The Reemergence Of Civil Society In Eastern Europe And The Soviet Union

by Zbigniew Rau

Overview

The turmoil that shook Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and challenged traditional centers of power in the Soviet Union has touched off an intense debate about the forces behind the recent collapse of Soviet-type systems. Civil society, a key concept in the debate, is the focus of this thought-provoking volume, which contrasts the views of Eastern scholars and activists in independent movements against those of Western academics. The authors' various perspectives on the struggle between the people and their governments highlight different facets of civil society, providing new insights into its definition, origin, and function within a nation's public life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367310936
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/09/2020
Pages:	183
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.31(h) x (d)

About the Author

Zbigniew Rau teaches Soviet government and the politics of Eastern Europe at the University of Texas-Austin.

Table of Contents

Introduction — Human Nature, Social Engineering and the Reemergence of Civil Society — The Nature of Society and Social Conflict as Depicted in the Polish Press in 1981 — Intellectuals and Their Two Paths to Civil Society in Estonia — Civil Society and National Emancipation: The Ukrainian Case — Creating a Crimean Tatar National Movement: The Role and Impact of Literature — From Nationalism to Civil Society and Tolerance — Post-Totalitarianism, Civil Society, and the Limits of the Western Model — Revolution, Civil Society, and Democracy

Editorial Reviews

Eastern scholars and activists in democratic movements, and western scholars, present various and at times contending views of the struggle of Eastern Europeans against their governments, and provide insights into the definition, origin, and function of civil society within a nation's public life. The nine papers were presented to a conference at Austin, Texas, April 1990. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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