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The next lecture of Studia Generalia entitled "The Meandering Meanings of
Civil Society: An Idea from Eastern Europe Triggered Democratic
Revitalization in the West, But Has it Become Irrelevant Today?" will be
delivered by David Ost, professor of political science at Hobart and
William Smith Colleges (USA). The lecture takes place on Thursday,
September 23 at 16:00 in auditorium M-225 (TU Mare building, Uus-Sadama 5).
The lecture will be held in English.The lecture will discuss the revived
concept of “civil society” that was a gift provided by the eastern
European anti-communist opposition to democratic theory and practice. It
offered a way of thinking about politics based on political participation
rather than consumption, positive engagement rather than revolutionary
rejection. After communism, the idea entered the mainstream, and underwent
a transformation into a concept of the voluntary sector, to the applause of
some and the condemnation of others. Does the concept carry any clout
today? To find out more about the topic, read also an article by David
Ost- #David2fb5cc37ab5381a315f06221d591f8d0.doc# is professor of
Political Science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York;
and professor of Sociology at the Warsaw School of Social Sciences and
Humanities, in Poland. He is the author of many publications concerning
post-communist transformations, including Solidarity and the Politics of
Anti-Politics (1990), Workers  After Workers’ States (2001), and
European Politics in Transition (several editions). His most recent book,
The Defeat of Solidarity: Anger and Politics in Post-communist Europe
(2005), won the Ed Hewett Prize for the best book in the political economy
of post-socialism, and has come to figure prominently in Polish political
debates. Ost is a frequently invited contributor to the Polish press, and
his work is often cited in discussions of contemporary Polish and East
European developments. He has been published in journals such as Politics
and Society, the European Journal of Social Theory, Theory and Society,
East European Politics and Society, the European Journal of Industrial
Relations, The Nation, Dissent, Telos, and Tikkun. He is currently on the
editorial boards of Politics and Society and East European Politics and
Societies, and on the editorial advisory boards of Polish Sociological
Review, Studie Socjologiczne, and Studies of Transition States and
Societies. In 2005, Lech Walesa decorated Ost with a medal issued for
the 25th Anniversary of Solidarity.Studia Generalia is a series of public
lectures delivered by the teachers, researchers and visiting lecturers of
TU. Anyone who enters the University building can listen to what prominent
thinkers have to say on current topics that affect society, and also
participate in the discussion. The lectures are held once a month on
Thursdays. Students can obtain two credits after participating in the whole
series. Participation is free of charge. In order to watch past lectures,
please visit the Tallinn Virtual University.Tallinn University Studia
Generalia – a broader view of the world!More information:Kaie
LepikProject Manager, TU Studia GeneraliaPhone: 6410089E-mail:
studia@tlu.ee    www.tlu.ee/studiageneralia