[venusss]

Just want to say, this is not a political thread per se, even if I throw in occasional political terminology... It is rather sociological. I am not talking about regimes... I am talking about people.....

Being born into the Eastern Bloc, just few years before the whole socialist non-paradise imploded (and yes, I consider Balkans my backyard), democratic transition of countries was something that always fascinated me... Not even so much from the political view point (although it is fascinating too), but more... looking at what does it to people. For the same reason I am fascinated in modern wars... not to see who scores... but to see where it leave society after it is over.

How long does such trauma last? Generation? Or is to passed onto next generations (looked at Palestinians, they seem to carry An-nakba narrative in the genes). Can a traumatized generation get over their trauma and can the society see some sort of recovery as whole?

I don't think HDI and GDP measures show that much. Sure, country can go up in economic terms, but what does that say about how happy or at least at peace the society is?

I have recently read article about Eastie women, how we are cynical and somehow materialistic (because now we finally can be materialistic) and how Eastie women will use their exotic Eastie beauty when they go live in the West, to be able to get treats of the West... yes, I certainly know such women. Slavic girls know they are valued, but they do not know their value is much higher than pretty clothes and colorful Euro bills.

But I guess the materialistic pursuits are more tangible and easier to grasp than concepts like freedom... that is why so many of us here on the eastern side of the curtain would sell their souls for it. (Few years ago, I have been to Ukraine and I talked to one woman about how I think west is decadent and it is not all that and how Ukraine should keep something of their spirit and not lose themselves... she said: "But I WANT my country to be decandent." I guess there is nothing much to say about that).

I wonder if there is any way to help transforming societies to deal with their trauma. I always had an NGO on my mind... organization with thinkers who would provide the people advice... not only in matters of politics and economy, but also when it comes to trauma... that often transcendents to national-wide level. But can it be done?
There is organization that helps countries with revolutions... by Belgrade revolution alumni... maybe alumni of successful transformations could do the same? But which society managed to transform without leaving behind their citizens uprooted and confused?

What do you think?

I know for myself that growing up where I did influenced me in who I am.

The Post-Communist Generation in the Former Eastern Bloc
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1467/post-communist-millennial-generation-more-positive-democracy-free-market

[buddhablessd]

There is no doubt, in my mind, that our and our ancestors, experience affect us.. Both on a personal ,and societal level. Me, a born and raised american, born in the 60's, could see how my gandparents, who grew up in depression yrs. america, were very conservative.

Their children(my parents) had more liberal tendendsies, yet still clung to there parents conserv. foundations.
That was also a comminity, and state/national,trend,no doubt, in the 60's-70's.
We, as humans, learn,adjust, adapt, and survive, The transient, and ultimately unsatisfying nature of the all things. B-Blessd