Ethnic Struggle, Coexistence, and Democratization in Eastern Europe
The role of ethnic protests in shaping democratic processes
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:1st May '14
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book examines how ethnic Hungarians in Romania and Slovakia used protest to achieve policy changes and enhance their democratic participation, as detailed in Ethnic Struggle, Coexistence, and Democratization in Eastern Europe.
In Ethnic Struggle, Coexistence, and Democratization in Eastern Europe, the author explores how ethnic Hungarians in Romania and Slovakia utilized protest as a means to influence policy changes and integrate their communities into the democratic process. The book presents a compelling argument that these protests allowed various ethnic groups to gain insights into each other's perspectives, ultimately leading to the establishment of new democratic institutions. The author emphasizes the significance of understanding the dynamics of ethnic and religious divisions in societies, particularly in the context of party mobilization and majority rule.
The text delves into the complexities of democracy in ethnically divided societies, highlighting the challenges faced by minority groups in endorsing democratic institutions when their political representation is consistently marginalized. Despite these challenges, several Eastern European nations have successfully navigated the path toward democracy. Sherrill Stroschein's analysis reveals that sustained ethnic protest in Romania and Slovakia during the 1990s resulted in policy concessions that could not be achieved through traditional electoral means, contrasting the situation in Transcarpathia, Ukraine.
Throughout Ethnic Struggle, Coexistence, and Democratization in Eastern Europe, the author illustrates how the ongoing contention between ethnic groups fostered a de facto deliberative process. This process not only moderated extreme positions but also contributed to the gradual consolidation of democratic norms. By examining these dynamics, the book provides valuable insights into the interplay between ethnic identity, protest, and democratic development in a complex regional landscape.
"Sherrill Stroschein reinvents the study of contentious politics in divided societies by making two original and compelling arguments. One is that the policy concerns of ordinary citizens, rather than the manipulative actions of political leaders, explain why minorities mobilize. The other is that such mobilizations, especially over time, provide needed information to citizens and policy-makers. As a result, they contribute to more positive relations between majorities and minorities while investing in the quality of public policy and democratic life." Valerie Bunce, Cornell University
"Ethnic Struggle, Coexistence, and Democratization in Eastern Europe is an innovative and thoughtful analysis of difficult ethnic politics in Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine – and the transformative power of deliberation and minority protest in ameliorating conflict. The systematic attention to the temporal dynamics of contention and moderation makes it an outstanding contribution to the field." Anna Grzymala-Busse, University of Michigan
"This meticulously researched study persuasively demonstrates how the routinization of contestation in multi-ethnic polities can contribute to democratic consolidation and lead publics away from (rather than toward) violent confrontation. The book also shows how ethnic and linguistic minorities not represented as groups in national political parties can nonetheless prompt meaningful political change. Stroschein’s findings, while firmly grounded in multiple Eastern European contexts, have important implications for democratic theory and the practice of building democratic institutions beyond the region. This book should be of great interest to social scientists and policy practitioners alike." Jessica Pisano, University of Ottawa
"Sherrill Stroschein's book is a valuable read for comparative scholars and area experts … the volume is useful, provoking, and responsibly presented." Richard P. Farkas, DePaul University, Slavic Review
- Short-listed for Distinguished Book Award, Ethnicity, Nationalism and Migration Section, International Studies Association 2014
- Short-listed for Joseph Rothschild Prize in Nationalism and Ethnic Studies, Association for the Study of Nationalities 2013
ISBN: 9781107656949
Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 18mm
Weight: 490g
314 pages