{"product_id":"politics-without-a-past-the-absence-of-history-in-postcommunist-nationalism-9780822323990","title":"Politics without a Past: The Absence of History in Postcommunist Nationalism","description":"In \u003ci\u003ePolitics without a Past\u003c\/i\u003e Shari J. Cohen offers a powerful challenge to\u003cbr\u003ecommon characterizations of postcommunist politics as either a resurgence of\u003cbr\u003eaggressive nationalism or an evolution toward Western-style democracy. Cohen\u003cbr\u003edraws upon extensive field research to paint a picture of postcommunist\u003cbr\u003epolitical life in which ideological labels are meaningless and exchangeable\u003cbr\u003eat will, political parties appear and disappear regularly, and citizens\u003cbr\u003eremain unengaged in the political process.\u003cbr\u003eIn contrast to the conventional wisdom, which locates the roots of widespread intranational strife in deeply rooted national identities from the past, Cohen argues that a profound ideological vacuum has fueled destructive tension throughout postcommunist Europe and the former Soviet Union. She uses Slovakia as a case study to reveal that communist regimes bequeathed an insidious form of historical amnesia to the majority of the political elite and the societies they govern. Slovakia was particularly vulnerable to communist intervention since its precommunist national consciousness was so weak and its only period of statehood prior to 1993 was as a Nazi puppet-state. To demonstrate her argument, Cohen focuses on Slovakia's failure to forge a collective memory of the World War II experience. She shows how communist socialization prevented Slovaks from tying their individual family stories-of the Jewish deportations, of the anti-Nazi resistance, or of serving in the wartime government-to a larger historical narrative shared with others, leaving them bereft of historical or moral bearings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePolitics without a Past\u003c\/i\u003e develops an analytical framework that will be important for future research in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and beyond. Scholars in political science, history, East European and post-Soviet studies will find Cohen's methodology and conclusions enlightening. For policymakers, diplomats, and journalists who deal with the region, she offers valuable insights into the elusive nature of postcommunist societies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Shari J. Cohen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Duke University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/22\/1999\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 296\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.04lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.15h x 5.85w x 0.80d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780822323990\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShari J. Cohen, a political scientist, is currently Senior Research Fellow at the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership in New York City.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Duke University Press","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":40198557532275,"sku":"9.78E+12","price":27.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/products\/img_8e94c148-1197-4d12-a9ea-a5b4469f30e6.jpg?v=1656078690","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/en-de\/products\/politics-without-a-past-the-absence-of-history-in-postcommunist-nationalism-9780822323990","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}