Activism in Hard Times in Central and Eastern Europe: People Power (Innovations in International Affairs)

Activism in Hard Times in Central and Eastern Europe elevates the voices of civic activists from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and analyzes a wealth of information to generate new insights into how activism in the region manages to be vibrant, diverse, and consequential.Because of these countries’ unique historical trajectory, CEE activists have, in important ways, leap-frogged their counterparts in the West. Giving special attention to activists in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, the book focuses on responses to the recent “hard times” – the shrinking of public space for civil society, democratic backsliding, polarization, and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The contributors contend that CEE activists provide important lessons for others confronting similar challenges around the world.The book is well-suited for a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, such as comparative politics, human rights, global governance, social movements, Central and East European politics, and contemporary world politics. This timely and readable book, co-created by academics and activists and written in a conversational tone, will also be of interest to the interested public and practitioners. The book encourages readers to think differently about the role of civil society and activism, as well as about how new tools and polarizing dynamics affect activism in this region. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Acknowledgments Notes on Contributors 1 Introduction to Civil Society 2.0 Key Terms Strong, Unique, and Bellwether How Thinking Has Evolved From Communism to Democracy to Crises Our Cases Types of Evidence How Our Book Is Different The Plan Notes References 2 Polarization as Driver and Barrier to Civic Activism Veronika Móra – Creating a Parallel Society in Hungary Democratic Backsliding and Polarization Eugeniusz Gosiewski – Overcoming Polarization in Poland The Faces of Polarization Challenges and the Future Notes References 3 Democratic Innovations as a Response to Shrinking Public Space Marcin Gerwin – How to Heal Poland’s Democracy? Democratic Innovations and Deliberative Democracy Csaba Madarász – Giving Voice Back to the People Evidence of Democratic Innovations Challenges and the Future Notes References 4 Conflict and Collaboration in Generational Divides Marta Mazurek – From Academic to Activist to City Council Woman in Poland Generations and Generational Divides Iryna Svets – Different Threats, Common Impulses in Ukraine Generations Bridging Divides Challenges and the Future Notes References 5 The Lure of Digital Activism Alena Popova – Fighting for Women, Their Rights, and Their Lives in Russia The Evolution and Goals of Digital Activism Explaining the Growth of Digital Activism in CEE Darko Brkan – Holding Government Accountable in Bosnia and Herzegovina Challenges and the Future Notes References 6 Everyday Environmentalism Samir Lemeš – Fighting for Clean Air in Bosnia and Herzegovina How Everyday Environmentalism Connects Local and Global Concerns Sasha Ivanova – Building Sustainable Rural Communities in Ukraine What Facilitates Everyday Environmentalism? Challenges and the Future Notes References 7 Crises: COVID-19 and Russia’s War On Ukraine Nataliia Muzyka – Supporting Defenders of Ukraine and Their Families Non-hierarchical Activist Networks The Effects of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine On Activism Ella Rossman – Protesting Russia’s War On Ukraine Dictatorship in Russia, Democracy in Ukraine: Different Contexts for Civic Activism The Impact of Russia’s War On Collaboration Between Feminist Activists in Russia and Ukraine The COVID Crisis and Activism Against Domestic Violence Russia Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Challenges and the Future Notes References 8 From the Margins to Central Stage: Insights and Lessons Responding Creatively to Challenges How Civic Activism Matters What Affects Civic Activism’s Impact? Activists’ Suggestions for the Future Notes References Glossary Index Activism in Hard Times in Central and Eastern Europe elevates the voices of civic activists from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and analyzes a wealth of information to generate new insights into how activism in the region manages to be vibrant, diverse, and consequential. Because of these countries’ unique historical trajectory, CEE activists have, in important ways, leap-frogged their counterparts in the West. Giving special attention to activists in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, the book focuses on responses to the recent “hard times” – the shrinking of public space for civil society, democratic backsliding, polarization, and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The contributors contend that CEE activists provide important lessons for others confronting similar challenges around the world. The book is well-suited for a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, such as comparative politics, human rights, global governance, social movements, Central and East European politics, and contemporary world politics. This timely and readable book, co-created by academics and activists and written in a conversational tone, will also be of interest to the interested public and practitioners. The book encourages readers to think differently about the role of civil society and activism, as well as about how new tools and polarizing dynamics affect activism in this region.