Gruppe 47: Literature, Politics, and the Political Economy of Postwar Publishing

Scholars have long acknowledged the significance of Gruppe 47's close ties to the literary market. Group meetings from the early 1950s onward included a large number of media and publishing representatives. This is generally seen as a strong indicator of the group's success. However, the circumstances under which the group was able to form these market connections remain poorly understood. Studies tend to imply that there was a natural transition from literary merit to widespread public attention. This article reveals that the common perception hinges on a teleological bias. Gruppe 47's rise to success was neither linear nor self‐evident. Most importantly, the group's success was not brought about by literary merit. Other factors had a far greater impact, including political orientation, and an organisational structure that facilitated market connections. As a model, the particular case of Gruppe 47 is indicative of both the potential and the drawbacks of any such institution: While a cultural organisation with close ties to the market is exceptionally effective at promoting and popularising talent, it is equally effective at eclipsing commensurate talent, especially outside its boundaries.