Cover Osteuropa 9/2005

In Osteuropa 9/2005

Power and Violence
1989, Ukraine, and the Idea of Revolution Free of Violence

Stefan Auer


Deutsche Fassung

Abstract

The Orange Revolution in Ukraine and the Rose Revolution in Georgia drew from Central Europe’s experience in 1989. In each case, these revolutions made a new start in politics that would have been unthinkable under the ancien regime. As a result, revolution gained a new definition, a definition characterized by self-limitations and a lack of violence. Hannah Arendt’s reflections on the relationship between power and violence provide valuable insight into the meaning of this definition of revolution and its political implications.

(Osteuropa 9/2005, pp. 3–20)