NATIONALISM AND THE PROTECTION OF MINORITIES - GROUP-DYNAMIC CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING THE PROBLEMS OF THEIR INTEGRATION

After the collapse of the bipolar system with its two superpowers USA and USSR, the world community of states is now confronted - particular ly in Eastern Europe - with the growing tendency in many multi-ethnic states towards political and cultural autonomy, accompanied by secessi on and disintegration. A number of ethnic conflicts had been suppresse d by the former political system and led to mere adaptation without in ner involvement. From the standpoint of group dynamics the ongoing pro cesses can be interpreted as problems of groups without competent lead ers and without defined group boundaries. The author suggests a number of measures such as integration of these states into larger group con texts (European Union), protection of minorities supplemented by the U N, redefinition of values in new constitutions and strengthening of th e network of grass-root movements within the states and within non-gov ernmental international organisations in different fields.