From Solidarity to Geopolitics

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'In this original and thought-provoking study, Tsveta Petrova demonstrates how mobilized democratic transition from below in Eastern Europe fostered the emergence of a new generation of democracy promoters in the region. In doing so, she provides new insights into transnational diffusion processes and the linkages between the foreign and domestic dimensions of democracy promotion.' Mark R. Beissinger, Henry W. Putnam Professor of Politics, Princeton University, and Director, Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies 'A masterful study of a critical yet understudied new area of international democracy support. With notable clarity and rigor, Petrova advances innovative, persuasive ideas about the motivations, methods, and impact of the external democracy work by Eastern European countries. A field-defining work that will stand as a benchmark on the topic for years.' Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 'What Tsveta Petrova carefully documents will surprise many: new democracies often do more than old ones to spread democracy internationally. What is more, Petrova's meticulous use of hundreds of interviews in Eastern Europe shows that pro-democracy activists, linked to transnational networks, do much of the work - both in directly promoting liberalism and popular rule, and in pressing their governments to do the same - and that they do it in part to entrench democracy in their own countries.' John Owen, Henry Taylor Professor of Politics, University of Virginia 'The emergence of Third Wave democracies as providers of democracy assistance is increasingly visible, but still has not received the scholarly attention that it merits. Tsveta Petrova's thoughtful comparative study of postcommunist Eastern Europe helps to fill this gap. It not only illuminates how and why some postcommunist states have become enthusiastic supporters of democracy beyond their borders, but also yields a number of broader insights about the enterprise of democracy promotion.' Marc F. Plattner, Editor, Journal of Democracy 'Tsveta Petrova has written an elegant and impressively thorough account of the democracy promotion activities of Central and Eastern European states. The book provides sophisticated explanations for these countries' evolving foreign policies and is astute in revealing the idealistic, but also geostrategic, prompts to East European democracy support. Petrova's analysis is convincingly sympathetic to these member states' efforts to further democratic norms, while also recognizing their shortcomings. The book offers illuminating background that helps shed light on European reactions to the current uncertainty in Ukraine and other Eastern Partnership countries.' Richard Youngs, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Warwick University