Current Issue

This thematic issue explores the processes of politicization and political socialization in Central and East-Central Europe from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries, a period of significant societal and political transformation. Focusing on non-elite and subaltern populations, the issue highlights the multifaceted ways individuals and groups engaged with emerging political structures and contemporary discourses. The contributions explore themes of interaction, reinterpretation, and adaptation, examining how political awareness and participation evolved under varying social, cultural, and institutional conditions. The studies investigate diverse settings, from the role of gymnastic associations in fostering national consciousness to the mobilization of women and workers through social networks and participation in organized activities. They further explore cultural tools of political engagement, such as political cabarets, and the contested narratives surrounding a factory town’s transition from capitalism to socialism. Together, these articles offer insights into the dynamic and context-specific nature of politicization in modernizing states, advancing our understanding of political socialization during this transformative period.