"Sorosoids": Dehumanization and open society in contemporary Bulgaria. Issue 3 (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terziev, Lubomir
• Is Part Of: New Perspectives. Volume 30:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: sorosoids -- neoconservative -- open society -- dehumanization; 327
• DOI: 10.1177/2336825X221113232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2336-825X

Abstract

This text elucidates some of the uses and connotations of the word "sorosoid, " which has recently permeated the public discourse in Bulgaria, used to refer to individuals and organizations affiliated with Soros' Open Society Foundation. I am particularly interested in the inflection "-oid, " which seeks to echo the word "humanoid." In other words, my specific concern is with strategies of dehumanization of neoliberals in Bulgaria, whereby the fundamental values of open society in this country are challenged. The paper provides a glimpse of some key ideological attitudes in one of Europe's post-communist democracies.