ABSTRACT
As we approach the end of the century, we are witnessing a vast process of redefinition of collective identities and the creation of new political frontiers. This is, of course, linked to the collapse of communism and the disappearance of the democracy/totalitarianism opposition which had, at least since the end of the Second World War, served as the principal political boundary, enabling us to differentiate friend from foe. This, however, presents us with a double difficulty.
In Eastern Europe the unity that was forged in the fight against communism has evaporated and we are now seeing the multiplication of identities based on ethnic, regional and religious antagonisms. These represent a formidable challenge in the construction of a pluralist democracy in these countries.
In the West the meaning of democracy was founded on the differences established between its own system of governance and those of the ‘other’ that rejected it. Thus, the identity of democracy has now been destabilized by the loss of its erstwhile enemy; it has to be redefined by the creation of a new political frontier.
