Im Parteiauftrag: Herbert Warnke an der Spitze des FDGB

Abstract

This essay looks at how Herbert Warnke, 1948–1975 chairman of the federale executive board FDGB and member of the SED- (Socialist Unity Party of Germany) leadership, thought and behaved in the political scenery of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and how he understood his own role. The article focuses on the divergence between individuality and communist party-discipline. Another problem is the applicability of idea “elite” for the FDGB-leadership. Answer upon this is abiding ambiguous. Warnke’s politcal career was exemplary referring to this: Party-discipline on the one hand, and frequently to run withdrawal in private life otherwise.