The new confusion
Eastern Europe in political education
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
One of the impulses that led to the setting up of the German political education system was the need to deal with the question of communism. Now that the system of socialist states and the Soviet Union have disintegrated, the basis of political education’s legitimation has become shaky. However, political education can now prove its worth by engaging with other tasks. Firstly, it must combat misunderstandings and prejudices about the societies of Eastern Europe. Secondly, political education about Eastern Europe will in future be an important part of education on general European politics. Finally, it must promote and assist the coming into being of a European public sphere and the formation of communication networks linking citizens interested in Europe.
(Osteuropa 8/2005, pp. 73–82)