The article investigates the activities of the economic experts and political advisors from East Germany working in Syria from 1965 to 1972. The German Democratic Republic actively supported the different Ba’thist leaderships that came into power since the early Sixties and offered its expertise with regard to economic and administrative reforms. In the Cold War struggle throughout the so called Third World, the GDR focused on Syria in order to gain diplomatic legitimacy, access to domestic market as well as to drive the Arab country along the “Non-Capitalist Road” to development. Far from introducing any major element of the GDR-style socialism, the Regierungsberater contributed toward reforming some of the central state institutions and they eventually strengthened the Ba’thist rule over Syria. However, the East German engagement was also deeply affected by domestic and regional dynamics and stand as a major case-study for the influence which external actors may have in reform-projects in Syria.
The Regierungsberater in Damascus. The Expertise of the German Democratic Republic in Syrian State-building: 1965-1972
TRENTIN, MASSIMILIANO
2009
Abstract
The article investigates the activities of the economic experts and political advisors from East Germany working in Syria from 1965 to 1972. The German Democratic Republic actively supported the different Ba’thist leaderships that came into power since the early Sixties and offered its expertise with regard to economic and administrative reforms. In the Cold War struggle throughout the so called Third World, the GDR focused on Syria in order to gain diplomatic legitimacy, access to domestic market as well as to drive the Arab country along the “Non-Capitalist Road” to development. Far from introducing any major element of the GDR-style socialism, the Regierungsberater contributed toward reforming some of the central state institutions and they eventually strengthened the Ba’thist rule over Syria. However, the East German engagement was also deeply affected by domestic and regional dynamics and stand as a major case-study for the influence which external actors may have in reform-projects in Syria.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
