Borderlands – the Battle for Hearts and Minds in Eastern Europe
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Eastern Europe (also referred to as Central Europe), which stretches from the Baltic to the Black Sea has, for centuries, been a contested “border zone” between Western Europe and the Russian Empire. There has been a constant geopolitical battle for domain over this strategic swath of territory. Religion, culture, resources and security all play a role. This was the canvas on which both World War II and the Cold War were played out.
At the end of the Cold War the countries of Eastern Europe rushed to join the West. The Czechs, Poland, Hungary and others desperately wanted to distance themselves from the deprivations and lack of freedom of their years under Soviet domination. 25 years later it’s no longer so clear. Although several of these countries joined the EU, many of their people (and leaders) do not subscribe to its values. The immigration crisis made this clear. Russia has cleverly exploited the cultural gap between the West and these countries. They have supported authoritarian ultra-conservative governments and disrupted Western influence.
This is emerging a key battleground between liberal democracy and authoritarianism. The outcome could determine whether liberal democracy becomes the default political system or is limited to only a few core countries. In this course we'll explore what's at stake in the battle for influence in Eastern Europe, the strategies being employed, the likely outcomes and their implications.
Moderator: John Simke
Date and Time: April 5 to 26 (4 weeks) from 2-4 PM
Location: OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBD
Cost: $24
Maximum Class Size: 30
At the end of the Cold War the countries of Eastern Europe rushed to join the West. The Czechs, Poland, Hungary and others desperately wanted to distance themselves from the deprivations and lack of freedom of their years under Soviet domination. 25 years later it’s no longer so clear. Although several of these countries joined the EU, many of their people (and leaders) do not subscribe to its values. The immigration crisis made this clear. Russia has cleverly exploited the cultural gap between the West and these countries. They have supported authoritarian ultra-conservative governments and disrupted Western influence.
This is emerging a key battleground between liberal democracy and authoritarianism. The outcome could determine whether liberal democracy becomes the default political system or is limited to only a few core countries. In this course we'll explore what's at stake in the battle for influence in Eastern Europe, the strategies being employed, the likely outcomes and their implications.
Moderator: John Simke
Date and Time: April 5 to 26 (4 weeks) from 2-4 PM
Location: OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBD
Cost: $24
Maximum Class Size: 30