Power and Protest in Central and Eastern Europe

This book offers a detailed overview of the politics of contemporary social movements in Central and Eastern Europe. The analysis of 11 countries reveals the relevance of protest events, social movements, and civil society in shaping democratic transition and consolidation, electoral politics and institutions, socio-economic policies, and geopolitical orientation. This volume shows how power structures and government institutions respond to civic mobilisations and protests, using diverse tactics ranging from co-option to repression and how protests and mobilisations became consequential in the region's politics.

Fills a gap in our understanding of the power processes and their contestation in Central and Eastern European countries Includes case studies for 11 countries in the region Takes a 'post-transition' perspective focusing on state, regime, and economic transformation in the last 10-15 years

Autorentext

Claudiu Crciun is Lecturer in European Politics at the National University of Political Studies and Administration in Bucharest, Romania.

Henry Rammelt is Associate Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the National University of Political Studies and Administration in Bucharest, Romania.

Klappentext

This important book offers a detailed tapestry of protest and struggle in Central and Eastern Europe on issues ranging from the rights of women and minorities, the environment, social justice, and, above all, resistance to authoritarian drift and democratic backsliding. Essential reading for students of Central and Eastern Europe and of social movements.

Mary Kaldor, Professor Emeritus of Global Governance, LSE

A compelling and exhaustive presentation of the most recent research on contentious politics in Central and Eastern Europe. An excellent cast of authors examine protest politics in the region. An indispensable source for every comparativist interested in the role of protest in politics, particularly in democratisation and de-democratisation.

Jan Kubik, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Politics, Rutgers Univeristy

This comprehensive volume contributes to filling a wide gap in research. It analyses the role of protest movements in the power configurations of Central and Eastern Europe during the last three decades. Moreover, it sheds light on similarities and differences regarding challenges to democracy, socio-economic transformations, and conditions and effects of protest mobilisation..

Dieter Rucht, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, WZB

This book offers a detailed overview of the politics of contemporary social movements in Central and Eastern Europe. The analysis of 11 countries reveals the relevance of protest events, social movements, and civil society in shaping democratic transition and consolidation, electoral politics and institutions, socio-economic policies, and geopolitical orientation. This volume shows how power structures and government institutions respond to civic mobilisations and protests, using diverse tactics ranging from co-option to repression and how protests and mobilisations became consequential in the region's politics.

Claudiu Crciun is Lecturer in European Politics at the National University of Political Studies and Administration in Bucharest, Romania.

Henry Rammelt is Associate Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the National University of Political Studies and Administration in Bucharest, Romania.

Inhalt

.- Contention, democracy, and capitalism. A view from Central and Eastern Europe.

.- Albania - Duality of Democracy through Power and Protest.

.- Belarus Civil Resistance and State Repression in an Autocracy.

.- Bulgaria - Protest Movements Transforming the Party System.

.- Czech Republic - From apathy to mass mobilizations, 1989-2022.

.- Georgia - Backstage Decisions, Frontstage Agenda, and the Return of Political Activism.

.- Hungary - The Changing Roles of Civil Society and Social Movements Facing Autocratisation.

.- North Macedonia - Two Sides of the Same Coin Pleading for Democratisation from Below.

.- Poland Changing Patterns of Protest Mobilisation in a Polarised Society.

.- Romania - Democratic Change and Protest Movements.

.- Russia Dynamics of Protest Activity in Putin's Regime.

.- Ukraine - Power and Protest Interplay Amidst Geopolitics.

.- Resisting the democratic backlash: Social movements in Central and Eastern Europe.

.- Socio-Economic Development, Class, and Protest.

.- The Facets of Mobilisation. Why is Liberal Civil Society Losing Momentum in Central and Eastern Europe?.

.- Power, Protest, and Possibilities in Central and Eastern Europe.