Revolution with a Human Face: Politics, Culture, and Community in Czechoslovakia, 1989–1992

by James Krapfl

In this social and cultural history of Czechoslovakia's gentle revolution, James Krapfl shifts the focus away from elites to ordinary citizens who endeavored from the outbreak of revolution in 1989 to the demise of the Czechoslovak federation in 1992 to establish a new, democratic political culture. Unique in its balanced coverage of developments in both Czech and Slovak lands, including the Hungarian minority of southern Slovakia, this book looks beyond Prague and Bratislava to collective action in small towns, provincial factories, and collective farms.

Through his broad and deep analysis of workers' declarations, student bulletins, newspapers, film footage, and the proceedings of local administrative bodies, Krapfl contends that Czechoslovaks rejected Communism not because it was socialist, but because it was arbitrarily bureaucratic and inhumane. The restoration of a basic humanness in politics and in daily relations among citizens was the central goal of the revolution. In the strikes and demonstrations that began in the last weeks of 1989, Krapfl argues, citizens forged new symbols and a new symbolic system to reflect the humane, democratic, and nonviolent community they sought to create. Tracing the course of the revolution from early, idealistic euphoria through turns to radicalism and ultimately subversive reaction, Revolution with a Human Face finds in Czechoslovakia's experiences lessons of both inspiration and caution for people in other countries striving to democratize their governments.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction

292 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Iva]

Great inspiring work of James Krapfl!
Answering many questions and still asking all those remained queries. Very good organization of the chapters and the arguments. This book is leaving the reader with knowledge and simultaneously is keeping him curious and critical about the reality.

[Jakub Ferencik]

I must say that I tremendously enjoyed Krapfl's text -- not only because it is highly readable, but also because it focuses on an oft-overlooked actor in the Velvet Revolution: the citizen. The elites are not as important for Krapfl in this text; the protestors are the ones who make up the movement and showcase an exemplary case of civil disobedience that many can follow.

Krapfl also analyzes whether the term 'revolution' might even fit the happenings of 1989 (and before/after) across Czechoslovakia; he looks at the ideals of the Revolution, from principles of nonviolence to unity and humanness; and he confronts the claim that the Revolution did not bring about anything unique to European politics, comparing it aptly to 1848, 1918, and 1968.

This book is a massive achievement -- and I say that despite the fact that Krapfl is supervising my MA thesis. Pick it up if you wish to grow your understanding of the most important forces at play that helped topple the communist regime in Czechoslovakia.

[Evan]

Very dense and a tad boring, but very informative.