Traditionen, Utopien, Dekonstruktionen - die Sozialstaatskonzepte des 'Ostblocks' (1945-1990)

The welfare state concepts in Eastern Europe under state socialism (1945-1990) were based on the conviction that only the state was responsible for solving all social problems. The 'bourgeois' manners of individual care were substituted by general measures in the field of labour- and family politics, as well as urban development. The experience showed however that this way of substitution was an illusion, because certain target groups were still in need of help (for example ill or handicapped children and adults, elderly people etc). Nevertheless, most of the Eastern European countries - with the exception of Yugoslavia - decided to abolish the existing forms of professional social work and the training for social workers. Instead, they invented 'surrogate structures' to manage the care for the 'needy': Various institutions and occupational groups (schools, hospitals and ambulances, employees groups etc.) took over the tasks of social workers and were trained to fulfil this as a kind of 'social practice'. Therefore, it is wrong to claim that social work was completely abolished under state socialism, But: as social work 'as such' did not exist any longer, it is more reasonable to speak of welfare state concepts, including social policy on one hand, and non- or paraprofessional social practice on the other. To characterize the effect of these welfare state concepts three parameter of interpretation seem to be useful: 'traditions', 'visions', and 'deconstructions' - embedded in a system of repression as well as incentives. Traditions: The huge 'social laboratory' that was installed was not a totally new one - it still carried on the heritage of the bygone: some bourgeois traces as well as elements out of the fascist heritage and -last but not least - the traditions of their own socialist movement. Visions: The socialist traditions included visions of social justice, the creation of a 'new mankind', a classless society, the end of exploitation and a peaceful living together of all people. Although the 'real existing socialism' has destroyed most of these visions, the power of these utopian ideas has outshined a lot of the every day’s misfortune and injustice for quite a long time. Deconstructions: The term of 'deconstruction' has a threefold meaning: the deconstruction of professional welfare, the deconstruction - in the sense of reinterpretation - of the socialist ideals such as social justice and social security, making an instrument of inclusion and exclusion out of it. And the deconstruction that is necessary to free the history of social work under state socialism from the prejudices and distorting practices, from both sides, the east and the west. In the contribution these three parameter of interpretation are applied on the following issues: The gaps in the 'overall system' of social security; working morale and education for work; mass organisations as an instrument of egalitarianism and general prevention; de-professionalisation by 'surrogating' social work; the 'transparent client'; church as refuge or 'state organ'; women’s politics as bio-politics.

«Den Vorvätern zum Ruhm – den Brüdern zur Ermutigung». Variationen zum Thema Grunwald/Tannenberg

Die Schlacht bei Tannenberg/Grunwald vom 15. Juli 1410 gehört zu den wichtigsten polnischen Nationalmythen. Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit dem Grunwaldmythos, der nach 1870 einen enormen Bedeutungsgewinn erfuhr und zu einem beliebten Sujet der polnischen Malerei und Literatur wurde. Inszenierung und Funktionen der Fünfhundertjahrfeiern werden diskutiert, die vom 15.-17. Juli 1910 in Krakau stattfanden. 150.000 Menschen nahmen an dieser Feier teil und machten sie damit zur größten nationalen Kundgebung im geteilten Polen überhaupt. Diese Feiern wurden selbst zu einem Erinnerungsort und zu einem Bezugspunkt von Jubiläumsfeiern. In Deutschland wurde der Sieg über die russischen Truppen bei Tannenberg im August 1914 mit der Schlacht von 1410 verknüpft. Der Sieg von 1914 spielte eine wichtige Rolle im Hindenburgkult, und das Nationaldenkmal Tannenberg wurde zum Ort großer deutschnationaler und nationalsozialistischer Feiern. Während die Schlacht nach 1945 im deutschen kollektiven Gedächtnis keine Rolle mehr spielte, wurde der Nationalmythos in der Volksrepublik Polen modifiziert und dazu benutzt, das neue Regime in die polnische nationale Tradition einzubinden, das alte Feindbild Deutschland und die Freundschaft mit der Sowjetunion zu befestigen.

Jan Floris de Jongh (1910 – 1988), President of IASSW 1954-1961

Jan Floris de Jongh played an undoubtedly significant role in the development of social work within and beyond The Netherlands. Yet, he and his contributions to the field are barely known, particularly in The Netherlands. His achievements warrant much more attention given that this Dutchman was also one of the most relevant figures in the international social work community.