Updated new edition of the SPIEGEL bestseller. The 2017 federal election marked a turning point: for the first time, the AfD entered the Bundestag. In the East, 21 percent voted for the far-right party, double the number in the West. Sociologist Wolfgang Engler and journalist Jana Hensel were among the first to investigate the causes. They examine three decades of East German history and the impact of neoliberalism and the international rightward shift in the East. Their book provides explanations that remain relevant today and serves as a resource for current debates: the AfD has now become the strongest force in the East. What are the implications for the East German state elections in 2024 and the federal election in 2025? Is history repeating itself with far greater consequences?

“Must read, must discuss further.” - Berliner Zeitung

“For anyone wanting to learn about East Germany, this book offers a wealth of historical, political, and social facts, as well as a controversial discussion.” - Frankfurter Allgemeine Woche

“A highly enjoyable controversy with a very serious background.” - SWR 2.