Social Democracy and State Foundation

The map of Europe changed with the end of the First World War. The large multi-ethnic states disintegrated. In northern, central and eastern Europe numerous new (nation) states came into being or recovered their statehood after a long period. A comprehensive democratic thrust set in. The social democratic parties were among the main driving forces of this Europe-wide development.

What was the role and significance of the social democratic parties in the emergence and formation process of the new democratic nation states after the First World War? Tobias Mörschel’s volume seeks to answer this question, ranging from Iceland to Georgia through Finland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, Austria and Belarus. What social democratic values and ideas found their way into these countries’ constitutional orders? How successful were social democrats in elections and in government? And what is the legacy of that period?