Reflections on the Revolution in Europe

Meer over het boek

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the end of Europe's division into East and West, leading to a transformed world that contrasts sharply with the preceding forty years. This new Europe raises numerous questions about its future direction and implications. Are we witnessing the end of an era without a clear replacement for the previous dismal way of life? What impact will a market economy have on the social fabric of Central European countries, potentially enriching a few while impoverishing many? How can the rule of law be established in this evolving landscape? In this insightful work, Ralf Dahrendorf, a prominent European scholar, explores these pressing issues. He interprets the developments in East Central Europe not as a triumph for either of the opposing social systems but as a preference for an open society over a closed one. Dahrendorf highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing economic growth with social justice while creating genuine democratic institutions. This humane, skeptical, and anti-utopian book serves as a manifesto for radical liberalism, emphasizing that the social entitlements of citizenship are as crucial for progress as opportunities for choice. It offers a thoughtful analysis of change and geopolitics, pointing toward a new political framework for the twenty-first century.