Homo Post-communistus: Portrait of a Character in Transition

Abstract

ABSTRACT Post-communist transition affected not only institution-building and policy, but also individuals' value systems, linguistic patterns and code of conduct. This fluid environment is inhabited by a hybrid socio-political character, one both grounded in the present and marked by the past, and who speaks a language in transition, mixing post-communist lingo with communist idioms. The post-communist Romanian political and public arenas show that liberal democracy and market economy have been appropriated in terms of form and utility (the first is observed rather than engaged, the second as a consumer), and less as responsibility (e.g., rule of law, the respect of contractual obligations, or civic duties).

Key words:

• Post-communism
• Romania
• transition
• homo post-communistus

Notes

¹ Over the years, the events of December 1989 were described as a palace coup, a ‘stolen revolution’, ‘a lie as big as a century’. For an overview, see for example Siani-Davies (2007).

² Synonym to lack of education, wooden language, and lack of grace, Ceausescu came to symbolize the profile of the products of the system.

³ For an overview of this debate that animated intellectual circles in the mid 1990s, see for example Andreescu (1996).

⁴ In 2011, in the north east of Bucharest, in the Chitila quarter, started the construction of a mall (Colloseum) to finish in 2013–2014, an investment of 350 million euros with 60 ha (and 480 commercial spaces) that will compete with Stratford City London for the largest mall in Europe. Currently, the largest mall AFI Palace Cotroceni Mega Mall (opened in 2005) has 76 m² and 250 rented spaced and has an ice ring, climbing wall, water features, 1-IMAX (3-D cinema), 30 restaurants.

⁵ For the practice of storing and recycling under communism see Drakulic (1993).

⁶ Local mayors switch party allegiance following parliamentary elections to position themselves closer to those able to secure them access to funds.

⁷ In 2010, to 49 public universities there were 34 accredited private universities and 30 private higher education institutions operating with a temporary accreditation. 400,000 students support the budget of the 34 private universities, which amount to 200 million euros (see Adelina Mihai in Ziarul Financiar, http://www.zf.ro/profesii/200-de-milioane-de-euro-pe-an-businessul-universitatilor-private-din-romania-8718700).

⁸ Created as a non-profit organization and accredited by Law 443/5 July 2002, the University Spiru Haret (named after a Romanian mathematician and astronomer, as well as three-terms minister of education, during which he implemented deep educational reforms that effectively built the modern Romanian educational system) was the brainchild of the Foundation România de Mâine/Tomorrow's Romania led by professor Aurelian Gh. Bondrea. The university became an academic as well as financial phenomenon. Between 2005 and 2009 the student body grew from 90,000 to 275,000 (accounting for approximately 30% of the whole Romanian student body). The student faculty ratio grew from 83/1 to 206/1 (comparatively the average Romanian public universities have a ratio of 25/1, while Harvard has 11/1 and Princeton 7/1). The university reported 105 million euros revenue between 2005 and 2009. See http://businessday.ro/09/2011/cum-faci-bani-in-sectorul-educational-exemplul-spiru-haret/.

⁹ After the Romanian Ministry of Education (decree no. 10) disbanded Spiru Haret's long distance teaching in 2009, the student body diminished slightly to 190,000.

¹⁰ For an overview of the development of private education in Eastern Europe see for example Slantcheva and Levy (2007).

¹¹ In 2011, a poll by Charities Aid Foundation found that only 5% of Romanians volunteered and ranked Romania 142 in the world on the world-giving index (WGI).

¹² On the debates surrounding the National Cathedral see Lavinia and Turcescu (2006).

¹³ On the link between religion and politics in post-communist Romania see Lavinia and Turcescu (2007).

¹⁴ For an analysis of the Romanian 89 revolution see Tănase (1996). See also Gabanyi (1991); Siani-Davies (2005).

¹⁵ For features of Romanian early post-communism see for example Tismăneanu (1993); Mungiu and Pippidi (1994). For an overview of Romanian post-communism, see also Gallagher (2005).

¹⁶ Pejorative references to the height of the prime-minister, the female minister of regional development (Elena Udrea; a close ally of president Basescu) and the president's sight disability.