Deluded Nations

Abstract

This chapter deals with the symptoms of nationalism which have resurfaced in Central and Eastern Europe. New, emerging challenges have to be properly understood during the transition from state socialism to democracy and a market economy. This contribution argues that a legacy lacking correspondence between the state and nation, with concomitant trends of authoritarianism, can hinder development. This applies especially to democratic institutions and citizenship based on universal standards of human rights. Present antiliberal and dogmatic national ideologies serve the interests of the previous ruling elite, who can exploit historical and symbolic conflicts among ethnic nationals. The conclusion of this chapter is that malignant international processes should be foreseen if they are to be sidetracked. The international community and democratic countries of Western Europe and North America must share leadership roles, otherwise global disorder, barbarism, primitiveness, xenophobia, nativism, and other uncivilized behaviors will become all too characteristic of civic life in Central and Eastern Europe during the 21st century.