War as a Crossroads
Faulty Empires, Faulty Nation-States
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Empire and nation-state are two models of political order. Different concepts of belonging and legitimation form their basis. The Habsburg Empire and Romanov Dynasty entered the First World War as multi-ethnic empires. But in light of their structural deficits, they were not in a position master the military and socio-economic challenges that accompanied the war. The national movements gained in strength. While the multi-ethnic empires crumbled, new nation-states were founded on their rubble. But they too were marked by defects from the start.
(Osteuropa 2-4/2014, pp. 233–246)