Since 2001 a work group headed by Prof. Elmar Brahler and Prof. Dr. Oliver Decker from the University of Leipzig has been conducting studies regarding the extreme right states of mind in Germany. A publication that was recently issued presents conclusions from the last ten years.
It has been clarified, this according to the interpretation of the study’s authors, that the hostility towards strangers in West Germany is first and foremost a problem of older people, whereas in the East it is a problem of younger people. 32% of the respondents in the East and 23% in the West agreed with the hostile expressions towards strangers. Those born in the East from 1981 onward presented similarly high values to the values of those born in the West until 1930. In contrast, antisemitic expressions were displayed in the West (9.8%) more strongly than in the new states of the German Federation (6.3%). In view of the empirical data it emerges also that in a place where there is the least direct contact with foreigners, xenophobic opinions are most prevalent.
29.3% agreed “decisively” or “wholeheartedly” with the message that says: “what our country needs today is a strict and vigorous enforcement of German interests with respect to foreign countries”, whereas additional 31.7% partially agreed. A similar number of the respondents were of the opinion that “the supreme goal of the German policy” should be “Providing Germany with the strength and authority it deserves.” (A total of 57.3% of partial up to full agreement). Even more prevalent is the difficult sensation that “the strangers” came to the German Federation, according to this claim, in order to “take advantage of our social state”. 14.7% agreed with it wholeheartedly and 52.9% – partially or decisively.
The study in general demonstrates that xenophobic, racist and authoritarian viewpoints are not just a problem of the extreme right margins, but that they are widespread first and foremost among the middle sector of society.
Some findings of the research group can be found here (in German)
