Adult education in post‐war Germany

Much has been said and written about the ‘economic miracle’ the phrase which is used in connection with the post‐war economic reconstruction of the Federal Republic of Germany. Yet little notice appears to have been taken of Germany's equally impressive expansion of adult education which has been a feature of this same period. It is hoped that this article, based on fairly extensive research, will provide the reader with a useful outline of the extent and nature of the work in this field which has been developed by the two most important providing bodies — the folk high schools and the trade unions. In particular we shall be concerned to ascertain whether (in the light of Germany's pre‐war condition) these efforts have contributed much, or anything at all, to meet one of the Federal Republic's most urgent needs — the strengthening and protection of a democratic way of life.