"...a method of operation by the Ministry for State Security for an efficacious struggle against subversive activities, particularly in the treatment of operations. With ''Zersetzung'' one can influence hostile and negative individuals across different operational political activities, especially the hostile and negative aspects of their dispositions and beliefs, so these are abandoned and changed little by little, and, if applicable, the contradictions and differences between the hostile and negative forces would be laid open, exploited, and reinforced.
The goal of ''Zersetzung'' is the fragmentation, paralysis, disorganization, and isolation of the hostile and negative forces, in order to preventatively impede the hostile and negative activities, to largely restrict, or to totally avert them, and if applicable to prepare the ground for a political and ideological reestablishment.
''Zersetzung'' is equally an immediate constitutive element of "operational procedures" and other preventive activities to impede hostile gatherings. The principal forces to execute ''Zersetzung'' are the inofficial collaborators. ''Zersetzung'' presupposes information and significant proof of hostile activities planned, prepared, and accomplished as well as anchor points corresponding to measures of ''Zersetzung''.
''Zersetzung'' must be produced on the basis of a root cause analysis of the facts and the exact definition of a concrete goal. ''Zersetzung'' must be executed in a uniform and supervised manner; its results must be documented.
The political explosive force of ''Zersetzung'' heightens demands regarding the maintenance of secrecy."〔Ministry for Security of State, ''Dictionary of political and operational work'', entry ''Zersetzung'': Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (Hrsg.): ''Wörterbuch zur politisch-operativen Arbeit'', 2. Auflage (1985), Stichwort: „Zersetzung“, GVS JHS 001-400/81, .〕