Modern Greece: A Civilization On The Periphery

250 Pages·2021·6.135 MB·English

by  Keith R Legg

MODERN GREECE
NATIONS OF THE MODERN WORLD: EUROPE
edited by Rand Smith and Robin Remington
This series examines the nations of Europe as they adjust to a changing world
order and move into the twenty-first century. Each volume is a detailed, analyti-
cal country case study or the political, economic, and social dynamics of a
European state facing the challenges of the post-Cold War era. These challenges
include changing values and rising expectations, the search for new political iden-
tities and avenues of participation, and growing opportunities for economic and
political cooperation in the new Europe. Emerging policy issues such as the envi-
ronment, immigration, refugees, and reordered national security priorities are
evolving in contexts still strongly influenced by history, geography, and culture.
The former Eastern Bloc nations must cope with the legacies of communism
as they attempt to make the transition to multiparty democracy and market
economies amid intensifying national, ethnic, religious, and class divisions. West
European nations confront the challenge of pursuing economic and political in-
tegration within the European Union while contending with problems of eco-
nomic insecurity, budgetary stress, and voter alienation.
How European nations respond to these challenges individually and collec-
tively will shape domestic and international politics in Europe for generations to
come. By considering such common themes as political institutions, public pol-
icy, political movements, political economy, and domestic-foreign policy linkages,
we believe the books in this series contribute to our understanding of the threads
that bind this vital and rapidly evolving region.

MODERN
GREECE
A Civilization
on Ptehrei phery
KEITRH.L EGG
AND
JOHNM .R OBERTS
First published 1997 by Westview Press
Published in 2021 by Routledge
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Legg, Keith R., 1935–
Modern Greece : a civilization on the periphery/ Keith Legg, John
Roberts.
p. cm.— (Nations of the modern world. Europe)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8133-1655-3
1. Greece—History—20th century. 2. Greece—Politics and
government—1974– 3. Greece—Economic conditions—1974–
4. European Union—Greece. I. Roberts, John. II. Title.
III. Series.
DF833.L44 1997
949.507—dc20 96-27247
CIP
ISBN 13: 978-0-3670-0492-7 (hbk)
ISBN 13: 978-0-3671-5479-0 (pbk)

DOI: 10.4324/9780429034787
Contents
List of Tables and Figures xiii
INTRODUCTION
1
1 THE PROBLEM OF
TOO MUCH HISTORY
9
Modern Greek Nationalism: Competing Visions, 10
The Dream of Byzantium, 12
The Western Vision, 12
Orthodox Christianity, 14
Language and Culture, 15
Creating a National Identity, 18
The Consequences of Success, 21
Contemporary Problems of Nationalism and National Unity, 22
The Modern and Traditional Tensions Continued, 24
2 MODERN GREEK HISTORY:
FROM ONE REVOLUTION
TO ANOTHER
25
The Struggle for Independence, 26
The Great Powers and the Establishment of the Bavarian Monarchy, 28
A New King, a New Constitution, 30
The "Revolution" of 1909 and the Ascent of Venizelos, 33
Internal Division and Political Instability, 34
The Anatolian Disaster and Its Consequences, 36
Political Instability and Economic Disaster, 37
Political Stalemate and the Metaxas Dictatorship, 38
vii
viii Contents
3 WORLD WAR II AND AFTER
40
The Occupation and Resistance, 40
Liberation and Confrontation, 42
The Civil War, 44
The New Political Context, 45
Political Stability and Economic Growth, 47
The Center Union: Victory and Defeat, 50
Military Dictatorship, 52
4 THE INTERNATIONAL FACTOR
55
The Tradition of Great Power Patronage, 56
Greece and the Great Powers in the Nineteenth Century, 57
The Great Powers and Greek Territorial Gains and Losses, 60
The United States as Patron, 61
Greek Foreign Policy Objectives, 62
The European Union as Patron, 64
Greek-Turkish Relations, 65
The Problem with Macedonia, 66
Relations with Albania, 68
Greek Foreign Policy and the Diaspora, 68
Greece and the International Economic System, 69
The International Role of Greece, 70
S SOCIETY AND POLITICS
72
The Patron-Client System, 73
Greek Self-Esteem: Philotimo, 74
Clientelism and Social Change, 77
Refugees, 82
The Labor Movement, 85
Greek Public Enterprise and the Capitalist System, 88
The Ecology Movement: A Case Study, 90
How Greeks View the State: A Vulture with Teats, 91
Contents ix
6 GREEK CULTURE: EDUCATION,
RELIGION, AND THE STATE
93
Education and Nationalism, 94
The Reinvention of History, 95
Education, Social Status, and the Economy, 96
Educational Reform Since World War II, 98
Current Constraints on Educational Reform, 99
The Orthodox Church and Greek Nationality, 101
The Orthodox Church and Independent Greece, 103
The Orthodox Church and the State Today, 105
Greeks of the Diaspora, 105
The "New" Diaspora, 106
Preserving Greek Culture, 107
7 THE CONSTITUTION
IN THEORY AND PRACTICE
111
The 1975 Constitution, 112
The State and Individual Rights, 113
The Presidency, 116
The Parliament, 119
The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the Government, 122
The Judiciary, 124
Regional Administration, 126
Parties in Law, 127
Electoral Laws and the Party System, 128
Constitutional Reality, 130
8 POLITICAL PARTIES
AND ELECTIONS
131
Changes in the Party System, 132
Changes in the Parties, 134
The Political "Families;' 137