Nationalism and Marxism in Eastern Europe

Author: Zuzowski, Robert

Source: Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies, Volume 33, Number 1, April 2006 , pp. 71-80(10)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This paper analyses the impact of nationalism on communism in Eastern Europe. It argues that the communist idea, by itself, is too narrow, weak and ambiguous to succeed in real life. Left to itself, communism cannot generate a vigorous, effective political system. But, coupled with the simple, encompassing idea of nationalism, comprehensible and convincing to everybody, communism can become an efficacious political force for a while. On the other hand, when nationalism clashes with communism, political tension results that weakens and/or destroys the latter ideology. In fact, communism has to deny its own nature in order to become an efficacious political movement. It resembles a bottle with a false label: the contents differ from that which the label proclaims. The impact of nationalism upon communism has been twofold, depending on circumstances. It can bolster communism among independent nationals, as in Soviet Russia and—for over a generation—in part of Eastern Europe. Or, nationalism can weaken communism in dependent countries, as among the non-independent nationalities of the Soviet Union and—once Soviet military protection was withdrawn—in the eastern bloc states. Nationalism clearly has the capability to either stabilise or destabilise communist polities.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02589340600618107

Affiliations: 1: Contemporary Europe Research Centre, University of Melbourne.

Publication date: 2006-04-01

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