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Alle hoorcolleges Andere Europa (met slides)
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Introduction: Eastern Europe/1989 as a turning pointHC 1 The Other Europe | 28.10.2014
Why the „Other‟ Europe?
Where is „Eastern Europe‟? Political/geographical conventions:
Eastern Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia, [Baltic States, Finland]. Countries that
belonged to the Soviet Union. Narrow definition.
(East) Central Europe: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia. Group of states
between Germany and the Soviet region.
South East Europe (the Balkans): Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Albania, [Greece].
Geographically Greece also belongs to Eastern Europe, but not politically/culturally:
- classical heritage
- cold war thinking
„Othering‟: practical reasons?
UvA responded to end of Cold War division (1989-91). There have been changes, yet
the specialization seems to be retained.
The same east/west division existed further into history. Historical imprint from
different political systems.
Practical: mostly Slavic languages (except e.g. Rumanian) language family.
1989
25th Anniversary: a spoilt party Ukrainian Crisis (2013-14)
Ukraine used to belong to the Soviet Union, not a sovereign state. new states and new
boundaries after 1991. Legacy of 1989: end of communism, transformations.
Conflict 2013: the people of Ukraine wanted to be part of the EU. Ukraine had to choose
between the EU and Russia. Eastern Europeans wanted to be part of another Europe: the
EU (instead of under Russian influence). Thorn between west and east.
Russia‟s reaction: occupation of Crimea.
„Return to Europe‟ vs. new fracture lines in Europe.
one of the post-1989 borders still causes territorial problems. Some post-cold war conflicts
still exist.
What was „1989‟? Chain of events that influenced one another.
Jun-Aug Poland „Free‟ elections, first non-communist government.
Sep Hungary Cutting „Iron curtain‟ and Round Table Talks.
Hungary facilitated the exodus of the GDR.
Nov (18) Berlin Breach in the Wall.
Nov-Dec Prague Government wiped away by street demonstrators.
Government of „National Understanding‟.
Nov Bulgaria Zhivkov resigns.
Dec Romania Street fighting, army took their side, Ceausescu
killed.
, satellite states had regime changes within months. The idea of a communist alternative (to
capitalism) had been delegitimized. Centrally planned economies replaced by market
economies. End of Cold War & bi-polar world: changes in international relations (e.g.
globalization).
Euphoria 1989: Fukoyama
Not just the end of Cold War, but the end of history as such. Ideological evolution
completed. Winner: Western liberal democracy.
The End of History: no more antagonisms.
Summary: 1989
- Actors: reform wing in established communist or „national front‟ parties, organized
opposition (dissidents), crucial role of security apparatus
- Domino effects, close dependence between events
- Two types: a) clear cut frontlines (PL, CSSR); b) Reform wings in Communist Parties
(Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria)
- Special case Germany: dependence of GDR on Wall, exodus and links to events in
Hungary and CSSR, immediate re-emergence of idea of re- unification
Summary: causes
- Revolution not unexpected, but surprising speed
- Signs of discontent vs. passive populations
- Strong security apparatus
- Economic decline. Social security & moderate consumption: future of the deal?
Yet:
- (Except Poland) political opposition small and dissidents and marginalized > role of party
elites (reformers) decisive
- End of Brezhnev doctrine & Soviet support for individual rulers (not questioning socialism!)
Knock-on effects
Short term: reunification of Germany 1990 impact on development of the EU. EU
integration because of fear Europeans (Germany too big). Condition for reunification.
Catalyst in the Yugoslav Crisis.
Break-up of the Soviet Union. (1990-1991)
Long term: „return to Europe‟ = EU membership of (East) Central Europe.
International relations
West „wins‟ the Cold War (?) Globalization or US uncontested leader?
„Return to Europe‟ - European integration Power relations within Europe?
Future of international organization: UN, NATO…?
New states, „failing states‟ (some on former Soviet ground) and human intervention:
norm-driven international relations vs. sovereignty & integrity of states.
Acceptance of „new order‟ in Europe?
, Present: a parting of ways split into Eastern Europe specifically (former Soviet Union no
prospects of EU integration), Central Europe (EU membership 2004), Balkans and Western
Balkan region (some membership, some in waiting room).
Communism
HC 2 The Other Europe | 31.10.2014
Socialism and communism: historical roots
End 18th century/beginning 19th century 2 revolutions that changed the outlook of society:
French revolution political revolution: before the French revolution little social
mobility (e.g. born as a peasant = always a peasant). Revolution loads of great
promises such as liberty & equality. Increasing number of people that could vote
ideology liberalism: certain citizen rights, individual development & defending property
rights (private, where the state can‟t reach you).
Industrial revolution: mass production more affordable products. Accumulation in
large speed. Industrialization spread unevenly: eastern Europe underdeveloped in
comparison to the west.
Early 19th Century Europe: negative effects of industrialization / capitalism:
• Large scale impoverishment
• Concentration of capital in hands of a small group New social inequality (classes)
replace old (estates)
• Uprooting of large groups within society (people lost their roots)
• Political participation (right to vote) linked to property rights protest
> Critique of private control over means of production inequality challenged liberalism.
(also critique from within liberalism defends property rights & individual development)
> Proposition for alternatives of distribution of wealth.
Marxism: „scientific‟ socialism
Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels.
Critique of early socialist thinking as “naïve and unsystematic”
Empirical study „deprivation‟ (where workers were deprived of wealth). textile
industry Lancashire 1840s. + Hegel‟s concept of dialectical stages of development:
class struggle as moving force in history.
Historical analysis to unearth development laws & look into the future.
- staircase
- looks at sphere of production
“Scientific” prognosis: proletariat will seize power and realize socialism in the short term
and communism in the long run. The number of oppressed workers will increase & they
become strong enough to get rid of the bourgeoisie and take the means of production.
Distribute evenly communism: state unnecessary because no more inequality.
This theory suggests that the proletariat will have to get organized…
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