CURRENT PROBLEMS OF RAPPROCHEMENT OF THE EAST AND WEST OF GERMANY

Abstract

The paper describes actual problem of socio-economic inequality between the East and West of Germany. We examine the analysis of sociological differences between parts of the country in terms of the results of German unity policies, the introduction of coronavirus restrictions, technological equipment and economic potential. All those issues are considered with key works of German literature of recent years on understanding the contradiction «East-West». It is determined that the ongoing intellectual attempts have not overcome the split in the country. Additionally, we examine the federal government’s concept of a «new look to the East» was explored. The results show that as an independent region, for which the western part of the country does not serve as an indisputable reference point. Most likely, in fact, this approach has shifted the focus from the traditionally important internal chronic shortages of new lands in economic power, labor, infrastructure and technology. This problem is particularly relevant in connection with the lack of representation of people from East Germany in key positions in many areas of society and politics. This explains why its that these issues will be considered in a special concept of the federal government, adopted at the beginning of 2023. The second part of the state's efforts is related to changes in approaches to the implementation of regional policy in the country and financing of measures to improve the economic structures of the regions. The author concludes that they are synchronized with the tasks of ensuring energy security and accelerating the transformation at oil refineries and ports in eastern Germany after the cessation of oil and gas supplies from Russia. In this regard, we consider that the continuation of the polycrisis in the country makes a decisive contribution to the growing disillusionment of East Germans in politics. On the example of this analyses, we obtained that they do not reject democracy as such, but are much more critical of political actions than the population of the western part of Germany.