Political Liberalism, Group Rights and the Politics of Fear and Trust

Abstract

This article discusses some of the peculiarities of the "fourth" wave of new democracies, those having emerged in Central East Europe. It also focuses on the "fourth" family of democratic rights which are being demanded, not just in this, but many other democratic regions; the demand for "group" rights, in addition to civil, democratic, and social rights. The argument explores some of the promises and limitations of "federalist" solutions to the problem of political community.