Greek Democracy and the Junta - by Ioannis Tzortzis (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

During the dictatorship of the Colonels in Greece, there was an attempt at self-transformation into some form of civilian rule in 1973: the so-called 'Markezinis experiment', named after the politician who assumed the task of heading the transition government and lead to elections. It lasted a mere eight weeks, faced heavy opposition from both the opposition elites and the civil society and eventually collapsed by a military hard-liners' coup.

This book argues that the failure of the 'Markezinis experiment' paved the way for the actual transition of 1974 as it happened. Using British and American archival resources, as well as unique private archives and personal interviews, the book concludes by briefly seeking to trace some potential alternative paths for the failed self- transformation attempt, and by accounting for the long-term consequences of the failure of the 'Markezinis experiment'.

Review Quotes

The book throws light into a rather neglected incident of the dictatorship in Greece and raises a number of key questions. Based on extensive archival research, it enriches our understanding of Greek junta by delving into its mechanisms of power and offers a detailed and multi-layered analysis of the so-called 'Markezinis experiment' and of the reasons for its failure.
Professor Dimitris Tziovas, Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman & Modern Greek Studies, University of Birmingham, UK

This is a bold and comprehensive attempt to re-evaluate a forgotten episode in the era of the Colonels' dictatorship in Greece. The author presents a careful study, with a strong comparative dimension. The book significantly contributes in the ongoing debate on democratization studies.
Professor Evanthis Hatzivassiliou, University of Athens, Greece

About the Author

Ioannis Tzortzis is Teaching Fellow in Political Science at the University of Birmingham