Politics without a Past: The Absence of History in Postcommunist Nationalism - Couverture souple

Cohen, Shari J.

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0822323990 ISBN 13 : 9780822323990

Editeur : Duke University Press, 1999

Synopsis

In Politics without a Past Shari J. Cohen offers a powerful challenge to
common characterizations of postcommunist politics as either a resurgence of
aggressive nationalism or an evolution toward Western-style democracy. Cohen
draws upon extensive field research to paint a picture of postcommunist
political life in which ideological labels are meaningless and exchangeable
at will, political parties appear and disappear regularly, and citizens
remain unengaged in the political process.
In contrast to the conventional wisdom, which locates the roots of widespread intranational strife in deeply rooted national identities from the past, Cohen argues that a profound ideological vacuum has fueled destructive tension throughout postcommunist Europe and the former Soviet Union. She uses Slovakia as a case study to reveal that communist regimes bequeathed an insidious form of historical amnesia to the majority of the political elite and the societies they govern. Slovakia was particularly vulnerable to communist intervention since its precommunist national consciousness was so weak and its only period of statehood prior to 1993 was as a Nazi puppet-state. To demonstrate her argument, Cohen focuses on Slovakia's failure to forge a collective memory of the World War II experience. She shows how communist socialization prevented Slovaks from tying their individual family stories-of the Jewish deportations, of the anti-Nazi resistance, or of serving in the wartime government-to a larger historical narrative shared with others, leaving them bereft of historical or moral bearings.
Politics without a Past develops an analytical framework that will be important for future research in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and beyond. Scholars in political science, history, East European and post-Soviet studies will find Cohen's methodology and conclusions enlightening. For policymakers, diplomats, and journalists who deal with the region, she offers valuable insights into the elusive nature of postcommunist societies.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Shari J. Cohen, a political scientist, is currently Senior Research Fellow at the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership in New York City.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Duke University Press
• Date d'édition: 1999
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0822323990
• ISBN 13: 9780822323990
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 296
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible