The Potsdam Grievance Statistic File (PGSF)

The Potsdam Grievance Statistics File (PGSF) is a historical data collection of complaints, so-called Eingaben, made in the GDR. Eingaben were formulated verbally or in written form by GDR citizens and addressed to the GDR’s authorities. The state counted and categorized these grievances and compiled grievance statistics.
The PGSF comprises grievance statistics for the period 1970–1989. The data set is based on a probability sample of counties that existed in 1990. In addition, the PGSF contains a convenience sample of counties for 1970-1989.

Topics:

Regional classification: The data set contains several county and district identification numbers.

Time variables that describe the time period for the reported number of Eingaben: start and end date of the reporting period for each observation; multi-year observation; middle date between the start and end date; year of the middle date; length of the reporting period.

Variables regarding the number of Eingaben: total number of Eingaben during the reporting period; number of oral and written Eingaben; numbers of Eingaben by topic, social structure regarding people who submitted Eingaben.

Variables regarding the validity of the reported numbers: difference between total number of Eingaben and sum of Eingaben by topic; indicator variable for a nonzero difference between total number of Eingaben and sum of Eingaben by topic; indicator variables for the source of the total number of Eingaben as well as the numbers of Eingaben by topic; indicator variable for missing subordinate institutions;

Auxiliary variables: weight variable; resident population on the county-level.