Eastern Europe since 1945, 3rd ed.

Abstract:

This book is essentially about the rise and fall of the communist ideology in Eastern Europe and as such it may be the last edition; two earlier editions were published in 1993 and 1998.

The work is organised over nine chapters. Chapter one deals with the rise of communism through the years of the Second World War and immediately afterwards, addressing such areas as the Balkans. Chapter two explores the different roads to socialism of liberated eastern Europe with the ever present influence of Stalin. The diverse experiences of communism embraced by the eastern European countries and the rise of Soviet control are featured in chapter three. Chapter four moves on to the post-Stalin era and the renewal of communism through the Khrushchev rapprochement with Yugoslavia. The liberating ideology of communism was dead in all but name by 1958 and Eastern Europe was dominated by the Soviet Union. Chapter five deals with the bridge to the new form of communism which is taken up in the following chapters. Chapter six explores the economic reform that prompted the revision of communism through the 1960s. The progress of neo-stalinism through the 1970s is the focus of chapter seven. The collapse of the 'ancien regime' in Eastern Europe and the arrival of Mikhail Gorbachev is addressed in chapter eight. The nations comprising the former Soviet bloc followed differing routes towards self-determination; Central Europe moved towards functioning market economies whilst the Balkans clung to authoritarianism, emphasising nationalism - but all in time have been obliged to adapt to capitalism and these are the aspects discussed in the final chapter.

The work will interest scholars and students of economics, politics and international relations.