Page 87 - The Making of the German Post-war Economy

60 THE MAKING OF THE GERMAN POST-WAR ECONOMY

economists addressed the entire population and thus arguably stimulated
the public debate. Fundamentally, this was achieved by Müller-Armack’s
and Erhard’s sedulous advocacy for the Social Market Economy.
However, finally by Erhard’s assumption of office as Director in the
bizonal Administration for Economics, did the economic concept enter
the public and political sphere. This post enabled Erhard to mediate
between an academic, political and professional elite on the one side and
the general public on the other. Furthermore, this function equipped the
economist not only with the necessary political influence but also with an
effective press apparatus. Although Erhard did not attach great
importance to the individual medium as such in promoting his economic
view, the media in general became both an appreciated partner and an
indispensable vehicle for him. Not least, the press helped to make political
decisions transparent and it is arguable whether Erhard would have
politically survived without the support of the media given that his
economic measures, i.e. the ending of price control and government
control of the economy, were very unpopular. In order to ensure that
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the media were also conducive in presenting him as a competent
economist and politician, Erhard cultivated the company of selected
journalists and influential personages. These contacts proved also
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beneficial in establishing private initiatives in order to promote his
economic programme and policy. The eventual implementation, however,
required not only communication but also political backup. Here, the
socio-economic concept met the economic conceptions of the
conservative parties, in particular the CDU and his leader, Konrad
Adenauer.