The Communist Quest for National Legitimacy in Europe, 1918-1989

Nonfiction, History, European General, Modern, 20th Century, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book The Communist Quest for National Legitimacy in Europe, 1918-1989 by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781317986393
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 13, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781317986393
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 13, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

There are two popular myths concerning the relationship between communism and nationalism. The first is that nationalism and communism are wholly antagonistic and mutually exclusive. The second is the assertion that in communist Eastern Europe nationalism was oppressed before 1989, to emerge triumphant after the Berlin Wall came down. Reality was different. Certainly from 1945 onwards, communist parties presented themselves as heirs to national traditions and guardians of national interests. The communist states of Central and Eastern Europe constructed "socialist patriotism," a form of loyalty to their own state of workers and peasants. Up to 1989, communists in Eastern Europe sang the national anthem, and waved the national flag next to the red banner. The use of national images was not the exception, but the rule. From Cuba to Korea, all communist parties attempted to gain national legitimacy. This was not incidental or a deviation from Marxist orthodoxy, but ingrained in the theory and practice of the communist movement since its inception.

The study of communist national legitimacy is an exciting new field. This book presents examples of communist attempts to co-opt nationalism from both sides of the iron curtain and lays bare the striking similarities between such diverse cases as the socialist patriotism of the Bulgarian Communist Party and the national line of the Portuguese communists, between Romanian communist nation building and the national ideology of the Spanish Communist Party.

This book was published as a special issue of Nationalities Papers.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

There are two popular myths concerning the relationship between communism and nationalism. The first is that nationalism and communism are wholly antagonistic and mutually exclusive. The second is the assertion that in communist Eastern Europe nationalism was oppressed before 1989, to emerge triumphant after the Berlin Wall came down. Reality was different. Certainly from 1945 onwards, communist parties presented themselves as heirs to national traditions and guardians of national interests. The communist states of Central and Eastern Europe constructed "socialist patriotism," a form of loyalty to their own state of workers and peasants. Up to 1989, communists in Eastern Europe sang the national anthem, and waved the national flag next to the red banner. The use of national images was not the exception, but the rule. From Cuba to Korea, all communist parties attempted to gain national legitimacy. This was not incidental or a deviation from Marxist orthodoxy, but ingrained in the theory and practice of the communist movement since its inception.

The study of communist national legitimacy is an exciting new field. This book presents examples of communist attempts to co-opt nationalism from both sides of the iron curtain and lays bare the striking similarities between such diverse cases as the socialist patriotism of the Bulgarian Communist Party and the national line of the Portuguese communists, between Romanian communist nation building and the national ideology of the Spanish Communist Party.

This book was published as a special issue of Nationalities Papers.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Maritime Clusters and the Ocean Economy by
Cover of the book Men in Families by
Cover of the book The Politics of Cultural Development by
Cover of the book The Inspirationists, 1714-1932 Vol 2 by
Cover of the book Autism Works by
Cover of the book Modern Labour Economics by
Cover of the book Hardy of Wessex by
Cover of the book Sport and the Transformation of Modern Europe by
Cover of the book With The Empress Dowager Of Chin by
Cover of the book Commercial Law in East Asia by
Cover of the book Environmental Policy in the EU by
Cover of the book Scientific Imperialism by
Cover of the book Airport Finance and Investment in the Global Economy by
Cover of the book Archaeological Theory and the Politics of Cultural Heritage by
Cover of the book The Balkan Games and Balkan Politics in the Interwar Years 1929 – 1939 by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy