The Aftermath of Socialism in Eastern Europe

The democratization, economic liberalization, and eventual collapse of the Soviet Union is commonly attributed to Mikhail Gorbachev's Perestroika and Glasnost reforms during the period of 1985-1991. This purpose of these reforms is still a trenchant question as the countries of the old Soviet Union, particular Russia, are being pressured to further liberalize their economies.

Both the Bolsheviks and the Nazis shared a fundamental commitment to create a creating a higher human type. However, the ideals and approaches of both regimes towards this mission differed substantially. While the Nazis sought to create a master race above all in European hierarchy, the Bolsheviks sought a system of liberation of their entire race and complete equality. Within both ideologies, the role of women was a hotbed of debate and instigated a period of change. In Germany, women confined to roles that were ‘natural’ or intended by nature, while in Russia, although women ‘received’ previously inaccessible rights and freedoms, it became more of a burden rather than a boon, The creation of “new men and women,” became more about the removal of undesirable classes or nationalities and the integration of the rest of the population with particular characteristics. Women were expected to accept state-propagated guidelines for conduct and appearance, and conform to certain gender roles that were defined by the state. In Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union ideology, the rebirth of the nation, its prosperity and survival depended directly on women’s conformity to the propagated feminine ideal and thus, their participation was severely influenced by the regime’s economic, social and political policies. In this essay, I

This paper will examines the Baltic States transitions from Soviet occupation to a more democratic systems and the factors that helped them become successful. Such as, their history, previous independence from soviet, and recognition from major powers.

On the other hand we had the USSR and their approach towards rebuilding Eastern Europe. “Modernization of production in the Soviet bloc opened new technical and bureaucratic careers, but economic development in satellite states remained slow because the USSR bought goods from these satellite states at bargain prices and sold to them exorbitant ones. Despite this inequity, peoples livelihoods

By the early 1990s, Soviet domination in Eastern Europe had ended. A number of individuals played a part in the collapse of the Soviet Union. Understanding the role that each played is an important part of understanding the process that changed European politics and geography.

relations with the West in the form of the Marshall plan nor the lack of

When most people think of eastern Europe during the communist regime, they do not think of a professor from a small Illinois university.

The 20th century in Europe was filled with war and revolution along with political and economical change. The destruction caused by World War II remained prominent in eastern European countries even years after the war ended in 1945. For years the Soviet Union fought for communism while NATO did everything they could to prevent it. Although communism slowly released its grip on the eastern European countries in the late 20th century, western countries still looked down upon these ex-communistic states. After reading the memoir “Café Europa: Life After Communism.” by Slavenka Drakulic, one can infer that not only were the people of Eastern Europe a bit eager to assimilate and conform to Western culture but also there was a sense of dominance

Many political beliefs exist. Everyone has the right to chose what to believe in, what ideas to have, what to seek and how to achieve his goals. Political science is not very defined and strict. Specific rules saying that if one believes in a certain idea he should join a certain party do not exist. Certain things match certain group of people and other things this group of people would not accept. The same principle can be applied for countries. Communism appears to be successful for China, but it failed for Eastern European countries. It is very important the proper way of government to be found and used by the government of a country. The failure of the government can lead to failure in

Comparisons between countries and regions before and after the advent of capitalism in Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Europe as well as a comparison of Cuba and the ex-communist countries provide us with an adequate basis to draw some definitive conclusions. Fifteen years of "transition to capitalism" is more than adequate time to judge the performance and impact of capitalist politicians, privatizations, free market policies and other restoration measures on the economy, society and general welfare of the population.

Under Mikhail Gorbachev the Soviet Union underwent massive social, political and economic reform that drifted away from communist ideology and this ultimately lead to the collapse of the Soviet Union and failure of communism in Eastern Europe. This essay will focus on how the Perestroika reform and Glasnost policy programs as well as other external and internal pressures contributed to the failure of communism under Gorbachev. The aim of the Perestroika and Glasnost reforms was to restructure and strengthen the Soviet political and economic system and provide more freedom and democracy within the Soviet Union while strengthening Communism. However, these changes had achieved exactly what they aimed to prevent when they were first elaborated and led to the failure of communism and collapse of the Soviet Union. While focusing on the policies this essay will also focus on the major increase in nationalism that occurred in the Soviet Republics as a result of the Glasnost. External pressure from the western world was also a factor and the role that the United States and the Ronald Reagan administration played in the downfall of communism under Gorbachev will be examined. The essay will also discuss how the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the 1991 Coup d’état led to the failure of the policies and failure of communism.

The catastrophes of the past are the foundation of the future, events that occurred in the past cause people to envision a “better life” of not only for themselves but a society as a whole. By envisioning a better future individual rose up, advocated ideas, and policies that they believed would help in advancing their countries. For the purpose of this course, let us discuss the uprising of the Russian government and the European Council; both as single entities have their own goals, but collectively they seek to benefit their country(‘s) and promote prosperity, but through history and the changes of power has that aim been reached? Or if it is already has reached it, will these forms of government fail?

The breakup of the Soviet Union had many diverse, national and far reaching effects on global politics and economics but also (more profoundly) on the countries that had once been contained within the Union. In this paper, I will address the economic dichotomy between Poland and Bulgaria specifically, focusing on them as my case studies. I will first endeavor to showcase the existence of pervasive disparity, and will consequently attempt to judge how it was brought about— for, although the countries began under extremely similar circumstances, Poland now exceeds Bulgaria in almost every conceivable economic endeavor. This leads to my underlying question: to what degree is there economic disparity between Poland and Bulgaria, and what has

Russia’s Return as a Superpower. There are concerns that Russia may once again “reassert itself militarily” (Wood 7). After the original fall of communism in 1991, Russia seemed to be on a path to democracy. Currently the notion of a democratic Russia seems to be fading as Russia “has been centralizing more and more power in the Kremlin” (Putin 2). Regional governors, who were once elected by the people, are now being appointed by Moscow.

Introduction: As one of the former republics of the Soviet Union, Moldova is among a group of countries in central Europe that is in the process of transitioning economy from a planned to a market economy. Over the years, Moldova has adopted free market policies that are believed to lead the country on a path of economic growth and freedom. Transition economists agree to a number of things involved in the transition process, that countries in this category must embark on, to ensure full transition to a market economy. This process calls forth a drastic restructuring of institutions. As such, Ukraine has adopted policies aimed at this goal. Despite such progressive efforts, the rate of growth has been disappointing compared to that of