The collapse of communist systems in Europe and the break-up of the Soviet Union have opened a completely new field for political, economic and social study: post-communism. Since then, several efforts have been made to explain the quite different outcomes of what has often been regarded as a common starting point. This cannot surprise: the concept of postcommunism itself implies that the similarities between formerly communist countries overweigh their differences, and a comparative study is hoped to uncover the set of theories that could be applicable to at least most of the region, if not beyond that.
But has this approach been successful so far? Or do the current results rather suggest that post-communist studies after merely ten years of existence are lacking behind twenty years already, as it has been put provocatively for the political field? Is there a useful way of comparing the experiences of the formerly communist states, or might such an approach be initially a fraud?
This essay tries to answer these questions in the following way: first of all, it gives an overview over post-communist experiences, in order to come, secondly, to a characterisation of the phenomenon. Thirdly, the main theoretical approaches on the subject that are based on comparison are discussed. As a conclusion of these comparative studies, the author argues that post-communism can only be generalised as a phenomenon if seen as an experience of, and challenge to, collective identity.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Experiences of Post-Communism
- Characterisation of the Phenomenon
- Theoretical Approaches Based on Comparison
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to examine the experiences of post-communist states, focusing on whether they can be compared in a systematic and meaningful way. It will explore the challenges and complexities of post-communist transitions and assess the effectiveness of various theoretical approaches in explaining the diverse outcomes.
- The diversity of post-communist experiences
- The role of "common heritage" in shaping post-communist transitions
- The limitations of existing theoretical frameworks, including transitology and imperial collapse theories
- The importance of political economy in understanding post-communist developments
- The impact of nationalism and ethnicity on post-communist societies
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The Experiences of Post-Communism: This section provides an overview of the vast array of post-communist experiences, highlighting the different paths taken by formerly communist states. It covers a range of factors, including the nature of the transition process, political and social changes, and economic restructuring.
- Characterisation of the Phenomenon: This chapter delves into the concept of "common heritage" as a framework for understanding post-communism. It explores the legacy of communism and its impact on political culture, social structures, and the challenges of transitioning to new systems.
- Theoretical Approaches Based on Comparison: This chapter critically examines the theoretical frameworks commonly employed to analyze post-communist transitions. It evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of transitology and imperial collapse theories, highlighting their limitations in explaining the diverse outcomes observed.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this essay include post-communism, transition, common heritage, transitology, imperial collapse, political economy, nationalism, ethnicity, and democratization.
- Quote paper
- Christopher Selbach (Author), 2001, Can the recent experiences of the formerly communist states be compared in any meaningful fashion?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/16466
