Why East Central Europe is Not Quite Ready for Perón, but May Be One Day
Why East Central Europe is Not Quite Ready for Perón, but May Be One Day
Author(s): Daniel ChirotSubject(s): Political Philosophy, Civil Society, Political history, Government/Political systems, Social development, Post-Communist Transformation, Sociology of Politics
Published by: SAGE Publications Ltd
Keywords: East Central and Western Europe; postcommunist period; liberalism; capitalism; democracy; modern societies; postcommunist states;
Summary/Abstract: Vladimir Tismaneanu's essay is first-rate because it convincingly sets out one possible scenario for the future of postcommunist Europe. In the short run, it is not the most likely scenario, but in the long run, it is plausible enough to warrant close attention. His argument can help us understand the circumstances that might offer a base for a future revival of fascism in East Central Europe. Even if his pessimistic forecast does not come to pass (and I believe it will not), Professor Tismaneanu's argument is more constructive than the bland assurances we sometimes get that everything is going well and that all we need to do to insure a safe future for this area is to repeat slogans about civil society, democracy, and privatization. Those who wish to combat the reactionary forces he analyzes so well must be aware of their existence, their potential strength, and to know how, one day, they could become dominant. [...]
Journal: East European Politics and Societies
- Issue Year: 10/1996
- Issue No: 03
- Page Range: 536-540
- Page Count: 5
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF