In this wide-ranging set of essays, Charles King examines the conceptual intersection of nationalist ideology, social violence, and the political transformation of Europe and Eurasia over the last two decades. Extreme Politics charts the end of "Eastern Europe" as a place and chronicles the ongoing revolution in the scholarly study of Russia, the Balkans, and the wider postcommunist world.

"King's treatment of the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the disintegration of the Soviet Union is thoughtful"--Foreign Affairs "A breathtaking and almost encyclopaedic review of the literature on nationalism, social violence, and the particularities of Eastern Europe in relation to those issues...In addition to the extensive literature review, the book provides solid foundations for the study of the role of institutions, political entrepreneurs and other micro-social categories in triggering violence...the book will appeal not only to academics, but also to practitioners, policy-makers and general readers interested in these topics."--INternational Affairs "Charles King's book is primarily aimed at an academic audience, for whom this is clearly a must read. But there are so many worthwhile insights that even the lay reader interested in what has been going on in this fascinating part of the world will gain much of benefit as well."--Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs "In this elegantly written collection of essays, Charles King offers a knowledgeable and intelligent excursion through the politics of nationalism, violence, post-communism, and the relationship between historical analysis and social scientific inquiry. King has given us not only a creative theoretical synthesis of the scholarship in these fields, but also fresh insight into the dynamics of politics and identities in a rapidly changing region of the world."--Mark Beissinger, Professor of Politics, Princeton University "With a steady hand, sharp style, and deep insight, Charles King revisits postcommunist Europe and Eurasia to explore when, why, and how nationalism turns violent. A superb demonstration and a welcome reminder of the benefits gained from a serious and deep engagement with context and history."--Stathis Kalyvas, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Program on Order, Conflict, and Violence, Yale University

Selling point: The essays collected in this volume represent nearly two decades of intensive research on ethnicity, nationalism, and violence in the post-Cold War world. Selling point: Written by a leading scholar of contemporary ethnic conflict Selling point: Synthesizes, in a creative, user-friendly manner, research on topics that are usually studied in isolation. Selling point: Coincides with twentieth anniversary of the end of Communist system in eastern Europe

Charles King is Professor of International Affairs and Government in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. A native of the Ozark hill country, he was educated at the University of Arkansas and Oxford University. He is the author of The Ghost of Freedom: A History of the Caucasus and The Black Sea: A History, both published by Oxford University Press, as well as articles in Foreign Affairs, The Times Literary Supplement, and other publications.

Selling point: The essays collected in this volume represent nearly two decades of intensive research on ethnicity, nationalism, and violence in the post-Cold War world. Selling point: Written by a leading scholar of contemporary ethnic conflict Selling point: Synthesizes, in a creative, user-friendly manner, research on topics that are usually studied in isolation. Selling point: Coincides with twentieth anniversary of the end of Communist system in eastern Europe