Sperlich examines the ideological foundations of the socialist regime of the former German Democratic Republic. He provides a detailed analysis of the nature of the GDR's legitimating ideology and of the reasons why the ideology ultimately failed to legitimate the regime. The study uses primary source documents extensively as well as the little existing secondary literature.

This is part of Sperlich's larger project dealing with the government, society, economy, political participation, and administration of the law and the system of courts of the GDR. This definitive treatment of the GDR provides the background essential to an understanding of all communist systems of the twentieth century. As such, it is vital reading for scholars, students, and other researchers seeking to understand the rise and ultimate collapse of communist systems and, in particular, the decline of the German Democratic Republic.

Peter W. Sperlich is Professor, Department of Political Science, The University of California at Berkeley.