Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides an extensive overview of the political and administrative elites in local government within both East and West Germany. It examines the ties that these elites hold to their communities. The book examines the ideological values of local elites in the two parts of Germany and contrasts these with the values of citizens within their communities as well as the values of local elites in other democracies. It presents a picture of what the elites see as the political situation within their communities. The book shows, contrary to a widely accepted image, that East German and West German local elites actually possess quite common views about the meaning of democracy. It sets out the patterns of origin, the age profiles and the gender composition of these elites. In addition, the book traces their class origins and educational backgrounds.