The “Great Idea” and the vision of eastern federation : a propos of the views of I. Dragoumis and A. Souliotis-Nicolaidis

Abstract

The intention in this paper, is to present the views of Ion Dragoumis and
Athanasios Souliotis-Nicolaïdis about the Great idea (the Greek national
claims for a greater Greece) and the formation of a federative state comprising
the Balkan and Asia Minor peoples.
Against an historical background of the years 1908-1922, we try to follow
the development of the concepts underlying the political activity of Souliotis
and Dragoumis. We also endeavour to trace the influence they exerted on
Balkan politics in respect to Greece’s foreign policy, as well as their mutual
influence.
Souliotis’ and Dragoumis’ views correspond to a critical and unstable
period, which did not permit the luxury of elaborate and comprehensive studies.
Yet, they both were politicians, men of action rather than scholars. That is
the reason why they set out their views “inconsistently” and vaguely, and often
in sharp contrast with actual reality. The reader is asked to bear this in mind
throughout the reading of this paper.