Civil society in Eastern Europe - guarantor of democracy?
VHS@home on 14 July, from 7 to 8.30 pm
On Wednesday, 14 July, from 7 to 8.30 p.m., the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre is hosting an online lecture on the protests in some Central Eastern and Eastern European countries. For example, opponents of changes to abortion laws recently took to the streets in Poland, while protesters in Hungary opposed restrictions on media freedom at the end of last year.
Participation is free of charge. Interested parties can register until 4 pm on the day of the event at www.vhs-chemnitz.de or 0371 488-4343 and will receive an access link by email. (The lecture originally announced in spring 2021 will now be rescheduled)
Anti-democratic movements are active in many countries. The Slavicist and political scientist Piotr Kocyba takes up these current events and sheds light on their background. He also asks what role they play for civil society in neighbouring Central Eastern and Eastern European countries.
After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the dominant idea was that citizens active in civil society could not only bring down authoritarian regimes, but were also a prerequisite for a functioning democracy. Today, this picture no longer seems so clear-cut. In the former communist part of Europe, for example, protest movements are increasingly turning against democracy. In addition, illiberal regimes such as in Hungary are stabilising despite resistance on the streets. The lecture outlines the historical background, the changes in political systems and political as well as current developments.
Piotr Kocyba researches protest groups and social movements at Chemnitz University of Technology.
The event is a co-operation between the Institute for European Studies and History at Chemnitz University of Technology and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre.
Link to the event: