© Jeff Hutchens for the Open Society Foundations

The collapse of the Soviet empire two decades ago was greeted as the ultimate triumph of liberal values. Since then, however, countries of the former Soviet bloc have compiled, at best, mixed records of protecting human rights and promoting tolerance. As an Open Society Fellow, Feffer will interview dozens of leading thinkers, activists, and writers in Eastern Europe–many of whom he spoke to while the transitions were underway—to gauge lessons that may applicable to other societies experiencing similar transformations. He expects to write a series of essays for policy makers, a book of narrative nonfiction, and a one-man theater piece dramatizing the stories he uncovers during his research.

Feffer is the co-director of Foreign Policy in Focus at the Institute of Policy Studies, and former associate editor of World Policy Journal.  He is also the author of several books, including the forthcoming Crusade 2.0: The West's Resurgent War against Islam (City Lights) and the novel Foamers (Scribner). His one-man performances include Krapp's Last Power Point, Edible Rex, and The Bird.