LOOKING BACK - THE YEAR 1989 AS A CULTURAL AND CIVILIZATIONAL BREAK

The transformations in East-Central Europe after 1989 proceed at two d istinct levels: institutional and cultural, The complete transition to democratic polity and market economy can be effected only if appropri ate cultural ''habits of the heart'' emerge and become fully establish ed. The period of real-socialism has left a vicious legacy of ''civili zational incompetence'', due to the impact of ''bloc culture'', But th e traditions of indigenous, national cultures as well as globalized We stern culture may serve as an antidote, slowly eradicating the vestige s of communism. The major role in this process is performed by the you ng generation, who was able to escape the indoctrination and habituati on by the communist system. Elsevier Science Ltd. Copyright (C) 1996 T he Regents of the University of California