How post-imperial democracies die: A comparison of Weimar Germany and post-Soviet Russia. Issue 2 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kailitz, Steffen; Umland, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Communist and post-communist studies. Volume 52:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 115
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Authoritarianism -- Weimar Germany -- Electoral authoritarianism -- Putin -- Democratic breakdown; Communism -- Periodicals; Post-communism -- Periodicals; Communisme -- Périodiques; Postcommunisme -- Périodiques; Communism; Post-communism; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 320.53205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.postcomstud.2019.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-067X

Abstract

Abstract: While socioeconomic crisis – like in Germany after World War I and in Russia after the Cold War – is a necessary precondition for democratic erosion resulting in a breakdown of democracy, it is not a sufficient condition. We identify, in the cases of Weimar Germany and post-Soviet Russia, a post-imperial syndrome that includes nationalist irredentism and an ambition to return to the status quo ante of a "great power" as a main reason why democratization faces specific and enormous challenges for former "great powers." A slide back to authoritarianism in post-imperial democracies takes a high toll. It is facilitated by international political conflicts, including annexation and wars, with new neighbouring states that harbor territories perceived as external national homelands like the Sudetenland or Crimea.