Comment by 21asdffdsa12
1 month ago
It was also not very unique? The social intimidation like arresting family members, public shaming and widespread people spying on people are just the cookie cutter template? China, NK are still cooking this recipe.
The GDR had possibly the highest ratio of secret police (Stasi) employees per # population in world history, it was really ridiculous how paranoid that government was. About 0.5% of the population were Stasi employees and an additional 1% were "inofficial employees", informers.
Its also the measly rewards that they did it for. In a dysfunctional economy, some people sold out there family and friends, cutting them of forever, for as little as a cheeseburger now and then.