FRG: Policing Flashcards
How can government opposition to terrorism be seen as a somewhat failure?
The increasing the extremity of process was linked to the governments response to the protest. Suggest the government action against these groups didn’t always get a positive reaction from the public.
How was the FRG similar to the Weimar government in its oppression? How could you say that opposition very though in comparison to both eras
FRG still wanted to uphold democracy and free speech, but didn’t want democracy overthrown by groups from either side. So as it turned out, similarly to Weimar, it came down more heavily on left-wing
But, could be argued These were groups that posed more of a threat, especially the terrorist groups the 1970s.
What was the BfV and the BND?
BfV (set up in 1950) and BND (set up in 1956) entitled to investigate people suspected of working against the basic law.
BfV: only operated inside Germany
BND: reported directly to the chancellor and conducted investigations abroad, and in Germany
How are the BfV and BND hampered by the civil liberties from the basic law?
What changes did the government try to make to fix this and what was the reaction?
Hampered as they were forbidden to open mail, search homes or monitor phone calls
Government tried to pass the law to supplement basic law to allow BND to have wide powers of arrest and detention (seen as moment of political tension). Law finally passed in 1968 and called the emergency law.
Passing of the law, definitely led to drop in number of open protests, but whilst some groups were silenced, others decided underground, violence terrorism was the only way. Was an unintended and unwelcome consequence
By the end of 1970s, why was there less terrorist activity?
How can u asses the success of the decline in activity against the governments actions earlier in 1970’s
Emergency Lord allowed police activity that could track down terrorists. Even more successful after introduction of BEFA, system, giving BND central access to all police info.
Less terrorist activity by the end of the 1970s, which can be seen as success but also needs to be evaluated against the idea that the government actions had encouraged the rise of terrorism in the first place
What were the employment restrictions in the government?
The employment ban (Berufsverbot) initially aimed at specified political parties that might oppose a threat to democracy, e.g. the KPD.
When was seldom applied e.g. less than 100 people lost their jobs. Between 1950- 72.
What was the anti-radical degree?
Past in January 201972, allowed for political vetting of everyone applying for state job e.g. teachers to civil servants.
What were the medium term consequences of the emergency law becoming part of the basic law?
- protest against invasion of privacy and fears of repression
- extremist when now detected by newly allowed surveillance measures
- Rise of terrorism
- New laws to catch and prosecute terrorist
What’s the were long-term consequences of the emergency law becoming part of the basic law?
- decline of terrorism
- Government did not in fact become increasingly evasive and repressive
