Societal change: Learning from Russia means learning to lose

A concerning trend is emerging within German politics, particularly among AfD politicians, who are increasingly romanticizing the era of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

These politicians often evoke a sense of nostalgia, presenting the GDR as a period of supposed superiority and stability, contrasting it with the present. This narrative seeks to capitalize on a yearning for a perceived better past, a tactic that mirrors strategies observed in Russia.

The article draws a parallel between this German trend and Russia's approach to its history. It argues that by idealizing past regimes and promoting a revisionist view of history, societies risk losing sight of progress and embracing a path of regression. Learning from Russia's experience in this regard, the piece suggests, means understanding the detrimental consequences of such historical romanticization.