Which half of Berlin (East or West) was more awful during the Cold War is not an easy question. It is a very subtle problem and it requires a very subtle solution without sliding into generalizations. The effort to point out any ultimate winner overlofixeds the complexities of life under two vastly different regimes, each involving its form of oppression and benefits. This discussion examines the differences between the two Berlins (East and West) and Lipservice to the complications of assessing which system had more to offer and which had more to blame.)
Life at East Berlin: The Attraction and the Tyranny of GDR
The capital of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) East Berlin had an image of a socialist utopia, a society aiming towards equality and social justice. Propaganda demonstrated prosperous societies, educational development, and low-rent houses. Thisimage, however, was keenly designed to conceal a nasty truth of omnipresent surveillance, restriction of liberties and a powerful, repressive state bureaucracy. The secret police in the GDR was called Stasi and they infiltrated all parts of the society creating an environment of fear and mistrust all the time.

The Shadow of Stasi; Surveillance and Repression
Stasi omnipresence made a long shadow on the everyday life. There were informants within all groups of the population, in working places as well as in families and they caused a lot of paranoia and self-censorship. The dissidents were subjected to imprisonment and harassment and in most cases, ruination of their lives and career. The very enormity of the Stasi apparatus, its legions of spies and spying devices, meant that a climate of constant fear was generated, a climate that inhibited free speech and the free intercourse of real social intercourse.

Low Opportunities and Economic Struggle and Hardship.
Although economic equality was promised, the centrally planned economy of the GDR had a hard time fulfilling its promises. There were frequent shortages of basic goods and the quality of products was often way below that of Western standards. Upward mobility was restricted and promotion was often based on party membership than on merit. The economic stagnation suffocated innovations and made people feel that they are stuck in a system which will hardly get any better.
Manipulated News and Suppressed Liberties
In East Berlin, information access was limited. All the media was state-owned and gave a very biased and unrealistic view of the world. West travel was also strongly prohibited, which is why East Berliners lacked significantly in seeing other points of view and ways of living. This control of information became the worldview of East Berliners, as they had limited perception of the outside world and the narrative of the government was strengthened.

Life in West Berlin: Liberties and Tensions in a City at Sea part 2
A sharp contrast to the east counterpart, West Berlin was an Island of democracy enclosed by communist East Germany. It had a strong free market economy, freedom of speech and assembly and access to large amounts of information and cultural experiences. Its survival as a democratic island in a communist state that was hostile to it, however, brought along its share of problems and fears.
Social Inequality and Economic Prosperity
West Berlin had much economic success caused by the Marshall Plan and the incorporation into the West German economy. This wealth, however, was not evenly spread and this led to the creation of social inequalities which were similar to those that existed in other western capitalist societies. The disparity in wealth between the rich and the poor generated a lot of social tension in the city. There was still poverty and unemployment despite the comparative prosperity of the city.

The looming Danger of the Berlin Wall
The omnipresent Berlin Wall had a physical and mental-psychological barrier effect and divided families, friends, and communities. Its shadow was casting a big shade on the life of West Berliners, reminding them that the communistic regime is very close and the danger of the outbreak of the conflict is always present. The presence of The Wall made them view the idea of security and freedom in the most distinctive manners.
Psychological Effect of Division
The psychological effect of the division of Berlin reached deep into the residents. The West Berliners, even though they had more freedoms, had to live knowing about the repressive system right behind the Wall. This closeness gave the feeling of precariousness and vulnerability. The psychological baggage of the segregation could not be washed out of the identity of the city.

Inexorable Comparisons: An Even-handed View.
At the end of the day, sensitivity of stating that either side is worse than the other is overly simplistic. East and West Berlin each came with their own series of problems and benefits. The residents of East Berlin enjoyed a level of social security and Equality that was never present in the West, however, at the expense of basic freedoms and individual rights. The people of West Berlin had more liberties and more economic prospects, yet they were under a constant stress of the communist regime and the shadow of the Wall that was lying close all the time.

Life of the people in both sectors was quite varied and multifaceted as it was dictated by a great number of various factors such as social status, political belonging and many others. To give a just evaluation, it would be necessary to consider the spectrum of experience and not to generalize on either party. History necessitates us to comprehend the intricacies of both of the systems and also the experiences of people who endured them.
In Conclusion: It is necessary to learn the subtlety of Divided Berlin.
The issue of which Berlin side was “worse” is, in the end, subjective and greatly depends on the priorities and values of a person. Both West and East Berlin were two different systems with their strengths and weaknesses. Only by focusing on the details of these two worlds, the life of constant Stasi-surveillance in one sector and the economic duality of West-Berlin in the other, we can hope to better understand the complications of life within a divided city and never again make the mistake of attempting a simplistic comparison. These complexities are significant to the overall comprehending of the history in the 20th century and the long-lasting effects of the Cold War.

“`