Susann Worschech - Böcker

This book provides a unique look into the civil spaces of post-transformation societies in Central and Eastern Europe. It investigates the dynamics of civil spheres in a region characterized by overcoming dictatorship and experiencing transitions and tremendous social change. Empirically, the book provides ten case studies that analyze the often ambivalent processes of polarization and democratic backsliding, memory culture and the role of emotions, as well as new forms of democratic resilience that have emerged in the region. The book utilizes civil sphere theory and introduces the concept of post-transformation as the central parameter of complex social and political developments in Central and Eastern Europe. In combining these theories, the book illuminates the tensions between institutionalization and informality, trust, mistrust, and the evolution of a “we-ness” and abstract solidarity, and thereby, explores how democratic “software” is programmed against the backdrop of different socialist and post-socialist legacies.

The numerous and far-reaching socio-political transformations that have taken place on the European continent since the mid-20th century have stipulated the emergence of new approaches and research fields in the social sciences. One of these is the development of a Sociology of Europeanization. This textbook provides an overview of its major topics, concepts, and research approaches. Each of the 14 chapters of this textbook introduces one particular topic of the Sociology of Europeanization – ranging from major conceptual considerations to an exploration of the numerous spatial, cultural, economic, political, judicial, and socio-structural implications of Europeanization. Hence, this book is very suitable as a fundamental introductory reading and for teaching in European studies and related study programs. It is also recommended to everyone who is interested in more recent European history and current sociological studies of transnationalization. Events around the bookLink to a De Gruyter Online Event in which renowned scholars and experts discuss what is necessary for the teaching of European Studies today and what future directions European Studies should take in light of current challenges and crises. The event was moderated by Sebastian Büttner and Susann Worschech, two co-editors of this textbook:https://youtu.be/Deh13FJ1ctE During the annual colloqium of the European General Studies Programme of the College of Europe (Bruges), Sebastian Büttner discussed and presented his co-edited book:https://youtu.be/GLheIHQOEv4

Susann Worschech zeigt in diesem Buch, wie die externe Demokratieförderung die Herausbildung der Zivilgesellschaft in der Ukraine vor dem Euromaidan 2013 beeinflusst hat.