State Development Policy in German-German Comparison: FRG and GDR

The development policy of the FRG (Federal Republic of Germany) and the GDR (German Democratic Republic) during the Cold War showed clear differences in their approaches and symbolisms. The GDR placed great emphasis on “socialist fraternal aid”, especially towards other communist countries of the CMEA. This support emphasised solidarity and cohesion within the Eastern Bloc and strengthened the geopolitical position of the GDR. In contrast, the FRG pursued an independent development policy, closely linked to its foreign policy. The establishment of the independent Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) demonstrated the strategic intention to establish development aid as an independent policy field and to pursue the development policy objectives of the FRG. These different approaches reflect the political, ideological and geopolitical realities of the Cold War. While the GDR viewed its aid as part of an ideological alliance in the Eastern Bloc, the FRG pursued a development policy strategy to strengthen its position in the West.