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Ideologiepolizei und Auftragsverwaltung: Über die Ursachen der Expansion der Staatssicherheit in der Planwirtschaft am Beispiel der DDR-Chemieindustrie

Author

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  • Schiefer Mark

    (Anton-Saefkow-Straße 54, D-10407, Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

The Stasi, the secret police in the GDR, was an integral part of the planned economy. Over time, Stasi officers took on tasks related to economic planning and adopted the mentality and behaviour typical of the field. This paper takes a closer look at their aims and the ensuing consequences as illustrated by the GDR chemical industry. It focuses on a contradictory phenomenon: the co-existence of growth and inefficiency. Although the secret police enjoyed growing responsibilities, resources and partners, they were surprisingly inept at achieving their own economic and security targets. This phenomenon can be explained in two ways: Historically, by identifying the Stasi as the profiteer of economic crisis, or in terms of organization theory, by revealing some typical bureaucratic characteristics of the secret service (MfS).

Suggested Citation

  • Schiefer Mark, 2019. "Ideologiepolizei und Auftragsverwaltung: Über die Ursachen der Expansion der Staatssicherheit in der Planwirtschaft am Beispiel der DDR-Chemieindustrie," Jahrbuch für Wirtschaftsgeschichte / Economic History Yearbook, De Gruyter, vol. 60(1), pages 245-289, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:jbwige:v:60:y:2019:i:1:p:245-289:n:10
    DOI: 10.1515/jbwg-2019-0010
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