Socialism, Unification Policy and the Rise of Racism in Eastern Germany

Ethnic conflict has become a major challenge facing unified Germany. While anti-immigrant violence has been virulent across the country, it has been especially conspicuous and upsetting in former East Germany, where foreigners had barely exceeded one percent of the total population before unification. Arguments emphasizing economic, socioeconomic and group-identity factors have appeared to explain the rise in intolerance. Here, however, I argue for consideration of the largely ignored effects of public policies. Examining how policy choices and implementation in eastern Germany before, during, and since unification have affected ethnic relations provides lessons about the origins of racism and ways to combat it.