This summer the Ellison Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, the Center for West European Studies, and the Center for Global Studies partnered for an educator workshop. The one-day event was designed to consider current electoral trends in Europe and Russia. More than 20 middle school, high school, and community college educators from around Washington learned about current electoral, economic, and multicultural issues facing Europe and Russia and equipped themselves with the tools necessary to teach these complicated and controversial subjects in their classrooms.
Many of the day’s talks were recorded for podcasting after the workshop.
Populism and Radical-Right Groups in East Central Europe
James Felak, a Professor in the Department of History at the University of Washington, studies the intersection of religion, politics and nationalism in modern Europe, especially during the 20th century, with a focus on the countries of Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. He spoke about the rise of populism in the region and the development of several political groups such as the Law and Justice Party in Poland and the Fidesz and Jobbik parties of Hungary.