The (dis)integration of the European Union, the loss of confidence in democratic institutions, the close interlinking of power and business in Russia and the Ukrainian Extreme Right—these are the focal themes of IWMpost 111. Work on this issue—indeed the work of the whole Institute—were overshadowed, however, by a sad and unexpected event, to which we devote an additional section. Krzysztof Michalski, founder and Rector of the IWM, passed away in Vienna on February 11, 2013, at the age of 64. He was buried in Warsaw on February 22. His work and memory were celebrated at an academic Commemoration Ceremony in Vienna on April 5. This edition brings together selected obituaries as well as some personal recollections by friends and companions. We would like to use this opportunity to express our gratitude for the numerous condolences and expressions of solidarity we received. Due to spatial restrictions, we can only publish a selection in this issue, but a full list of all condolences is available on our website.
In the wake of the death of its founding Rector, the IWM is now in the process of a generational change. The solid fabric of the institution, the long-standing experience of its Permanent Fellows and staff, the worldwide network of friends and partners will ensure a safe transition into the future—where the aims, values, and activities of the IWM will be of no less importance than in the past. During this phase of transition, the IWM will be led by its President, Dieter Simon, together with its Board of Directors and in cooperation with its Permanent Fellows and advisory bodies. The Board of Directors, consisting of Michael Sandel (Professor of Government, Harvard University; member of the IWM Academic Advisory Board) and Cornelia Klinger (Professor of Philosophy, Tübingen University; IWM Permanent Fellow), was formally appointed in May 2013.
Download the IWMpost 111 as a PDF
Contents
Conference: The Political Logics of Disintegration
Integration, Counter-Integration, Disintegration / by Timothy Snyder
The European Union and the Habsburg Monarchy / by Robert Cooper
The Specter of European Disintegration / by Karolina Wigura
Conference: Beyond Myth and Enlightenment
Report / by Ludger Hagedorn and Michael Staudigl
Lectures and Discussions
Supplement: In Memoriam Krzysztof Michalski
Das IWM nimmt Abschied von seinem Gründer und Rektor / von Dieter Simon
The Power of Vision and the Gift for Narration / by Cornelia Klinger
Condolences
A True Citizen of the World / by Ira Katznelson and Claus Offe
It’s too bad Krzysztof is not here / by Timothy Snyder
Ein Tänzer zwischen den Welten / von Alfred Gusenbauer
City Talks / Colloquia on Secularism
Books in Perspective / Junior Fellows
Fellows and Guests
Books
The Transparency Conspiracy / by Ivan Krastev
Books, Articles and Talks
From the Fellows
Russia, Inc.—The New Realities of the Russian State / by Vladislav Inozemtsev
The Ukrainian Extreme Right Seen from Inside and Out / by Anton Shekhovtsov
