In a historical overview the change of the group model especially in West-G
erman society is examined. During the youth rebellion in the sixties the gr
oup became a micro-society where the group members wanted to learn solidari
ty without repression and exclusion. This idea lived in groups sharing home
s, in parent groups who formed child education groups (children shops), and
in numerous socio-political group initiatives. The upswing of group therap
y also profited from this trend which, since the end of the seventies, gave
way to a trend of putting more emphasis on egocentrical rivalization where
especially the influence of economical structures of forced neoliberalism
prevails. Using own experiences the author describes the problems but also
the possibilities of working in citizens' initiatives and in spontaneous wo
rk groups with politicians and intellectuals.