Central and Southeast European Politics Since 1989

Cambridge University Press
Edition: 2, 9/30/2019
EAN 9781108718660, ISBN10: 1108718663

Paperback, 642 pages, 24.6 x 18.9 x 3.7 cm
Language: English

The collapse of the communist monopoly across Central and Southeastern Europe in 1989/1990 initiated a process of rapid political, economic, and cultural change. While Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia went on to suffer three and a half years of war, all the states of the region have confronted challenges as they dismantled communist institutions and drafted new laws, in some cases ignoring their own laws. Indeed, in certain countries, local politicians have done their best to corrupt the media and the economy, with recent years seeing some states move in an illiberal direction. Throughout the region, however, there has been a strong interest in enjoying the benefits of membership of the European Union and NATO. In this updated second edition, regional specialists comprehensively analyze the post-communist trajectories of the states of Central and Southeastern Europe, encompassing democratization, privatization, corruption, and war. It will appeal to students and scholars, whether they have a specific interest in the region, or are studying European politics more generally.

Part I. Introduction
1. The challenge of transformation since 1989
an introduction Sabrina P. Ramet and Christine M. Hassenstab
2. Post-socialist models of rule in Central and Southeastern Europe Sabrina P. Ramet and F. Peter Wagner
Part II. Issues
3. Media, journalism, and the third wave of democratization in former Communist countries Peter Gross
4. Economic reforms and the burdens of transition Karl Kaser
5. The war of Yugoslav succession Marko Attila Hoare
Part III. Central Europe
6. Poland since 1989
muddling through, wall to wall Konstanty Gebert
7. Building democratic values in the Czech Republic since 1989 Carol Skalnik Leff
8. Slovakia since 1989 Erika Harris and Karen Henderson
9. Two faces of Hungary
from democratization to democratic backsliding András Bozóki and Eszter Simon
Part IV. Yugoslav Successor States
10. Slovenia since 1989 Danica Fink-Hafner
11. Politics in Croatia since 1990 Sabrina P. Ramet and Ivo Goldstein
12. Serbia and Montenegro since 1989 Sabrina P. Ramet
13. Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1991 Florian Bieber
14. Macedonia/North Macedonia since 1989 Zachary T. Irwin
15. Kosova
from resisting expulsion to building on independence Frances Trix
Part V. Southeastern Europe
16. Romania
in the shadow of the past Lavinia Stan
17. Bulgaria since 1989 Maria Spirova and Radostina Sharenkova-Toshkova
18. Albania since 1989
the Hoxhaist Legacy Bernd J. Fischer
Part VI. Present and Future Challenges
19. Regional security and regional relations Rick Fawn
20. The European Union and democratization in Central and Southeastern Europe since 1989 Ulrich Sedelmeier
21. Conclusion – adapting to the twenty-first century
lessons, progress, and regression Aurel Braun.