The Politics of Central and Eastern Europe and Approaches to Power Centers

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

Abstract: The roundtable participants will focus on how Central and East European countries approach power centers both external and internal to the region. Power centers include but are not limited to Europe and European institutions, Russia, the United States and NATO security structure, and China. Roundtable participants, who are contributors to the forthcoming textbook, Central & East European Politics 6th edition, with expertise on a variety of highly relevant topics and countries, seek to problematize the idea of power centers. They will use different approaches to understand how Central and East European countries react to the ideas (including nationalism, imperialism, democracy, and populism), resources, and actions of these power centers. Beyond critically examining CEE countries’ reactions, the roundtable participants will engage in a holistic discussion of how Central and East European actors have used their approaches to power centers to influence domestic political institutions, party politics, policy agendas, and societies in the region. Roundtable participants will also discuss how the Central & East European Politics 6th edition frames these dynamics in ways that increase students’ understanding of regional developments, including ongoing efforts of CEE countries to liberate themselves from control by others.

Sub Unit

• Politics/Law

Chair

• Zsuzsa Csergo, Queen's U (Canada)

Roundtable Members

• Paula M. Pickering, College of William & Mary

• Jennie Schulze, Duquesne U