Radicals in Central Europe. Real Danger or a Passing Fad
Radicals in Central Europe. Real Danger or a Passing Fad

Summary/Abstract: The object of this article is to discuss various forms of political radicalism in Central Europe after 1989. This issue is made important by this region's impact on the Old Continent in its modern history and particular intensification of this phenomenon in countries undergoing dramatic social changes, system transformation in this case. Focusing his attention on Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, the author classifies radical groups as "classic autocrats" and "evolutionary populists." Differences in ideology, programmes and organization between them as well as their immanent qualities indicate that the popularity of radicals is but a transient phenomenon and poses no threat to the bases of democracy. However, one can consider it a lasting feature of this system, which materializes in the form of changing, disintegrating and yet again reborn groups.

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