Fragile dreams : tales of liberalism and power in central Europe / John A. Gould.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gould, John Abley, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Liberalism--Europe, Central--20th century.

Liberalism.

Liberalism--Europe, Central--21st century.

Europe, Central--Politics and government--1989-.

Europe, Central.

Europe, Central--Social conditions--1989-.

Europe, Central--History--1989-.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (261 pages)

Place of Publication:

Ann Arbor, Michigan : University of Michigan Press, 2021.

Summary:

In Fragile Dreams, John A. Gould examines Central European communism, why it failed, and what has come since. Moving loosely chronologically from 1989 to the present, each chapter focuses on topics of importance to the fields of comparative politics, sociology, and feminist and gender studies. He addresses literature and key events related to the following: uprisings and social movements; communism and liberalism; the 20th century communist experience; post-communist liberal economic and political reform; politicized identity (with a focus on nation, gender and sexual orientation); democratization and EU accession; homophobia; and finally, populism and democratic decline. He draws heavily from his own research and experience as well as case studies of the former Czechoslovakia, Western Balkans, and Hungary--but much of the analysis has general applicability to the broader postcommunist region. Broad in its coverage, this academically rigorous book is ideal for students, travelers, and general readers. Gould writes in the first person and seamlessly blends theory with stories both from the existing literature and from 30 years of regional personal experience with family and friends. Throughout, Gould introduces key concepts, players, and events with precise definitions. Wherever possible, he emphasizes marginalized narratives, centering theory and stories that are often overlooked in standard comparative political science literature.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments

Chapter 1. Revolutions: The Fall of Communism as Witnessed from a Beer Barrel and Beyond

Chapter 2. Communism: The Political Importance of Telling a Good Story

Chapter 3. Neoliberalism: Why BMWs Don't Just Randomly Explode!

Chapter 4. Nationalism: Liberalism's Evil Twin Screws Up the Enlightenment

Chapter 5. Ethnic Conflict: The Breakup of Yugoslavia

Chapter 6. "Transitology": How I Joined the Global Conspiracy against Slovakia

Chapter 7. Intervention: Liberalism Weaponized in the Western Balkans

Chapter 8. International Relations: The West Gets Cocky

Chapter 9. Homophobia: The Political Uses of Fear

Chapter 10. Populism: Austerity, Fear, and Loathing on Central Europe's Periphery

Chapter 11. Illiberal Democracy: The Political Economy of Hungary's Liberal Unraveling (with Zsolt Gál, Comenius University)

Liberalism's Fragile Dream

Notes

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 201-230) and index.

Description based on information from the publisher.

ISBN:

9780472129461

0472129465

OCLC:

1256450812