West Germany

Fülszöveg

West Germany
Michael Balfour
Many books have been written about the history of Germany and a considerable number about Germany today. Mr. Balfour's object, however, has been to interpret the second in the light of the first. In four chapters, he sketches the development of Germany from earliest times to 1945, dwelling particularly on the aspects that bear on later events. Seven more chapters carry the story forward, through the establishment of two German states and the Adenauer era to the formation of the Great Coalition government in December, 1966. A long final chapter deals with West German educational problems, with economic prospects, with the likely course of internal politics (including a revival of nationalism), and, finally, with foreign policy, particularly as regards the chances of reunification. A wealth of statistical tables enables readers to estimate for themselves the relative position of West Germany in the world of today, while sixteen pages of illustrations... Tovább

Fülszöveg

West Germany
Michael Balfour
Many books have been written about the history of Germany and a considerable number about Germany today. Mr. Balfour's object, however, has been to interpret the second in the light of the first. In four chapters, he sketches the development of Germany from earliest times to 1945, dwelling particularly on the aspects that bear on later events. Seven more chapters carry the story forward, through the establishment of two German states and the Adenauer era to the formation of the Great Coalition government in December, 1966. A long final chapter deals with West German educational problems, with economic prospects, with the likely course of internal politics (including a revival of nationalism), and, finally, with foreign policy, particularly as regards the chances of reunification. A wealth of statistical tables enables readers to estimate for themselves the relative position of West Germany in the world of today, while sixteen pages of illustrations give an idea of the connection between German art and history.
The basic question to which Mr. Balfour addresses himself is whether a divided Germany is going to prove as dangerous as a united one did. He concludes that any answer would be premature. Much has changed in Germany since 1945, and strong forces of realism and moderation are at work. They face, however, a continuous struggle against those who admire the past without being willing to reconcile themselves to its consequences. There is, as yet, no justification for concluding that either side is bound to win. The course of the struggle is, however, vital to the world's future, and this book gives the information needed to appreciate the factors that are involved.
With 16 pages of illustrations and one map. Vissza