by Anton Stalchenko
“People under suspicion are better moving than at rest, since at rest they may be sitting in the balance without knowing it, being weighed together with their sins.”
― Franz Kafka, The Trial
In 2005 in the post-authoritarian space of Central Eastern Europe (CEE), I remember adults in public offices carefully whispering and acting in a way that appeared extra cautious. Everyone made sure that children were not witnessing these secret bureaucratic operations. To be frank, these transactions were “BRIBES”! Every kid was well-aware of corruption and their parents’ place in that hierarchy. Talks about corrupt politicians and public officials were a part of normalcy and yet families made sure that their children never learn about their parents doing something of that sort. Why? The sense of shame before their descendants.
In 2022 these children, the post-Communist generation, constitute a majority of the electoral population in CEE.
In 2022 these children, the post-Communist generation, constitute a majority of the electoral population in CEE. Nevertheless, they must deal with the remnants of the past. It is quite frequent to hear from people from the post-communist states “I don’t care about politics” or “what is the point to vote if everything was decided for us”. On the other hand, this neglect towards political institutions could potentially lead to a neglect of the law, a greater distrust within society, and a general erosion of the rule of law. This raises a point that many people neglect: “why would we need to follow the laws and rules, if the leadership does not follow them”?
Piotr Zagorski in his article raises a point that the post-communist generation in Central Eastern Europe is quite understudied and elaborates that their electoral indifference explains the origin of current political crisis in CEE.
This passivity combined with their parents’ sense of the “good ol’ days” might be a combination that gives rise to today’s European counter-Revolution autocrats. Jan Zielonka & Jacques Rupnik in their article argue that the CEE elites are facing challenges of balancing between the democratic west and conversion into semi-autocracies.
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis Wojtas and Walecka argue that transitioning democracies of CEE have experienced setbacks in their democratic practices. Providing examples that in a state of crisis authoritarianism prevailed there. As a result of COVID, many states readily joined the framework of securitization measures to deal with crises, but it is quite difficult to define when the crises will end and when these states should de-securitize.
Only through awareness about our importance to and impact on the present can we avoid being judged by history.
Nevertheless, liberal transformation and democratization of transitioning economies of the CEE remain a distinguishable achievement of post-Cold War peacebuilding. Even though we are witnessing a backward movement in its democratization practices, the general tendency remains positive based on World Value Survey data. According to survey perceptions in CEE, citizens deem their states to be more democratic in 2017-2022 as opposed to the 2000s.
Remembering and recognizing the legacy of the past is no less important. Only through awareness about our importance to and impact on the present can we avoid being judged by history. After all, we are all under “suspicion” by history so let’s make the best out of it.
Anton Stalchenko, soon-to-graduate Master of Administrative Sciences in Security Governance at Tampere University, with Master Interdisciplinary Expertise in Russian and Eastern European Studies from Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki. In his Master thesis, he explores the changing relationship between geopolitics and geoeconomics as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Anton’s additional research interests cover: International Law, Nuclear Non-Proliferation, and electoral behavior in Central Eastern Europe.
This blog is a part of a blog series written by the BAMSE Tartu intensive course students. The blog series analyses the impact of crises on the politics of history, challenges of democracy, biopolitics and energy security. This blog is belongs to the politics of history part of the blog series. Read more about the blog series on Bamse News & Events website.