Civil Society and Memory in Postwar Germany

This book analyzes postwar Germany to show how social movements shape public memory and influence democratization through cooperation and conflict with government.

List of contents

List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations and German terms; 1. Civil society activism, memory politics and democracy; 2. Memorial politics and civil society since 1945; 3. Building negative memory: civic initiatives for memorials to Nazi terror; 4. Dig where you stand: the History Movement and grassroots memorialization; 5. Memorial aesthetics and the memory movements of the 1980s; 6. A part of history that continues to smolder: remembering East Germany from below; 7. Hybrid memorial institutions and democratic memory; Interviews; Bibliography; Index.

About the author

Jenny Wüstenberg is DAAD Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science at York University, Toronto. She has been active in developing the field of memory studies, most notably as co-chair of the Research Network on Transnational Memory and Identity in the Council for European Studies and as co-founder of the Memory Studies Association.

Summary

This interdisciplinary approach to postwar German memory politics charts the role of social movements in shaping public memory and democratic values. It will appeal to readers interested in understanding political conflict between civil society and the state over memorials to the German war dead, victims of the Holocaust, and East German oppression.

Product details

• Authors: Jenny Wustenberg, Jenny (York University Wustenberg, Jenny Wüstenberg
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.01.2019
• EAN: 9781316628379
• ISBN: 978-1-316-62837-9
• No. of pages: 354
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; Sociology, Germany, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / Political Advocacy, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Constitutions, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / European, Political activism, Political science & theory, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999, Political science and theory, Constitution: government & the state, c 1945 to c 2000 (Post-war period), Constitution: government and the state, Political activism / Political engagement