NATION-STATE, NATIONALISM, AND THE PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRATIZATION IN EAST-CENTRAL-EUROPE

Recent political developments in East Central Europe have resulted in contradictory and ambivalent tendencies towards the nation-state in po st-communist democracies. The liberation from Soviet influence and the dissolution of the Soviet Empire have created political space for the reconstruction of sovereignty in former Soviet-dominated states. This liberation and the institutionalization of new constitutional structu res has become a ''national'' issue. The reaffirmation and resurrectio n of national unity, national traditions, national culture, and nation al interest are current themes in post-communist politics.