East and Central Europe has experienced dramatic changes since the collapse of communism. The all-new edition of this market-leading text brings together specially-commissioned chapters by leading authorities to provide a systematic assessment of the continuing evolution of politics and governance across a highly diverse region. As well as chapters on the major countries, there are cross-cutting assessments of constitutional issues, executive leadership, parties and elections and public policy, and a conclusion analysing patterns of democratisation in a broader comparative context.
'[A] welcome addition to the literature.... [This] collection of thoughtful and informative essays by specialists [is] suited to a general readership as well as to students and their instructors.... [T]he agile fine-tuning of its editors pulls all the material together into a highly-readable presentation that suits the need of students with little or no prior knowledge about the region...' - Minton F. Goldman, Slavic Review
PART I: ANATOMY OF A DIVERSE REGION
Defining Central and Eastern Europe; J.Batt
Poland; F.Millard
The Czech Republic and Slovakia; K.Williams
Hungary; M.Pittaway
The Balkans since 1989: The Winding Road from National Communism; T.Gallagher
Ukraine and Post-Soviet Europe; A.Wilson
PART II: THE FRAMEWORK OF POLITICS
Executive Leadership: Presidents and Governments; R.Taras
Structures of Representation; P.Kopecky
Political Parties; P.G.Lewis
Elections and Electoral Behaviour; K.Jasiewicz
Constitutional Engineering in Central and Eastern Europe; K.von Beyme
PART III: ISSUES OF PUBLIC POLICY
Managing the Transition Economies; G.Blazyca
A Changing Society; T.Cox
Central/Eastern Europe and EU Enlargement; H.Grabbe
PART IV: CENTRAL/EASTERN EUROPE IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE
Democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe: A Comparative Perspective; G.Pridham
STEPHEN WHITE is Professor of International Politics and Senior Research Associate of the Institute of Central and Eastern Europe, University of Glasgow.
JUDY BATT is Jean Monnet Chair in the European Integration of South East Europe, Centre for Russian and East European Studies/European Research Institute, University of Birmingham.
PAUL G. LEWIS is Reader in Central and East European Politics, The Open University.