Communism and the Emergence of Democracy

Communism and the Emergence of Democracy

Author: Harald Wydra

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2007-02-08

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 1139462180

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Before democracy becomes an institutionalised form of political authority, the rupture with authoritarian forms of power causes deep uncertainty about power and outcomes. This book connects the study of democratisation in eastern Europe and Russia to the emergence and crisis of communism. Wydra argues that the communist past is not simply a legacy but needs to be seen as a social organism in gestation, where critical events produce new expectations, memories and symbols that influence meanings of democracy. By examining a series of pivotal historical events, he shows that democratisation is not just a matter of institutional design, but rather a matter of consciousness and leadership under conditions of extreme and traumatic incivility. Rather than adopting the opposition between non-democratic and democratic, Wydra argues that the communist experience must be central to the study of the emergence and nature of democracy in (post-) communist countries.


‘True Democracy’ as a Prelude to Communism

‘True Democracy’ as a Prelude to Communism

Author: Alexandros Chrysis

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-12-10

Total Pages: 255

ISBN-13: 3319575414

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This book constitutes a critical intervention in the theoretical discussion over the political relationship between democracy and communism. Shedding light on the philosophical origins of the democracy debate, it draws a clear demarcation line between liberalism and republicanism, arguing that after rejecting the former and supporting the latter, the young Marx endorsed 'true democracy' as a prelude to his forthcoming theory of communism. To this end, while following the dynamics of the Marxian history of political ideas and pre-communist theory of the state, the book takes into account the thought of a vast range of philosophers and political theorists, starting from the Ancient times (Aristotle), passing through the Age of Enlightenment (Spinoza, Rousseau), the German Idealist tradition (Hegel) the Young Hegelians’ Republicanism (Bauer, Ruge, Feuerbach), and reaching our own times (Arendt, Colletti, MacPherson, Castoriadis, Poulantzas). It will be of interest to students and scholars interested in the history of political thought, theories of democracy, and Marxism.


Central and East European Politics

Central and East European Politics

Author: Sharon L. Wolchik

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 433

ISBN-13: 0742567346

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"A useful text and reference book. These essays are at their best in serving both area study and political sociology."--Slavic Review --


Democracy and Post-Communism

Democracy and Post-Communism

Author: Graeme Gill

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2003-08-27

Total Pages: 430

ISBN-13: 1134485557

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The collapse of communism was widely heralded as the dawn of democracy across the former Soviet region. However, the political outcome has been much less uniform. The post-communist states have developed political systems from democracy to dictatorship. Using examples and empirical data collected from twenty-six former Soviet states, Graeme Gill provides a detailed comparative analysis of the core issues of regime change, the creation of civil society, economic reform and the changing nature of post-communism. Within these individual cases, it becomes clear that political outcomes have not been arbitrary, but directly reflect the circumstances surrounding the birth of independence. Students of Comparative Politics, International Relations and Russian and Post-Soviet Studies should find this book essential reading.


Assault on Democracy

Assault on Democracy

Author: Kurt Weyland

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-02-04

Total Pages: 399

ISBN-13: 1108844332

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Why did democratization suffer reversal during the interwar years, while fascism and authoritarianism spread across many European countries?


Communism, Fascism, and Democracy

Communism, Fascism, and Democracy

Author: Carl Cohen

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities, Social Sciences & World Languages

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 710

ISBN-13:

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Part Two, Fascism, presents central passages from notable Italian and German fascists not readily accessible elsewhere. In this third edition, Part Two is reorganized to exhibit more clearly the relation between the early theoretical defenses of irrationalism and nationalism and the manifestation of these themes in the politics of fascist Italy and Germany.


Socialism, Democracy and Human Rights

Socialism, Democracy and Human Rights

Author: L. I. Brezhnev

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2013-10-22

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 1483188809

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Socialism, Democracy and Human Rights discusses the environment of Soviet socialist democracy. The viewpoint of human rights and the exercise of rights are evaluated in the perspective of Soviet Union. The book aims to guide the Soviet people in the practice of their rights, freedom, and duties as citizens. The text begins with some historical recollection. The spread of Leninism, the establishment of communist party, and members of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) are explained. The process on how a country became a member of the USSR is given in detail. The Bolshevik party is a group being led by Vladimir Lenin. The ideals and goals of Vladimir Lenin, being the leader of the USSR, are evaluated. The philosophy of Marxism is also a focus of the book. The book is a good source of historical data on the organization and administration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It is intended for any reader interested in the history of the USSR.