Full employment, equal rights and social security created a feeling of "being able to survive" in the GDR. Family "collectives" and active circles of friends were "protected" places for discussing all kinds of issues. Political monitoring was generally blended out. Attempts were made to copy the western way of life.
Pre-fabricated housing developments with schools, childcare facilities, health care centres and shops were built around towns. There was a general lack of urban centres.
Ineptitude of the politics of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) led in 1989 to support for the “We are the People” solution.
Democracy and the market economy led to new forms of communication and freedom to travel but also to separation and short-term advantages.
