Can Liberal Pluralism be Exported?: Western Political Theory and Ethnic Relations in Eastern Europe - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199240639 ISBN 13: 9780199240630

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2002

Synopsis

Many post-communist countries in Central/Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are being encouraged and indeed pressured by Western countries to improve their treatment of ethnic and national minorities, and to adopt Western models of minority rights. But what are these Western models, and will they work in Eastern Europe? In the first half of this volume, Will Kymlicka describes a model of 'liberal pluralism' which has gradually emerged in most Western democracies, and discusses what would be involved in adopting it in Eastern Europe. This is followed by 15 commentaries from people actively involved in minority rights issues in the region, as practitioners or academics, and by Kymlicka's reply. This volume will be of
interest to anyone concerned with ethnic conflict in Eastern Europe, and with the more general question of whether Western liberal values can or should be promoted in the rest of the world.

About this title

Review

An important and very interesting volume on a topic of great contemporary significance ... This is a very successful volume ... The book as a whole is an exciting venture in the field of applying normative ideas to an often refractory and complex social reality. (Nations and Nationalism)

It poses some surprisingly interesting questions about the relation between philosophy and actuality, or philosophy and power. (Radical Philosophy)

The best reflection and most comprehensive and authoritative summary of the debate on the universality of the western conception of ethnocultural justice. (The Global Review of Ethnopolitics)

The quality of the commentaries on Kymlicka's introductory chapter and his own concluding response ensure that the volume overall fulfils its purpose of critically examining the applicability of western political theory to the ethnopolitics of Central and Eastern Europe. The mix of contributors allows for a balanced debate of Kymlicka's views. (The Global Review of Ethnopolitics)

About the Author

Will Kymlicka is a Professor of Philosophy, Queen's University, Ontario. Magda Opalski is an Associate Professor, Institute of Soviet and East European Studies, Carlton University.

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199240639
• ISBN 13: 9780199240630
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 458
• Editor: Kymlicka Will, Opalski Magda