Anyone who thinks that the Communist regimes of Central Europe are exclusively the work of criminals is overlooking a basic truth: The criminal regimes were made not by criminals but by enthusiasts convinced they had discovered the only road to paradise. They defended that road so valiantly that they were forced to execute many people. Later it became clear that there was no paradise, that the enthusiasts were therefore murderers.
Milan Kundera's exploration of Communist regimes in Central Europe reveals that the foundations of these societies were not solely built by villains, but rather by fervent individuals who believed they had found a path to an ideal world. These enthusiasts were driven by their convictions, which led them to defend their ideology with extreme measures, including the execution of dissenters. Their actions were fueled by a profound belief in their vision, blurring the lines between passionate pursuit and moral transgression.
Ultimately, as time unfolded, it became apparent that this promised paradise was illusory. The realization that these individuals, once seen as champions of a great cause, were responsible for atrocities marked a significant shift in perception. Kundera highlights that these so-called idealists transformed into perpetrators of murder, illustrating the dark side of misguided zeal and the dangerous consequences of unchecked ideological fervor.
