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| Czech Republic Česká republika | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
 | |
| Capital and largest city | Prague |
| Official languages | Czech |
| Dominant mode of production | Capitalism |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic under a dictatorship of the bourgeoisie |
• President | Petr Pavel |
• Prime Minister | Petr Fiala |
| Area | |
• Total | 78,871 km² |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 10,516,707 |
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland. Until the 1989 counterrevolution Czechia was a part of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, a socialist republic which it shared with neighbouring Slovakia. However, modern Czechia is a staunch supporter of imperialism and is part of both the European Union and NATO.
History[edit | edit source]
Kingdom of Bohemia[edit | edit source]
See main article: Kingdom of Bohemia (1198–1918)
In 1526 the Czech feudal lords elected a Hapsburg to the throne, allowing Austria to gain influence over the state which in 1620 culminated in Bohemia becoming a hereditary possession of the Hasburgs. From then until independence in 1918 following Austria's defeat in the First World War, Bohemia was an integral part of the Hasburg lands. It remained a Kingdom inside Austria following the establishment of the Austrian Empire and when the Dual Monarchy was created in 1867 it became part of Cisleithania, the Austrian part of the Empire.[1]
Czechoslovakia[edit | edit source]
See main article: Czechoslovak Republic (1918–1938)
Socialist period[edit | edit source]
See main article: Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (1948–1990)
Post-counterrevolution[edit | edit source]
A 1989 survey in Czechoslovakia found that 47% wanted a state controlled economy, 43% wanted a mixed economy whilst only 3% favoured capitalism, but this did not prevent the introduction of capitalism in 1989. Following the fall of the communist government Václav Havel became president, and wasted no time in privatizing state assets, introducing free market reforms, and repressing the people. Between 1989 and 1995 in Czechia, nearly 80 percent of all enterprises were privatized whilst industrial production shrank by two-thirds. The Czech ruling class also swiftly became a willing participant in western imperialism; selling weapons to fascist regimes in Chile, Thailand and the Philippines whilst eagerly joining the United States' Gulf War.[2]
Politics[edit | edit source]
The far-right anti-immigration Freedom and Direct Democracy Party holds 22 of 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. It has connections to Marine Le Pen's National Rally in France.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ V. D. Koroliuk, G. E. Sanchuk, K. P. Gogina (1979). The Great Soviet Encyclopedia: 'Czechoslovakia'.
- ↑ Michael Parenti (1997). Blackshirts and Reds.
- ↑ Ellen Rivera, Marsha P. Davis (2019-07-22). "Dissecting Identity & Democracy: the EU’s new far-right super group" CovertAction Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2022-11-23.