In his new series of studies, Thanasis Diamantopoulos interprets and analyzes the divisive fractures that have marked and permeated the political life of the country during the 11 decades from the movement in Goudi until today.

In 11 issues – each of which examines a decade – the modern political history is recorded from the perspective of major political and partisan divisions, exploring the social, ideological, and psychological substratum of the political confrontations that defined each decade of the country’s political life and national public life in general.

This first issue provides readers with the critical decade of the 1910s, which was marked by the catalytic and dominant presence of Eleftherios Venizelos, the uplifting push he gave to Greek society, and the socio-political polarization he caused, which subsequently evolved into the National Schism.

The Venizelist nationalism, aiming for a reinterpretation of the traditional Great Idea, sought to form strong economic alliances and interdependencies, in pursuit of new markets – if not spheres of influence, in whose economic exploitation our country would participate – and a mediatory role for Greece between the developed West and the resource-rich East.

In contrast, the anti-Venizelists primarily aimed at the symbolic rejuvenation of the traditional vital myths of the race, at its collective repressions, and at the redemptive resolution of the unresolved issues of Hellenism with History and its defeats.

In the eyes of the Venizelists, the Constantinists appeared – not as pro-Germans, but – as German servants. And, correspondingly, in the eyes of the Constantinists, the Venizelists appeared as pro-British and British instigated. The country, therefore, had been divided into two factions, each considered by its opponents as a faction of traitors.

The 1910s ended with Eleftherios Venizelos being the immaculate and untainted idol of one faction and the Luciferian expression of evil for the supporters of the other. An excellent read for those interested in understanding the roots and manifestations of the political divisions that have permeated Greek society, from the period before the outbreak of the National Schism to the present day.

Thanasis Diamantopoulos was born in Athens. He studied Law at the University of Athens, then Political Science and Public Law at the same school, and Philosophy-Pedagogy-Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy. Receiving successive scholarships, he pursued postgraduate studies and obtained a doctoral degree from the University of Sorbonne, while later conducting postdoctoral research in Oxford. He teaches at Panteion University and has taught at the Institute of Political Science in Lille. He is the author of 25 scientific and two literary works.