With Mongolia fast becoming a significant exporter of minerals and raw materials, this book provides a full account of political and economic events in this important country. It focuses on the period since the establishment of the Soviet-backed Mongolian People's Republic in 1924 and the transition towards a democratic free market system since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Covering key topics in Mongolia's recent development, the book looks at: economic and political reform process the role of the private sector foreign aid trade and investment the attempts to tackle pressing issues such as growth, inflation, unemployment, poverty, problems of climate and weather, and pollution. This book is an important resource for anyone seeking to understand this fascinating country's affairs.

Providing a unique level of coverage, this book provides a comprehensive survey of the political and economic development of the countries of the former Soviet Union, from the mid-1990s onwards.

The rapid changes in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union are often bewildering, with many frequent, highly significant changes in the different sectors of the economy and the political system. There have been frequent changes of personnel in government and economic management and many changes have been reversed - and sometimes forgotten, or at other times reinstated. What happened when? Who was responsible for what? Did such a change in one sector precede or follow a particular change elsewhere? These are points not easily remembered. This book provides full details of the many changes, and enables sense to be made of what would otherwise be a confusing situation. Developments are arranged chronologically by sector, and the book is unusual in extensively chronicling both economic and political developments and the crucial connections between them. There is a generous introduction and overview to help the reader find his or her way around. The material covers the period up to late autumn 2000, and thus offers a valuable guide to policies in the Putin era.

Originally published in 1987, this book brings together leading authorities from Germany and the USA who analyze how the East German economy actually operated - planning and management, pricing, investment and innovation, the financial system, agriculture and foreign trade (including the special concessions granted by the then Federal Republic of Germany). The volume is an insightful study of one of the least studied and most successful of socialist economies.

First published in 1990, A Guide to the Socialist Economies explores the evolution of a variety of economic systems in the socialist world and highlights major problems facing fourteen countries - Albania, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, the GDR, Hungary, North Korea, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, the Soviet Union, Vietnam and Yugoslavia -against a background of continuous change, characterized by such events as the Berlin blockade, the Korean war, the Hungarian revolution and the invasion of Czechoslovakia. The traditional Soviet economic model is studied in detail as the basic system adopted by or imposed upon all of these countries. A separate chapter is devoted to foreign trade in general and Comecon in particular, while each of the country studies deals with the political and economic background, economic reforms (including industry, agriculture, the financial system and foreign trade and capital) and the private sector. The book provides information on the economic institutions of all the individual countries which is invaluable if the various courses of reform each country has engaged upon are to be understood. Historical material supplements contemporary information in a work which is to be an essential reference for anyone engaged in a study of, or trade with, the socialist countries.

China's role in global events today cannot be overestimated. This book provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of contemporary political developments in China. Key topics covered include: China's international relations with its neighbours and with the international community more widely; demographic developments; Taiwan; Macao and Hong Kong, Tibet, Uighurs; human rights, health issues (including bird flu); food contamination and defective goods; and a chronology of political developments, congresses and Central Committee sessions since May 2006; the earthquake of 12 May 2008 and the 2008 Olympic Games. The book continues - and adds to - the overview of developments up to May 2006 which were covered in the author's China: A Guide to Economic and Political Developments (2006), and is the companion volume to Economic Developments in Contemporary China: A Guide (2010) - both published by Routledge.

This book provides full details of contemporary economic and political developments in North Korea since late 2005, continuing the overview of developments which were covered in the author's North Korea: A Guide to Economic and Political Developments (Routledge 2006). Key topics covered include: the succession; family visits; human rights; nuclear capability and intentions; recent initiatives in international relations, and relations with the United States; and adverse economic and social conditions. Overall, the book demonstrates the degree to which North Korea's international position is changing. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current political and economic situation in North Korea today, and is an important resource for all those interested in this country's recent development.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of political developments in Russia since late 2000, following on from where the author's previous publication, The New Russia, left off. It covers all aspects of politics including the following: the highly centralized nature of power in Russia; central government and presidential elections; regional government and developments in the republics, including unrest in Chechnya and the other Caucasian republics; and human rights. Taking a chronological approach, it shows how politics overall has changed over the period, including how the relationship between Prime Minister (formerly President) Vladimir Putin and President Dmitri Medvedev has worked out. The book continues - and adds to - the overview of developments in the author's The New Russia (2002), and is the companion volume to Economic Developments in Contemporary Russia (2011) - both published by Routledge.

China's role in global affairs today continues to rise. This book provides an authoritative, comprehensive and detailed overview of contemporary economic developments in China. Key topics include agriculture; the market gradually replacing central planning; the global financial crisis; the reform of state-owned industrial enterprises; the non-state sectors; the 'open-door' policy (including the WTO, exchange rate policy, and inward and outward direct foreign investment); and China's economic performance in general. The book continues - and adds to - the overview of developments up to May 2006 which were covered in the author's China: A Guide to Economic and Political Developments (2006), and is the companion volume to Political Developments in Contemporary China: A Guide (2010) - both published by Routledge.

This landmark book provides an up-to-date assessment and evaluation of industrial reform in 14 countries. Topics covered in detail include the changing role of the industrial enterprise, the state and private sectors, privatization, pricing, foreign trade and direct foreign investment. Emphasis is placed on events since 1989, the year of 'revolution' in Eastern Europe.Few of the countries are now traditionally 'socialist'. Cuba and North Korea can be so described, economically and politically. China and Vietnam grapple with market-orientated economic reforms while in the firm grip of the Communist Party. Other countries are now at various distances along the road to democracy and the market. These 'emerging democracies' or 'emerging market economies' face new and formidable challenges in making the transition from predominantly state-owned, planned economies to market economies based on private property. East Germany has been reunited with the Federal Republic, but the former industrial sector has been badly hit. The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, on the other hand, are disintegrating. Their emerging, independent states face daunting tasks; one critical question is whether they can form voluntary and sustainable economic unions. This book provides authoritative up-to-date studies of industrial reform in socialist countries and will be essential reading for anyone with an interest in the transition to market economies in post-Communist societies.

Winning the Vietnam War proved easier than winning the peace. Since 1975, the reunited country has faced the problem of how a poorer, planned economy in which state ownership and control could successfully absorb a more advanced, capitalist economy. In addition, the collapse of communism and the end of the Cold War heralded a new age in Vietnam's internal and external relations. Vietnam traces developments since the end of the Vietnam War, including recent economic reforms, the politics of the Communist Party, and the re-establishment of relations with the United States. It gives a comprehensive and informative overview of the current political and economic situation in Vietnam today.

There is much intense interest in North Korea at present. This partly arises from questions about Korea's nuclear capability and intentions, and about the extent to which North Korea may be viewed as 'a rogue state' or part of 'the axis of evil'. In addition, however, North Korea has recently begun experimenting with reforms along Chinese lines. The vigour with which these will be pursued, and related questions about the degree of engagement, or otherwise, with South Korea are also important issues. This book provides full details of economic and political developments in North Korea since 1989 when the communist world began to change irrevocably.

Offering a unique level of coverage, this book provides a comprehensive survey of the political and economic development of the countries of the former Soviet Union from the mid-1990s onwards.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of political developments in Russia since late 2000, following on from where the authora (TM)s previous publication, The New Russia, left off.a It covers all aspects of politics including the following: the highly centralized nature of power in Russia; central government and presidential elections; regional government and developments in the republics, including unrest in Chechnya and the other Caucasian republics; and human rights. Taking a chronological approach, it shows how politics overall has changed over the period, including how the relationship between Prime Minister (formerly President) Vladimir Putin and President Dmitri Medvedev has worked out.

The book continues - and adds to a " the overview of developments in the authora (TM)s The New Russia (2002), and is the companion volume to Economic Developments in Contemporary Russia (2011) - both published by Routledge.

This book provides full details of contemporary economic and political developments in Vietnam. It continues the overview of developments up to late 2005 which were covered in the authora (TM)s Vietnam: A Guide to Economic and Political Developments (also published by Routledge, 2006). Key topics covered include Vietnam's success, in general, in maintaining high rates of growth in the face of problems such as inflation and the global financial crisis; continuing economic reforms; foreign trade and investment; battles against corruption; population growth; the determination of the Communist Party to maintain its hold on power; and Vietnam's response to public health problems such as AIDS, SARS and bird flu.

China's role in global events today cannot be overestimated. This book provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of contemporary political developments in China. Key topics covered include: China's international relations with its neighbours and with the international community more widely; demographic developments; Taiwan; Macao and Hong Kong, Tibet, Uighurs; human rights, health issues (including bird flu); food contamination and defective goods; and a chronology of political developments, congresses and Central Committee sessions since May 2006; the earthquake of 12 May 2008 and the 2008 Olympic Games. The book continues - and adds to - the overview of developments up to May 2006 which were covered in the author's China: A Guide to Economic and Political Developments (2006), and is the companion volume to Economic Developments in Contemporary China: A Guide (2010) - both published by Routledge.

Chinaa (TM)s role in global affairs today continues to rise. This book provides an authoritative, comprehensive and detailed overview of contemporary economic developments in China. Key topics includea agriculture; the market gradually replacing central planning; the global financial crisis; the reform of state-owned industrial enterprises; the non-state sectors; the a ~open-doora (TM) policy (including the WTO, exchange rate policy, and inward and outward direct foreign investment); and Chinaa (TM)s economic performance in general.a

The book continues - and adds to a " the overview of developments up to May 2006 which were covered in the authora (TM)s China: A Guide to Economic and Political Developments (2006), and is the companion volume to Political Developments in Contemporary China: A Guide (2010) - both published by Routledge.

This book provides full details of contemporary economic and political developments in North Korea since late 2005, continuing the overview of developments which were covered in the author 's North Korea: A Guide to Economic and Political Developments (Routledge 2006). Key topics covered include: the succession; family visits; human rights; nuclear capability and intentions; recent initiatives in international relations, and relations with the United States; and adverse economic and social conditions.

Overall, the book demonstrates the degree to which North Korea 's international position is changing. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current political and economic situation in North Korea today, and is an important resource for all those interested in this country 's recent development.

This welcome second edition of A History of Eastern Europe provides comprehensive coverage of a complex past, from antiquity to the present day.

This new edition provides a thematic historical survey of the formative processes of political, social and economic change which have played paramount roles in shaping the evolution and development of the region. Subjects covered include:

• Eastern Europe in ancient, medieval and early modern times
• the legacies of Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Empire
• the impact of the region's powerful Russian and Germanic neighbours
• rival concepts of 'Central' and 'Eastern' Europe
• the experience and consequences of the two World Wars
• varieties of fascism in Eastern Europe
• the impact of Communism from the 1940s to the 1980s
• post-Communist democratization and marketization
• the eastward enlargement of the EU.

Including two new chronologies - one for the Balkans and one for East-Central Europe - and a glossary of key terms and concepts, A History of Eastern Europe is the ideal companion for all students of Eastern Europe.

An excellent companion volume to the successful A History of Eastern Europe, this is a country-by-country treatment of the contemporary history of each of the Balkan states: Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosova.

With a distinctive conceptual framework for explaining divergent patterns of historical change, the book shifts the emphasis away from traditional cultural explanations and concentrates on the pervasive influence of strongly entrenched vertical power-structures and power-relations.

Focusing on political and economic continuities and changes since the 1980s, The Balkans includes brief overviews of the history of each state prior to the 1980s to provide the background to enable all students of Eastern European history to make sense of the more recent developments.

An excellent companion volume to the successful A History of Eastern Europe, this is a country-by-country treatment of the contemporary history of each of the Balkan states: Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosova.

With a distinctive conceptual framework for explaining divergent patterns of historical change, the book shifts the emphasis away from traditional cultural explanations and concentrates on the pervasive influence of strongly entrenched vertical power-structures and power-relations.

Focusing on political and economic continuities and changes since the 1980s, The Balkans includes brief overviews of the history of each state prior to the 1980s to provide the background to enable all students of Eastern European history to make sense of the more recent developments.

There is currently widespread interest in the Chinese economy, due to its huge and rapid growth, and the consequent impact on world business and the world economy. At the same time, there are concerns about China's political system, China's human rights record and the degree to which reform - the development of 'socialism with Chinese characteristics' - represent real liberalization.

Providing an overview of earlier events in order to set the context in which economic and political development have taken place, the book traces economic and political growth in China from the early 1990s to the present. Covering Hong Kong, Macao, Tibet and Taiwan, the book discusses China's relations, including international trade with its neighbours and with the international community more widely. Other key topics covered include the growth of the market, the reform of state owned enterprises, human rights and SARS.

Winning the Vietnam War proved easier than winning the peace. Since 1975, the reunited country has faced the problem of how a poorer, planned economy in which state ownership and control could successfully absorb a more advanced, capitalist economy. In addition, the collapse of communism and the end of the Cold War heralded a new age in Vietnam's internal and external relations.

Vietnam traces developments since the end of the Vietnam War, including recent economic reforms, the politics of the Communist Party, and the re-establishment of relations with the United States. It gives a comprehensive and informative overview of the current political and economic situation in Vietnam today.

There is much intense interest in North Korea at present. This partly arises from questions about Korea's nuclear capability and intentions, and about the extent to which North Korea may be viewed as 'a rogue state' or part of 'the axis of evil'. In addition, however, North Korea has recently begun experimenting with reforms along Chinese lines, and the vigour with which these will be pursued, and related questions about the degree of engagement, or otherwise, with South Korea are also important issues. This book provides full details of economic and political developments in North Korea since 1989 when the communist world began to change irrevocably. Developments are arranged chronologically by sector, and there is a generous introduction and summary background information to set developments in context.

Contents:
Part One: The Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia Part Two: The Central Asian Republics of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan