Industrial and Political Development in the Weimar Republic

Abstract

The second session on "Social Policy and Social Conflict in the Weimar Republic," dealt broadly with labor relations, the efforts of the Center Party, and Social Democratic Party and the various trade-union organizations to defend and extend the social legislation of the Republic, and the increasing opposition of industry to the high level of German social expenditures. Papers were given by Hans Biegert—Berlin, Georges Castellan—Paris, Robert Gates—Ohio State University, Albin Gladen—Bochum, Ursula Hullbusch—Leutershausen, Tim Mason—Oxford, Hans Mommsen—Bochum, Eberhard Pies—Trier, Michael Schneider—Bonn, and Robert Wheeler—University of Southern California. The complex but extremely important struggles over the level and the financing of public expenditure were examined in the third session on "The Impact of Finance Policy on Social Conflict." Papers were given by Gerd Hardach—Marburg, Karl Hardach—Rutgers University, Claus-Dieter Krohn—Hamburg, Martin Vogt—Koblenz, and Peter Christian Witt—Oxford. The fourth session, which turned attention to Germany's involvement in the postwar political and financial system dominated by the Allied Governments, examined the "Limiting International Conditions and the Role of Reparations Policy." Papers were given by Dorte Doering—Berlin, Peter Kruger—Bonn, Werner Link—Kassel, Charles Maier—Harvard University, Alan Milward—Manchester, Hermann Rupieper—Berlin, Georges Jorg-Otto Spiller—Berlin, and Dirk Stegmann—Hamburg. The fifth and sixth sessions focused on the political influence of specific German interest groups. Session five studies the "Representation of Industrial Interests," and papers were given by Berkeley, Forman—University and