ABSTRACT
This book explores the idea of civil society and how it is being implemented in Eastern Europe. The implosion of the Russian empire fifteen years ago and the new wave of democratization opened a new field of inquiry. The wide-ranging debate on the transition became focused on a conceptual battle, the question of how to define "civil society". Because totalitarian systems shun self-organization, real existing civil society barely existed East of the Elbe, and the emergence of civil society took unusually complex and puzzling forms, which varied with national culture, and reflected the deep historical past of these societies.
This insightful text relates the concept of civil society and developments in Eastern Europe to wider sociological theories, and makes international comparisons where appropriate. It discusses particular aspects of civil society, and examines the difficulties of establishing civil society. It concludes by assessing the problems and prospects for civil society in Eastern Europe going forward.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|30 pages
Perspectives on civil society
part II|158 pages
The political sociology of civil society in transitional societies
chapter 11|18 pages
The climate of globalization
chapter 12|33 pages
Is there an organisational base for civil society in Central Eastern Europe?
part III|60 pages
The perils of transitology
chapter 14|22 pages
How to be a sociologist and a humanist?
chapter 15|12 pages
Hidden actors, overlooked dimensions and blind intellectuals
part IV|104 pages
Comparative perspectives
chapter 19|18 pages
Building post-communist states
part V|36 pages
Democracy East of the Elbe