Title: West German industrialists and the making of the economic miracle : a history of mentality and recovery /
Authors: Grünbacher, Armin, 1962-
Year: 2017
Subjects: Economic development Germany (West) History.; Industries Germany (West) History.; Economic development; Economic history; Economic policy; Industries; Germany (West) Economic conditions.; Germany (West) Economic policy.; Germany (West) History.; Germany History; Germany; Germany (West)
Abstract: West German Industrialists and the Making of the Economic Miracle" investigates the mentality of post-war German (heavy) industrialists through an analysis of their attitudes, thinking and views on social, political and, of course, economic matters at the time, including the 'social market economy' and the fledgling European integration, with this investigation taking place against the backdrop of the 'economic miracle' and the Cold War of the 1950s and 60s. The book also includes an assessment of whether the self-declared, new 'aristocracy of merit' justified its place in society and carried out its actions in a new spirit of political responsibility. This is an important text for all students interested in the history of Germany and the modern economic history of Europe.
Contents: Introduction -- The "missing link": the role of chambers of industry and commerce for entrepreneurial self-perception in the immediate post-war period -- Ways of redemption: public relations, the IHG and the DII -- The new "entrepreneur" -- "Americanization" leadership recruitment and training -- Bürgerlichkeit: culture and honour, upstarts and old elites -- Politics: business, association and the state -- Living with the "enemy": trade unions, worker representation and communists -- Osthandel: trading with the "enemy" -- Conclusion.