Seminar 6

Question 1

What values made one ‘European’ according to Kundera?

Answer 1

Iron curtain of democratic west and communist East
Central Europe spiritually West but politically East, more seen as East with the decline of European cultural identity

This reflects the complex identity of Central Europe during the Cold War era.

Question 2

What was the ‘tragedy’ of Central Europe?

Answer 2

The unseen and unrealised loss of culture

This highlights the cultural impacts of political divisions in Europe.

Question 3

Why did Fukuyama think that ‘History’ ended in 1989?

Answer 3

The triumph of the liberal ideology after fascism, Hitler, Stalinism, and the end of the Cold War in 1989

Fukuyama’s argument centers around the ideological shifts after significant historical events.

Question 4

What did Fukuyama mean by ‘History’?

Answer 4

The ideological evolution culminating in the triumph of liberal democracy

This concept implies a linear progression of political ideologies.

Question 5

What ideological conflicts did Fukuyama identify in the twentieth century?

Answer 5

• Absolutism
• Bolshevism
• Fascism
• Marxism
• Liberalism

These conflicts shaped the political landscape of the 20th century.

Question 6

What was Fukuyama’s view on the end of ideological conflict?

Answer 6

Liberal democracy achieved ideological victory, marking the ‘end’ of ideological conflict

This reflects a belief in the supremacy of liberal democratic values post-Cold War.

Question 7

What major events signaled the triumph of liberal democratic values according to Fukuyama?

Answer 7

• Fall of the Berlin Wall
• Collapse of the Soviet Union
• End of the Cold War

These events are pivotal in the narrative of political evolution.

Question 8

What did Fukuyama miss regarding the 21st century?

Answer 8

• The rise of new forms of authoritarianism
• Cultural and identity politics

These elements indicate ongoing ideological struggles not accounted for in Fukuyama’s analysis.

Question 9

What resurgence did Fukuyama not anticipate?

Answer 9

The resurgence of authoritarianism in the 21st century

Leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping exemplify this trend.

Question 10

What cultural aspects did Fukuyama overlook in his analysis?

Answer 10

• Identity politics
• Social movements for racial and gender equality
• Challenges related to immigration and multiculturalism

These issues represent significant ideological fault lines in contemporary society.

Question 11

What was Kundera’s opinion on nationalism?

Answer 11

God but nations should still be interlinked politically, but separate culturally

This suggests a nuanced view on the balance between national identity and political unity.