The national idea has played a very powerful role in the regime, state and economic transitions in post-communist Eurasia. The important role of national identity can have positive effects as well as negative ones - for example in case of the Racist Extremism. Nationalism is able to play a powerful role to create movements of extremism, and this role differs in its importance between the different countries of Eastern Europe as well as between countries of Eastern Europe compared to other countries. In my Essay, I will first try to explain where the nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe after the communist era comes from. Afterwards, I will concentrate in those negative effects which I mentioned. I will compare the racist extremism and finally I will compare the situation there to the situation in Western countries. I will try to find reasons for the existing situation, although I know that a respectable analysis would clearly exceed the size of this short essay.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Post-Soviet Nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe
3. Racism in Central and Eastern Europe
3.1. Politic Parties
3.2. Subculture
4. Conclusion
5. Appendix
5.1. Definitions
5.2. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This essay aims to explore the origins and manifestations of nationalism and racist extremism in post-communist Central and Eastern Europe, comparing these developments with the situation in Western countries to understand the underlying causes and regional variations.
- Origins of post-communist nationalism in Eurasia
- The role of racist extremism in political parties
- Analysis of radical subcultures and militant organizations
- Comparison between Eastern and Western European trends
- Impact of historical and social transitions on national identity
Excerpt from the Book
3.2. Subculture
Radical Subcultures, namely skinhead/hooligan-gangs exist in all countries of Central and Eastern Europe, but they are not relevant everywhere. In the group with the highest grade of mobilization, they are a strong and violent subculture. (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland). In Slovenia, a division of the National Socialist organization Blood & Honour has been found. In countries like Bulgaria, Estonia and Hungary they have a weakly developed subculture and in Latvia and Romania they have such a low grade of organisation, that this movement is only an isolated phenomenon.
It is not easy to compare these subcultures in Central and Eastern Europe to those in Western Europe. Most of the organized subcultures in Western Europe have had their best time in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They have decreasing numbers at the moment, while the numbers in Central and Eastern Europe are still increasing, as it is a relatively new phenomenon there. They still remained strong in Germany, and in some parts, namely in the former DDR, they still attract many young people and therefore also have increasing numbers.
It has to be said at this point, that lot of this militant racist organizations have of course not much to do with the classical nationalism, but take their ideologies from elsewhere. At the example of Blood & Honour, which I mentioned above: It is an organization, which exists in many countries around the globe. The national ideologies are often mixed with ideologies from other subculture organizations.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the significant role of the national idea in post-communist transitions and defines the essay's focus on racist extremism and nationalism in Eastern Europe.
2. Post-Soviet Nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe: This chapter analyzes the collapse of state socialism and how the vacuum was filled by a resurgence of national identity and struggles against imperial legacies.
3. Racism in Central and Eastern Europe: This section examines the presence of racist extremism through both political parties and radical subcultures across various Eastern European nations.
3.1. Politic Parties: This subsection discusses the role of extremist movements within anti-communist political structures and their varying levels of success across different countries.
3.2. Subculture: This subsection identifies the prevalence and nature of radical, violent subcultures like skinhead gangs and their ideological origins in the region.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes that while extremist tendencies exist, they are not a major political force and are often driven by socio-economic conditions rather than pure nationalism.
5. Appendix: This section provides essential definitions for core concepts like nation, nationalism, and racist extremism, alongside a bibliography of cited sources.
5.1. Definitions: This part clarifies the author's working definitions of political and social terms used throughout the study.
5.2. Bibliography: This section lists the academic literature and reports referenced in the essay.
Keywords
Nationalism, Racist Extremism, Post-Communism, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Political Parties, Subculture, Skinheads, State Socialism, National Identity, Eurasia, Ethnic Conflict, Radicalization, Social Transition, Imperial Legacy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the rise of national ideas and the role of racist extremism in Central and Eastern Europe following the fall of communism.
Which key thematic areas are addressed in the text?
The text covers the historical transition from communism, the formation of political parties, the rise of radical subcultures, and comparisons with Western European societal trends.
What is the author's main research question?
The essay seeks to explain the origins of nationalism after the communist era and to evaluate the prevalence and impact of racist extremism in the region.
What scientific methods were employed?
The author uses a comparative analysis approach, looking at regional political developments and subcultural trends in various post-communist states.
What topics are explored in the main body?
The main body investigates the institutional impact of post-Soviet nationalism, the electoral performance of extremist parties, and the mobilization of violent radical subcultures.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include nationalism, post-communism, racist extremism, political parties, and subculture.
How does the author define the geographical scope of the study?
The study refers to post-communist states in Central and Eastern Europe that joined or were slated to join the European Union between 2004 and 2007, such as Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
What does the author conclude regarding the success of extremist parties?
The author concludes that while extremist groups exist, they have not become a major political force and are generally less successful than their counterparts in Western Europe.
Does the author link nationalism to socio-economic factors?
Yes, the author suggests that extremist behavior is often triggered by poor living conditions, such as unemployment, rather than being solely driven by nationalistic ideology.
- Citar trabajo
- Philipp Schär (Autor), 2006, The Arise of the National Idea and National Extremism in Post-Communist Central and Eastern Europe, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/67811
