Violence and Democracy in Eastern Europe

In: Terrorism and political violence, Band 12, Heft 3-4, S. 237-260

Abstract

This discussion between violence & democracy in Eastern Europe excludes the regions of the former Soviet Union & Yugoslavia. In the interwar period, ethnic animosities were aggravated by the demands of treaties imposing the protection of minority rights. After WWII, however, tensions were eased by the reduction of the minority element in states throughout Eastern Europe. In addition, the horrors of WWII & the violence of the Communist seizure of power caused a massive & radical transformation of popular attitude toward both violence & democacy (at least in some East European countries), thus assuring that the majority of postcommunist transitions were conducted in a relatively peaceful manner. 2 Tables. Adapted from the source document.