Lilleker, D.
Journal: The Historical Journal
Volume: 45
Pages: 433-458
ISSN: 0018-246X
DOI: 10.1017/S0018246X02002443
Abstract:The German Democratic Republic (GDR) became the focus of a recurrent and sometimes heated debate within the British Labour party before 1973. The official stance of the party followed an all-party consensus within parliament about the non-recognition of the second German state. Yet many on the left wing of the Labour party came, for various reasons, to perceive such an inflexible stance as governed not by reason but dictated by the West German government. Such ambivalence towards West Germany and the Adenauer government in particular led to ambiguities within the party's policy as a considerable minority, including some key figures within the party, offered alternative strategies for maintaining or improving relations with the GDR. The most radical alternative, official recognition of the GDR as a legal, political entity, was only propounded by a core of hard left campaigners both within and outside the party. This article examines why sections of the Labour left came to sympathize with the GDR and how successful it was in influencing official party policy during the whole period of non-recognition of the GDR between 1949 and 1973.
http://www.journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=109645
Source: Manual
Preferred by: Darren Lilleker