Toward a New Central Europe [antikvár]

ForewordTHE present volume is a collection of articles, essays, documents and statistical data selected from the first six issues (1963-1969) of Studies for a New Central Europe, a review devoted to the reorganiza-tional problems and tasks of that area. Besides these, two heretofore unpublished papers have been added to the collection. Namely, Alex-ander Gallus' "Cultural Pluralism and the Study of Complex Societies in Anthropology," and Edward Chaszar's "The Place of East Central Europe in Western Civilization."The main purpose of our periodical as well as of its issuing body, The Mid-European Research Institute, New York, N. Y., is to revaluate past and present affairs of Central Europe in order to find a proper solution to its problems: a lasting peace based on justice and equality with the full coopération of ail nations concerned. A growing number of experts grouped around the review and its sponsoring institution have worked incessantly toward achieving this objective. From the very outset their activities have been centered on that goal and without exception they have arrived at the conclusion that in order to avoid past and present errors a system of neutralization and federalization should be established in the Danubian area ranging from Germany to Russia. This common goal has been scrutinized from different viewpoints by authors of various ethnie groups. As a resuit, almost each and every article reflects as a récurrent feature the urgent need for founding a neutral, federated Central Europe.The scope of inquiry covers quite a broad field. Part I (International Relations) tries to elucidate foreign policy constellations by examining Central Europe's relations with the East and West with a view toward creating a Buffer Zone situated between Germany and Russia. Part II (Federalism in Central Europe) attempts to clarify some spécifié factors of a régional arrangement. Part III (The Na-tionality Question) highlights ethnie conditions with particular em-phasis on Czechoslovakia and Rumania. The concluding chapter, Part IV (Economie Problems), considers economie conditions and policies, and the Appendix includes many interesting maps as well as statistical data.I find myself ill-equipped to say how grateful I am to those who assisted and guided me in the development of this volume. I am happy