After the collapse of communism there was a widespread fear that nationalism would pose a serious threat to the development of liberal democracy in the countries of central Europe. This book examines the role of nationalism in post-communist development in central Europe, focusing in particular on Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It argues that a certain type of nationalism, that is liberal nationalism, has positively influenced the process of postcommunist transition towards the emerging liberal democratic order.

Stefan Auer is a lecturer in European politics and societies at the Dublin European Institute, University College Dublin. Prior to this, he studied at the University of Melbourne, and at Universities in Slovakia and Germany. His research interests include the challenges of postcommunist transition and aspects of political theory.

1. Nationalism in Central Europe2. Reflections on Minority Rights in Central Europe3. Nationalism in Poland4. Nationalism in the Czech Republic5. Nationalism in Slovakia6. Conclusions