Resistance, civil war, and centrism: the construction of a political alternative in Greece

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of political centrism in Greece from World War II to the democratic consolidation of the Third Hellenic Republic. It analyzes the deep fractures caused by the civil war (1946-1949) and the role of the resistance in shaping the post-war political landscape. The study argues that, although the divisions inherited from the civil war hindered the establishment of a fully democratic system, the legacy of the resistance allowed for the emergence of a centrist space that promoted moderation and political reformism. Through a historical and political analysis, the article explores the development of centrism in the 1950s and 1960s, its attempts at consolidation, and the factors that limited its stability, including the influence of the Cold War, the monarchy, and the military forces. Furthermore, it examines the democratic transition and the impact of the centrist legacy on the victory of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) in the 1980s. The conclusion suggests that, although centrism did not establish itself as a stable political force in the post-war period, its discourse of pacification and inclusion was crucial for the transformation of the Greek political system within the framework of modern democracy.