Modern Greek Democracy : The End of a Long Journey?

Even though ancient Greece is the birthplace of democracy, the history of modern Greece has been characterized by political instability and misfortune. In Modern Greek Democracy, George S. Kaloudis documents the many forms of dictatorship and democracy that Greece has witnessed since its war for independence against the Ottomans. He begins his study with a discussion of the factors that have contributed to Greece's political instability since the early 19th century. After examining the military dictatorship of 1967-1974 that was a critical transitional period in modern Greek politics, Kaloudis considers international and domestic changes since 1974 that have contributed to the consolidation of democracy. Comprehensive in scope, this study will be of value to scholars of Greek history as well as those seeking to understand the current political struggles and independence movements in Eastern Europe.