Psychologische Phänomene der Wendebewältigung am Beispiel Rumäniens
Psychological Phenomena of Coping with Change – the Example of Romania

Summary/Abstract: The essay refers to the different ways of reflecting the past and of dealing with the new political, social and economic conditions and realities in the post-communist countries after 1989 using the example of Romania. As for the totalitarian systems people had lived in until 1989, both their life style and mentality had to be changed within a few years towards an open society with democracy, pluralism, free market economy and a competition system in all ranks. Living conditions have changed radically, therefore people are still searching for a new identity. Since 1990, many people have based their lives exclusively on economical success. Egoism, dog-eat-dog-society and loss of social competence and thinking have been accepted as new circumstances and adverse effects in politics, economics and society. Thus, after the communist ideology people are now confronted with the Western ideas of materialism and consumerism in the sense of a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods. On the other hand there also exists a considerable religious boom, especially in Romania. The Churches play a stabilizing role offering orientation and moral stability, asking for political and social justice and the conservation of traditional values.

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