Between States and Nations: Contesting Sovereignty in the Era of Collapse, 1980s-1990s

Session Submission Type: Panel

Brief Description

The panel delves into the multifaceted dynamics of sovereignty, identity, and autonomy during the transformative late twentieth century in Eastern and Southern Europe. Through four distinct but interconnected investigations, it explores how various actors—states, ethnic groups, religious communities, and even sports teams—navigated the complex terrain of sovereignty and self-determination amidst the disintegration of established political and social structures.
Sierra Nota’s research on the Mezhyhirya retreat in Ukraine highlights the tension between Ukrainian sovereignty aspirations and the centralized control of the Soviet state. Blaze Joel’s examination of sports in the former Yugoslavia reveals how athletic competitions became battlegrounds for expressing and contesting national identities and sovereignty. Suzanne Freeman’s study on the KGB’s involvement in Poland’s Solidarity movement uncovers the nuanced roles of authoritarian intelligence agencies in foreign policy and internal security strategies. Finally, Anna Bisikalo’s analysis of Greek Catholic public activism in Poland and Ukraine showcases the religious and communal dimensions of liberation, as communities sought to reclaim their rights and spaces in the public sphere. This panel not only enriches our understanding of the era’s complexities but also contributes to broader discussions on the nature of sovereignty, nationhood, and liberation in the face of systemic collapse and change.

Sub Unit

• History: 1945-1990

Chair

• Alexandra Sukalo, The University of Texas - Austin

Papers

• Land of the Union or Land of Ukraine?: 'Liberating' State Property in Late Soviet Ukraine, 1980-1991 - Sierra Nota, Naval Postgraduate School

• 'Hatred, Blood, and Tears': Sport, Sovereignty, and Social Division in the Former Yugoslavia - Blaze Joel, U of Texas at Austin

• Policy Contestation: The KGB’s Role in the Soviet Response to the Solidarity Protests in Poland in 1980-1981 - Suzanne Freeman, MIT

• 'Out from Underground': Greek Catholic Public Activism in Poland and Ukraine, 1980-1991 - Anna Bisikalo, Harvard U

Discussant

• Erin Hutchinson, U of Colorado at Boulder