Course Description:
The course focuses on the politics of the Czech Republic and other countries in Central and South-Eastern Europe, both in the present day and in recent history. Students will learn about the fundamental characteristics of undemocratic communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe during the second half of the 20th century. It will also examine the transition to democracy in Czechoslovakia and other countries in the region. It will include an analysis of political developments in the region in the 1990s which led to the strengthening of democratic principles in some countries and armed conflict in others (e.g. the former Yugoslavia). Students will also learn about Central European politics from the perspective of political theory, including ideology, post-communism and civil society. As well as analysing the position and development of key constitutional institutions, emphasis will be placed on political traditions in the Central European region and their impact on current events, social discourse and political culture. Specifically, the course will focus on similarities and differences in institutional frameworks for political relations, including regional cooperation within the Visegrad Group.
Tentative course outline:
1. Introductory lecture
2. The roots and traditions of politics in Central Europe
3. World War II in Central and Eastern Europe and its impact on the post-war order
4. Communist regimes in Central Europe
5. Communist regimes in Southeast Europe
6. The crisis of legitimacy and transitions to democracy in Central and Southeast Europe
7. Nationalism and conflicts in the post-Communist East-Central Europe
8. Political systems of Central European countries
9. Political systems of Southeast European countries
10. The phenomenon of post-communism: problems of political culture in post-communist countries
11. Citizenship, civil society, and participation in Central Europe
12. Regional cooperation in Central Europe
13. Current challenges for Central European politics
Requirements:
1. Presentation
Beginning with the 7th lecture 2 individual presentations (20 minutes) – together with the discussion – comprise the seminar.
The presentaton´s theme has to be discussed with the lecturer, too. Based on the themes agreed the lecturer will present the schedule of presentations for the second half of the term.
2. Oral exam.
Compulsory readings:
Lewis, Paul G. (2000): Political parties in post-communist Eastern Europe. London : Routledge
Zakaria, Fareed (2003): The future of freedom : illiberal democracy at home abroad. 1. New York ; W.W. Norton & Company.
Further recommended sources:
Ágh, Attila (2019): Declining Democracy in East-Central Europe. The Divide in the EU and the Emerging Hard Populism. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Cabada, Ladislav – Hloušek, Vít – Jurek, Petr (2014): Political Parties in East Central Europe. Lanham: Lexington Books
Cabada, Ladislav – Waisová, Šárka et al (2018): Security, Foreign and European policy of the Visegrad Group. Prague: Togga.
Cabada, Ladislav – Waisová, Šárka (2011): Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic in World Politics. Lanham: Lexington Books.
Gajda, Kinga Anna (ed.) (2024): (Non)Commemoration of the Heritage in Eastern Europe. Berlin: Peter Lang.
Gajda, Kinga Anna (ed.) (2023). The Heritage of Central and Eastern Europe, Berlin: Peter Lang.
Kukovič, Simona – Just, Petr (eds.) (2022): The Rise of Populism in Central and Eastern Europe, Edward Elgar Publishing.
Rončevič, Borut – Besednjak Valič, Tamara (eds.) (2024): Sociology and Post-Socialist Transformations in Eastern Europe: A Cultural Political Economy Approach, Cham: Springer.
Söderbaum, Fredrik – Spandler, Kilian – Pacciardi, Agnese (2021): Contestations of the Liberal International Order. A Populist Script of Regional Cooperation. Cambridge University Press.
- Teacher: Cabada Ladislav