Selling the Economic Miracle: Economic Reconstruction and Politics in West Germany, 1949-1957

by Mark E. Spicka

Overview

Through an examination of election campaign propaganda and various public relations campaigns, reflecting new electioneering techniques borrowed from the United States, this work explores how conservative political and economic groups sought to construct and sell a political meaning of the Social Market Economy and the Economic Miracle in West Germany during the 1950s.The political meaning of economics contributed to conservative electoral success, constructed a new belief in the free market economy within West German society, and provided legitimacy and political stability for the new Federal Republic of Germany.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845452230
Publisher:	Berghahn Books
Publication date:	08/01/2007
Series:	Monographs in German History , #18
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Mark E. Spicka is Associate Professor of History at Shippensburg Universityin Pennsylvania. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State Universityand was a Fulbright Scholar in Germany in 1996/1997.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
List of Acronyms

Introduction

Chapter 1. Origins of the Social Market Economy and the Currency Reform of 1948
Chapter 2. Market or Planned? The 1949 Bundestag Election
Chapter 3. The Korean Crisis, the Social Market Economy, and Public Opinion
Chapter 4. Public Relations for the Social Market Economy: Die Waage
Chapter 5. Creating a CDU/CSU Public Relations Machine: The 1953 Bundestag Election
Chapter 6. The Triumph of the Economic Miracle: The CDU/CSU and the 1957 Bundestag Election

Conclusion

Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Spicka’s conclusions are insightful and plausible; his arguments are logical and stringent. His research foundation, comprising varied sources, is solid; he …supports his text with many instructive pictures… Also informative are the detailed and convincing explanations of how American campaigning techniques and public relations strategies were combined with older national German practices…Altogether, Spicka has produced a sound, informative study.”  ·  Business History Review

“For anyone interested in West-German politics and campaign practices during the 1950s, this well-researched monograph will be required reading.”  ·  German Studies Review

"Spicka has mad a valuable contribution to our understanding of West Germany’s first decade."  ·  American Historical Review

From the Publisher