In this episode, we first touch on reasons why people believe that Eastern Europe is backward and why it’s ignored. We touch on the paradox of this by showcasing some important philosophical and literary contributions of this part of the world. We then discuss the legacy of this history in the post-socialist world and the reasons why the pro-democratic sentiment was lost in the 1990s. To contrast this democratic backsliding, we look at how Central and Eastern European countries led the way for Ukrainian support after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Lastly, we address what “the end of history” could actually look like in this part of the world. 

You can purchase Jacob Mikanowski’s book here: https://shorturl.at/nBCEN

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Prof. Kubatova is the author of The Jew in Czech and Slovak Imagination, 1938-89: Antisemitism, the Holocaust, and Zionism and Nepokrades!: Nalady a Postoje Slovenske Spolecnosti k Zidovske Otazce, 1938-1945. 

Her upcoming book’s previous title was Where the Foxes Say Goodnight: Christian Nationalism and the Making of the Holocaust in Slovakia. The present working title is Christian Nationalism Nation-building and the Making of the Holocaust in Slovakia. It is set to be published in 2025 by Oxford University Press. 

Small note: we do not touch on this change in the title until the end of the episode, so bear that in mind when listening. 

The overall theme of this episode is on Slovakia’s role in the Holocaust and how that history has been revised since 1945. I hope you enjoy.

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In this episode, we first address why academics and analysts use colonialism to depict Soviet Russia’s relationship with Soviet Ukraine. Then we talk about whether there is validity to looking at history or political science through nationalist perspectives. We further discuss some examples where there is a tendency to revise the history of the region. Lastly, we briefly touch on Alexei Navalny’s death. In particular, we contemplate if there is hope to have a Russian opposition to Putin that does not have to fall into similar Russian imperialist beliefs about its history. I hope you enjoy. 

For those who might be interested, here is some further reading: 

The mentioned book by Sheila Fitzpatrick: Everyday Stalinism: Ordinary Life in Extraordinary Times: Soviet Russia in the 1930s: https://shorturl.at/vGRV2 

And here is a book on the famine of 1930-33 (Ukrainians call the "Holodomor") in Kazakhstan that we briefly mentioned in the episode as well: The Hungry Steppe: Famine, Violence, and the Making of Soviet Kazakhstan: https://shorturl.at/wIQ15

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In this episode, we first address whether Putin has any Russian leaders he models his leadership after. Then we talk about the assumption that there is something fundamental in Russians and post-communist citizens that makes them more sympathetic to authoritarian leaders. Prof. Slaboch establishes the difference between Russian national identity and post-communist legacies. We then briefly look at why citizens look up to leaders and whether there is something unique in Russians looking up to leaders who were oppressive to their own people. Lastly, we talk about Putin’s emergence as an antidote to Boris Yeltsin in Russia. I hope you enjoy.

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In this episode, we talk about all things related to Czech and Slovak migration in the late 19th, 20th, and 21st century. First, we talk about Dr. Palovic’s own experience as a refugee from Czechoslovakia in the 1980s coming to Canada. Then we talk about the various waves of Slovak and Czech migration to the New World before the founding of the First Czechoslovak Republic and after during Nazi and Soviet tutelage. Lastly, we look at how migration changed in 2004 with the EU enlargement that would include Slovakia, the Czech R., Poland, Hungary, the Baltic countries, and others. Please enjoy.

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In 2023, our discussions have covered topics from political extremism in Slovakia, bad governance in Russia, independent journalism in Eastern Europe, POWs in Ukraine, to the political history of Ukraine and the Czech R., Holocaust revisionism in Eastern Europe, and so much more. ⁣⁣And we already have a number of guests lined up for 2024, including authors of excellent books on Eastern and Central European history, professors of the region, and various analysts.

For the holiday break, we thought we would reupload one of our favorite interviews from 2023. Thanks again for listening and I hope you enjoy Prof. Jelena Subotic's thoughts on Holocaust revisionism in Eastern Europe -- a topic that will never lose relevance and importance.

Happy holidays. Wishing you all only the best in the new year.

⁣⁣

Professor Jelena Subotic teaches in the Department of Political Science at Georgia State University. Her latest book and a book that we’ll broadly be discussing here, Yellow Star, Red Star: Holocaust Remembrance after Communism won a host of prizes; I couldn't recommend it enough. She is also the author of Hijacked Justice: Dealing with the Past in the Balkans.

We discuss Holocaust remembrance more generally and why it only started to be understood and studied in the 1960s. Then we address Holocaust revisionism and denialism in the context of Hungarian, Polish, and Ukrainian narratives. Although, we also briefly touch on the Slovakian, Lithuanian, and Yugoslav cases. In particular, we look at how the House of Terror Museum in Budapest, the Warsaw Uprising Museum in Warsaw, and other commemorating projects that misrepresent Eastern European collaboration with Nazis. We look at the Polish case of Jedwabne where 1,600 Jewish citizens were killed at the hands of their neighbors without command from the German occupiers. We then touch on Slovakia’s puppet fascist state and how Slovakians misinterpret this history. Finally, Prof. Subotic addresses if there are indeed cases where countries properly reckon with their fascist pasts.

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In this episode, we’re discussing a paper by Catherine, titled “Podcast Patriots: How Far-Right Women Podcasters Shaped the Narrative Around the January 6 Insurrection.” First, we talk about the role women played (or did not play) in the Insurrection itself. We talk about how women podcasters radicalized and also softened anti-democratic and undemocratic messaging in the days and weeks after the Insurrection online. We then address how they view feminism. Lastly, we look at the influence of similar podcasts in the region. 

Catherine is a good friend and I know you will all benefit from the many insightful things she has to say on this issue.

P.S. We briefly mention the book “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It,” by Richard V. Reeves (2022). Here’s a link to the book: https://shorturl.at/ptCL7   

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In this episode, we talk about what Robert Fico’s return to Slovakian politics might mean to the state of the freedom of the press in Slovakia. We also touch on Fico’s far-right partners, the potential of “revenge politics,” concerns about Fico’s immunity from the law as PM, among other things. I hope you enjoy this episode.

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In this episode, we discuss Keith’s paper and presentation recently given, titled “How To Break A State: How Populists Challenge Liberalism In Post-Communist Central Europe.” This is largely based on his dissertation thesis.

This is the second time Keith has been on the podcast, always a thrill to talk. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

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In this episode, we broadly talk about the influence of Russian disinformation on Ukraine and Ukrainians. First, we address Artur's background and cover some of his responsibilities as an intern in Ottawa. Then we talk about Artur's experience researching Russian disinformation in Poland and elsewhere. Finally, we address some of Russia's key objectives geopolitically, and in particular, in Ukraine.

I hope you enjoy.

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In this episode, we are talking about what many are calling the most important election in Europe at the moment: the Polish parliamentary election held on the 15th of October, 2023. First, we address what makes this election so important for Polish citizens and why the turnout has been the highest since 1989. We talk about how Law and Justice (PiS) undermined democratic institutions in Poland for the eight years they have been in power and what the reception of this has been in Poland. We then address the potential of political bickering among the new coalition (comprising of Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition, Third Way, and The Left). We also talk about the role of women in this election and why PiS reproductive rights laws were so discriminatory to women. Lastly, we address the developing integration of Ukrainian refugees into Polish society and how this also influenced the election.

I hope you enjoy this episode.

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In this episode, we talk about the results of the parliamentary election held in Slovakia on the 30th of September. With the largest turnout since 2002, with 68% of the population participating in the elections, the results illuminate on public opinion and sentiment in Slovakia. We talk about Robert Fico's pro-Russian Smer party, its possible coalition partners, and what this election means for the EU as well as support for Ukraine. 

P.S.: We mentioned the “pretovolim” (“I vote because”) campaign toward the end of the episode. If you would like to know more about youth involvement in Slovakian politics and civil society, here’s a link: https://pretovolim.sk/

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In this episode, we discuss all things Slovakia from nostalgia over Czechoslovakia to corruption in the government to the killing of the Slovakian journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiance, Martina Kusnirova. We talk about Eduard Heger’s interim government and the future of Heger in Slovakian politics. We also talk about Robert Fico’s potential conjoining of forces with more extremist and ultranationalist domestic political actors in order to mobilize enough support to return back as PM. Lastly, we discuss Slovakia’s assistance to Ukrainian refugees in the region and reflect on the role civil society will play in the future of Slovakia. 

P.S. During the conversation, we mention a movie about Jan Kuciak and his fiance, Martina Kusnirova. Its title is, “The Killing of a Journalist” (2022). Apologies for the audio in this one; we had some technical issues, so we had to settle with less-than-ideal circumstances.

Note: This episode was originally published in March 2023, but because of technological hurdles, I have had to re-upload some episodes. 

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In this episode, we talk about disinformation in the Czech presidential elections, held in January 2023, and the influence of Russian disinformation on the population and the region. We also address domestic disinformation channels, all of which are similarly exemplified by their anti-Western, anti-Ukrainian, and anti-NATO stance. I hope you hop along and benefit from Kika’s depth of knowledge on the issue.

Note: This episode was originally published in February 2023, but because of technological hurdles, I have had to re-upload some episodes. We also discuss somewhat outdated topics, such as the Czech presidential election held earlier in 2023; I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

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In this episode, we talk about the human tendency to view society as a trend toward betterment and whether the same can be said about political progress. Then we address the appeal of authoritarianism in post-communist countries and if populist nationalism and progress are connected. Finally, we look at civil society and point toward new elections in the region as signs toward future candidates who promote and embody democratic norms. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

Note: This episode was originally published in February 2023, but because of technological hurdles, I have had to re-upload some episodes. 

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In this episode, we primarily discuss his latest book, The Politics of Bad Governance in Contemporary Russia. We first distinguish bad governance from good governance and Prof. Gel’man explains why we (wrongly) tend to think of Russia as ungovernable. We look at why Putin continues his kleptocratic ambitions despite clear signs of declining power. We then draw parallels and differences between Yeltsin and Putin; Ukraine and Russia; and analyze if figures like Navalny might replace the decaying stage at the Kremlin. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Note: This episode was originally published in February 2023, but because of technological hurdles, I have had to re-upload some episodes. 

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In this episode, we talk about his mandate and responsibilities as the UN Youth Delegate, and his experience working with the youth in Slovakia. Then we talk about the work Michal has done for the Slovakian president Zuzana Caputova and her presence in central-eastern Europe among demagogues. We talk about her role and the ways she can influence the increased polarization in the country. Then we address the collapse of Slovakia’s PM Eduard Heger’s government in December 2022 and what an interim government might look like. We also compare the state of democracy in Slovakia vs. Hungary and Poland, address the unanimity vote in the EU, and why we should remain hopeful about the state of democracy in the region. I hope you enjoy.

Note: This episode was originally published in February 2023, but because of technological hurdles, I have had to re-upload some episodes. 

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In this episode, we discuss Holocaust remembrance more generally and why it only started to be understood and studied in the 1960s. Then we address Holocaust revisionism and denialism in the context of Hungarian, Polish, and Ukrainian narratives. Although, we also briefly touch on the Slovakian, Lithuanian, and Yugoslav cases. In particular, we look at how the House of Terror Museum in Budapest, the Warsaw Uprising Museum in Warsaw, and other commemorating projects that misrepresent Eastern European collaboration with Nazis. We look at the Polish case of Jedwabne where 1,600 Jewish citizens were killed at the hands of their neighbors without command from the German occupiers. We then touch on Slovakia’s puppet fascist state and how Slovakians misinterpret this history. Finally, Prof. Subotic addresses if there are indeed cases where countries properly reckon with their fascist pasts.

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In this episode, we discuss his paper, “Neoliberalism or Else: The Discursive Foundations of Neoliberal Populism in the Czech Republic.” First, we talk about ‘socialism with a human face’ and how many dissidents in 1989 actually wanted to restore socialism rather than bring about the turbulent neoliberalism of the 1990s. Then we talk about how the former Czech Prime Minister, Vaclav Klaus, became so attracted to neoliberal economics in the first place. We then address the relationship between neoliberalism, populism, and democracy. Lastly, we talk about the Prague Security Studies Institute Summer School where Keith and I originally met. This year held from July 9 - 15. Please have a look at the program if you are interested. There’s a lot to learn and fun to be had with PSSI.

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In this episode, we talk about Ukrainian national identity and some factors that have shaped and challenged it. We address the general attitudes Ukrainians have toward those from Donbas, the “Soviet myth of Donbas” and how Lenin and Khrushchev aimed to keep Ukrainian nationalism at bay in the 20th century. Then we talk about Crimean Tatars, Ukrainian and East Central European collaboration with Nazis during the Second World War, and finally, Oleksandr shares the mission of Svidomi. I firmly recommend you check out his work as well as the work of his colleagues at Svidomi. Please enjoy.

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In this episode, we first address how Russians are treating Ukrainian POWs (prisoners of war) and Ukrainian treatment of Russian POWs. We talk about torture chambers and the continued revealing of them in formerly Russian-occupied oblasts. Then we talk about whether moral responsibility for Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine lies with Putin and his close enablers or with the Russian people more broadly. Finally, we address what mobilizes Russians to participate in the conflict from Eastern Orthodoxy to historical portrayals of the “Great Patriotic War” and Ukrainian collaboration with Nazis. I hope you enjoy and benefit from this episode as much as I have! You can follow Anastasiia on Twitter and Instagram under the username: @nstvzvch.

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In this episode, we first address the thesis of Extreme Reactions and if xenophobia is somehow entrenched in the people rather than economic accommodations for ethnic minorities spurring racist sentiment. We then talk about how the fall of communism in 1989 and 1991 laid the foundations for ultranationalist slogans and sentiment in the 1990s. We talk about the differences between the Slovakian far-Right and the Ukrainian far-Right. We talk about the place men and masculinity has when it comes to the appeal of these parties. Lastly, we address the threat of Fico conjoining forces with extremist Right groups in Slovakia in order to win a majority coalition. A great episode and a crucially important topic. I hope you benefit from Prof. Buštíková’s scholarship as much as I have. I couldn’t recommend her book Extreme Reactions more! Please check it out. P.S. The podcast from Ezra Klein we talk about is titled “The Men - and Boys - Are Not Alright” with Richard Reeves.

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