OM DENNE EPISODE
Valery Perry spoke with Aleksandra Zdeb, an assistant professor at the Taube Centre for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. Her focus on the structure of political and electoral systems provided an opportunity to talk about politics in Poland, the US, the Western Balkans and Europe more broadly.
They spoke about the approach known as consociationalism, which has been promoted as a method of power sharing/power allocation in diverse and often post-war societies such as Lebanon and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in Belgium and various countries in Africa. However while the concept in theory aims to ensure that “strong fences make strong neighbors,” in practice it can solidify tribal and often corrupt and ineffective governing regimes, weakening the quality of governance. While speaking about divisive politics, polarization and tribalism, they talked about other manifestations of groupness and what Valery called “chosen tribalism” in the US, and the impact of politics driven by identity rather than delivering on bread and butter issues.
Reflecting on the upcoming elections in Serbia and the citizen protests happening in that country for almost 2 years, the Flamingo Revolution in Albania, and the spread of protests in France, they spoke about how it seems that dissatisfaction with center, center-left and center-right parties over the past generation has not only brought people out to the streets but has strengthened political options further to the extremes. Frustration with government and the political economies in any society can either be used to identify new ways to build and implement a social contract, or can be exploited by elites seeking scapegoats to blame for the state of affairs.
Poland, as a NATO and EU member, is itself not immune from political divisions and tensions as illustrated by the recent special election for mayor of Krakow triggered by a recall movement, and the continued emergence of political dynamics a year ahead of general elections. The war in Ukraine will play a role in these dynamics both in terms of geopolitical proximity and Russia’s interest in destabilizing Europe, but also domestically as Poland’s increase in spending for its military and defense has led to less investment in social services, leading to scarcity that is creating frustration with support for Ukrainian refugees.
Aleksandra’s forthcoming book, Consociationalism and its Unintended Consequences in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia. Appetite for Destruction? will certainly provide food for thought on how power is dispersed and used, and whether the future lies in the Jungle or Paradise City, in these case studies and beyond.
