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Socialism Gone Awry: A Study in Bureaucratic Dysfunction in the Armed Forces of the German Democratic Republic

Jordan, Daniel W, III
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416569882

Abstract Details

2014, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: History.
This dissertation establishes the existence of organizational dysfunction within a socialist army. It then posits a cause and outlines the tragic effects of that dysfunction on the average East German soldier. The East German Army (NVA) of the German Democratic Republic was a representation of the state in many different ways. Its demographic closely matched that of the general population, not only in terms of class, but also in educational levels. The army also closely paralleled the larger state in structure and in political ideology. As the state was militarized in the broadest sense of the word, the NVA represented in the development of its political-ideological discourse and its socialist consciousness. There were surprising continuities between state organs and its army, including its politicization, its training, and its structure. Like the army, the GDR closely paralleled the operational hierarchies of industry, business, and education with its national security equivalents. Like the political committees on the factory floor, the army also had formal and informal structures of political operatives who oversaw operational and managerial leaders, as well as the political development of the lowest workers and soldiers. Because of this sharp parallel, the records of the NVA provide a unique view into the effect of politicization and ideology on the lowest soldiers. Army records are detailed and filled with its own analysis for the causes of special incidents, including accidents, disciplinary problems, training problems, desertions, and suicides. These records also provide rare insight into the operations and functions of a socialist bureaucracy. Clearly, Marxist-Leninist ideology had an impact on the progress of Soviet client states. What is new here is the ability to watch the ideology evolve into a political-military discourse that adversely affected the training and function of East German army officers. In turn, the reduction in effective leadership had adverse effects on traditional indicators of smooth-running bureaucracies or military organizations. High rates of desertion, accidents, suicide, and disciplinary issues were tolerated on a daily basis in the NVA. Consequently, the negative work environment and chronic toxic leadership of its political and military leadership adversely affected the lives of their soldiers. The effect on the soldiers had long-term effects on the political stability of the East German regime and the eventual demise of the state.
Martin Francis, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Edward Ross Dickinson, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Katherine Sorrels, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
420 p.
History
East German Army NVA; History of East Germany; Military History of the GDR; Dysfunction; toxic leadership; German Democratic Republic

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Citations

  • Jordan, III, D. W. (2014). Socialism Gone Awry: A Study in Bureaucratic Dysfunction in the Armed Forces of the German Democratic Republic [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416569882

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jordan, III, Daniel. Socialism Gone Awry: A Study in Bureaucratic Dysfunction in the Armed Forces of the German Democratic Republic. 2014. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416569882.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jordan, III, Daniel. "Socialism Gone Awry: A Study in Bureaucratic Dysfunction in the Armed Forces of the German Democratic Republic." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416569882

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.