The Ethnic Turnabout of the Early Middle Ages and Its Consequences for Central Eastern Europe

Abstract

The article focuses on the Early Middle Ages as the period which produced the »Western« manner of perception of different peoples. This was the time in which ethnic identities started to form the basis of government organization, and indeed the factor quoted by the then authorities in order to further their own aims. In Europe, the principle of ethnically-based government proved very successful, among other things because it allowed for gradual integration, as well as co-existence of different population groups. With a particular emphasis on East Europe, the article explores the complexity of ethnically defined and ethnically legitimated political communities and their authorities.