Ethnopolitics and the Transition to Democracy: The Collapse of the USSR and Latvia (Woodrow Wilson Center Press) - Hardcover

Karklins, Professor Rasma

9780943875606: Ethnopolitics and the Transition to Democracy: The Collapse of the USSR and Latvia (Woodrow Wilson Center Press)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0943875609 ISBN 13: 9780943875606

Publisher: Woodrow Wilson Center Press, 1994

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Review:

"This is an outstanding ethnographic case study that should stimulate broad interest among ethnosociologists, scholars of ethnicity and regime change, and students of social movements. It readily can be used as a text [for] advanced undergraduates and graduate students." -- Steve Breyman, Perspectives on Political Science

"The new Klarkins work adds new dimensions to democratization theory and the literature of ethnopolitics as a whole. Defining ethnicity as a potentially very positive force, and even as a catalyst, to building democracy; presenting regime-type, national and ethnic identities as interrelated in the democratization process; and establishing that coercion must be a part of any analysis of democratization in the NIS are but three of her most worthy contributions to the fields." -- Natalie Melnyczuk, Demokratizatsiya

Synopsis:

The politics of ethnicity are shaping the post-Cold War world. Rasma Karklins argues that ethnicity can be a constructive rather than a destructive force in the transition to democracy. In analyzing the collapse of the Soviet Union and the example of democracy building in Latvia, she demonstrates that applying democratic practices within a multi-ethnic society makes possible the creation of a constructive civic nationalism, respectful of the rights of ethnic groups. Drawing on a vast comparative and theoretical body of literature, the author constructs a new theoretical approach for utilizing ethnic pluralism to promote civil and political pluralism, and vice versa. As an example, she argues that the empowerment of ethnic and civil communities is evolving in Latvia (and can evolve elsewhere) in a complementary manner. This original perspective on ethnopolitics and transition from communism is essential reading.

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