Do mormonism and the former German democratic republic have anything in common?: An examination of marx's concept of the asiatic mode of production

Abstract

While both Mormonism and the GDR state promoted conformity and obedience in their respective populaces, these two centralized bureaucratic systems also fostered high levels of education which often stimulated critical thought. Needless to say, the paternalistic outlooks of both Mormon Church leaders and SED elites clashed increasingly in recent decades with the views, respectively, of many rank-and-file Mormons (particularly those who earned advanced degrees at secular universities) and many rank-and-file SED members as well as ordinary GDR citizens. The paternalistic posture of SED elites produced a deep cynicism and resentment towards public statements made by the former. At some level, mo..