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.

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9781800737327

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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

Author Information

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

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