Postsocialism: Politics and Emotions in Central and Eastern Europe

by Maruška Svašek Svašek (Editor)

In many parts of post-socialist Europe the tumultuous political and economic developments have generated strong emotions, ranging from hope and euphoria to disappointment, envy, disillusionment, sorrow, loneliness, and hatred. Yet these aspects have been largely neglected in analyses of the profound transformations that have taken place in Central and Eastern Europe since 1990. Based on a wide variety of ethnographic case studies focusing on Russian, Siberian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech, and Polish communities, this volume proves the significance of emotions to post-socialist political processes as an inherent part of the transformations and sheds new light on the impact of local, national, and transnational political forces that have given rise to the resurgence of nationalist sentiments, increasing poverty and marginalization, conflicts arising from the restitution of state property, constitutional changes, and economic deprivation.

Genres: Anthropology

244 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2006

Reviews

[Dafna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This edited volume is an interesting selection of case studies that explore the intersections of politics and emotions in CEE. Theoretically, though, it is a bit disappointing.