State Security / national security
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State Security
The name for the domestic and foreign intelligence service of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), often called 'Stasi' for short. This organization was responsible for monitoring the population, espionage, and suppressing political opponents.
Viele Bürger der DDR wurden von der Staatssicherheit bespitzelt.
Many citizens of the GDR were spied on by State Security.
The word is made up of 'Staat' (state), the linking -s, and 'Sicherheit' (security). So it literally describes the security of the state.
Die Staatssicherheit war ein zentrales Machtinstrument der DDR-Führung.
State Security was a central instrument of power for the GDR leadership.
In German, 'die Staatssicherheit' almost always refers to the intelligence service of the former GDR. The historical context is crucial for understanding it.
Er forscht über die Methoden der Staatssicherheit in den 1980er Jahren.
He is researching the methods of State Security in the 1980s.
In everyday language and in the media, the abbreviation 'die Stasi' is almost always used. This short form is very common and is understood immediately.
Nach dem Mauerfall wurden die Akten der Stasi geöffnet.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Stasi files were opened.
Common verbs in this context are 'von der Staatssicherheit überwacht werden' (to be monitored by State Security) or 'für die Staatssicherheit arbeiten' (to work for State Security). People also often talk about the 'Akten der Staatssicherheit' (State Security files).
Tausende Bürger arbeiteten als Informanten für die Staatssicherheit.
Thousands of citizens worked as informants for State Security.
Office for the Protection of the Constitution
'Verfassungsschutz' and 'Staatssicherheit' can both have to do with state security and intelligence services. Nevertheless, they are not the same thing. 'der Verfassungsschutz' is the current German domestic intelligence service, which collects information about threats to the democratic order. In Germany, 'die Staatssicherheit' usually means the secret police of the GDR, that is, the 'Stasi'. It is strongly associated with surveillance and oppression. In a general sense, 'Staatssicherheit' can also mean the security of a state, but today people are more likely to say 'nationale Sicherheit' (national security) for that. Learners may confuse the words because both sound very state-related and official. For the current German agency, say 'Verfassungsschutz'; for the GDR organization, say 'Staatssicherheit' or 'Stasi'.
Viele Menschen in der DDR wurden von der Staatssicherheit überwacht.
Many people in the GDR were monitored by State Security.
In den Nachrichten berichtet der Verfassungsschutz über extremistische Gruppen.
In the news, the domestic intelligence service reports on extremist groups.