This book focuses not only on economic and political transformation since the demise of communism in Eastern and Central Europe, but also on the relationships between economic organization, social patterns and institutional change. The changes in political structure and policies of economic reform have in turn resulted in changes in social institutions and patterns of social relations. The authors look at social relations under the old regimes to understand the current social transformation. They consider economic restructuring both in the context of social change and in terms of its consequences for society, using case studies from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. The impact of economic changes on new forms of institutional arrangements, social patterns and organization are also discussed taking into account privatization, employment, social welfare, property and industrial relations. This new book will be welcomed by economists, political scientists and sociologists working in the area of transition.

Acclaimed historian, and retired Alec Nove Chair in Russian and East European History at the University of Glasgow, Geoffrey Swain, has written extensively on the history of Russia and Eastern Europe during the twentieth century, in particular on Russia during the Civil War, Latvia during the first years of Soviet rule, and the career of Josip Broz Tito. Esteemed for his pursuit of historical enquiry which went "against the grain" of commonly accepted views of communism in power, significantly, Swain also explored the strength or coherence of some of the alternatives that emerged to the paths actually taken, themes which, in their own way, run through this collection of essays, featuring contributions predominantly from papers delivered at the 7th CRCEES Research Forum in July 2015. Honoring the critical tradition and at times contentious work of Geoffrey Swain, this volume comprises seven original articles offering alternative insights into the complexities of Russian, Yugoslav and Latvian history, which are complemented by three essays reviewing his work, it's context and implications. This book was originally published as a special issue of Europe-Asia Studies.

Marking the fiftieth anniversary of events in 1956, that were a major turning point in the history of communist-ruled Eastern Europe, this book contains a selection of some of the most recent research on those momentous events and their memory and legacy.

Marking the 50th anniversary of events in 1956, that were a major turning point in the history of communist-ruled Eastern Europe, this book contains a selection of some of the most recent research on those momentous events and their memory and legacy. The book contains edited contributions from historians and social scientists from Hungary, Poland the UK and the USA. Their contributions are the fruit of research which has only been possible since 1989. In the years since the fall of the communist regimes the state archives have been opened to researchers and it has been possible to collect the testimony of eye-witnesses without fear of repression and censorship. The outcome of 1956 led to Poland embarking on its own distinctive version of communist rule. Meanwhile 1956 in Hungary saw the first society-wide attempt to overthrow a ruling communist regime - only to be put down by Soviet military intervention. In both countries the events of 1956 had lasting repercussions for society and its relationship with the communist regime. In retrospect they can be seen as paving the way for the eventual fall of the communist regimes in East Central Europe in 1989.

Russia's post-Soviet modernisation is complex and subject to changing interpretations among Russian political leaders and observers of Russia. This has created serious problems for understanding Russia and the changes it is currently undergoing. With this in mind, a new Finnish Centre of Excellence was established in 2012 at the Aleksanteri Institute of the University of Helsinki under the title 'Choices of Russian Modernisation'. This collection of essays represents some of the first examples of the Centre's research. Reflecting the broad range of issues explored in the work of the Centre, it covers questions of Russia's historical legacy, technological development, energy economy, political regime, political opposition, social development, religious life and external relations. The authors are all members of or affiliated to the Centre of Excellence. This book was originally published as a special issue of Europe-Asia Studies.

First published in 1995, the aim of this book is to review various aspects of the process of democratic transition in Hungary over the period of its first post-communist, freely elected parliament between 1990 and 1994. The studies collected in this book attempt to put them in the context of longer-term trends in Hungarian politics. Hungary offers an example of the problems of political change common to Eastern Europe following the collapse of the Eastern Bloc but also demonstrates a relatively stable and successful transformation built on a unique experience under communist rule that helped prepare it for a market-orientated economy transition and political pluralism.

Russia's post-Soviet modernisation is complex and subject to changing interpretations among Russian political leaders and observers of Russia. This has created serious problems for understanding Russia and the changes it is currently undergoing. With this in mind, a new Finnish Centre of Excellence was established in 2012 at the Aleksanteri Institute of the University of Helsinki under the title 'Choices of Russian Modernisation'. This collection of essays represents some of the first examples of the Centre's research. Reflecting the broad range of issues explored in the work of the Centre, it covers questions of Russia's historical legacy, technological development, energy economy, political regime, political opposition, social development, religious life and external relations. The authors are all members of or affiliated to the Centre of Excellence. This book was originally published as a special issue of Europe-Asia Studies.

The end of communism and accession to the European Union have had a huge impact on Poland. This book provides an overall assessment of the post-1989 transformation in Poland. It focuses in particular on four key themes: economic transformation and its outcomes; the heritage of the past and national identity; regional development in Poland including the implications of EU accession for regional development; and political developments both before and after EU accession. In addition the book shows how changes in all these areas are related, and emphasises the overall common themes. The book is in memory of George Blazyca, of the University of Paisley, whose work on the political economy of transition in Poland is highly regarded, and who did a great deal to support the work of Polish academic colleagues and to promote the work of young scholars.

The end of communism and accession to the European Union have had a huge impact on Poland. This book provides an overall assessment of the post-1989 transformation in Poland. It focuses in particular on four key themes: economic transformation and its outcomes; the heritage of the past and national identity; regional development in Poland including the implications of EU accession for regional development; and political developments both before and after EU accession. In addition the book shows how changes in all these areas are related, and emphasises the overall common themes. The book is in memory of George Blazyca, of the University of Paisley, whose work on the political economy of transition in Poland is highly regarded, and who did a great deal to support the work of Polish academic colleagues and to promote the work of young scholars.

This collection of new articles offers a retrospective view of the events of the 1956 revolution in Hungary, the consequences they have had for Hungary's political development since, and the significance of 1956 in current Hungarian politics. Different articles draw on the findings of various kinds of research, including work in documentary and archival collections that have only recently been opened up, sociological survey research, and in some cases, on personal reminiscences as well.

This collection of new articles offers a retrospective view of the events of the 1956 revolution in Hungary, the consequences they have had for Hungary's political development since, and the significance of 1956 in current Hungarian politics. Different articles draw on the findings of various kinds of research, including work in documentary and archival collections that have only recently been opened up, sociological survey research, and in some cases, on personal reminiscences as well.

Of all the scholarly work on the countryside done in pre-1917 Russia and in the Soviet Union in the 1920s, that of L.N. Kritsman and those influenced by him - the so-called 'Agrarian Marxists' - is perhaps the least well known. However, that work was of extremely high quality and very original. Its significance is more than historical, since it has great relevance to the study of peasantries in contemporary poor countries - especially to the analysis of peasant differentiation. This volume, first published in 1984, has been prepared by two specialists who have been working on Kritsman and the Agrarian Marxists for several years, and will help dispel ignorance of this important body of writing. It consists of two substantial essays, and an abridged translation of one of Kritsman's most important works: Class Differentiation of the Soviet Countryside (first published in 1926 and never before translated into English).

First published in 1995, the aim of this book is to review various aspects of the process of democratic transition in Hungary over the period of its first post-communist, freely elected parliament between 1990 and 1994. The studies collected in this book attempt to put them in the context of longer-term trends in Hungarian politics. Hungary offers an example of the problems of political change common to Eastern Europe following the collapse of the Eastern Bloc but also demonstrates a relatively stable and successful transformation built on a unique experience under communist rule that helped prepare it for a market-orientated economy transition and political pluralism.

This book presents a selection of recent research on the events and developments of 1989 in Eastern Europe. It offers a mix of detailed examinations of the events of 1989 in Eastern Europe, thoughtful and considered appraisals of developments, and 'middle-range' theoretical discussions of patterns of cause and effect. The authors range in their approaches from detailed examinations of government and ruling-party papers from the archives, some of it originally labelled top secret, to personal observations and oral history based on interviews with participants, to analysis of survey data and official statistics. In their chosen focus the essays range from explorations of the emerging crisis in the communist regimes that led to the events of 1989, reflections and insights into the events and changing mood during 1989 itself, and examinations of some of the consequences and legacies of 1989. This book was published as a special issue of Europe-Asia Studies.

Of all the scholarly work on the countryside done in pre-1917 Russia and in the Soviet Union in the 1920s, that of L.N. Kritsman and those influenced by him - the so-called 'Agrarian Marxists' - is perhaps the least well known. However, that work was of extremely high quality and very original. Its significance is more than historical, since it has great relevance to the study of peasantries in contemporary poor countries - especially to the analysis of peasant differentiation. This volume, first published in 1984, has been prepared by two specialists who have been working on Kritsman and the Agrarian Marxists for several years, and will help dispel ignorance of this important body of writing. It consists of two substantial essays, and an abridged translation of one of Kritsman's most important works: Class Differentiation of the Soviet Countryside (first published in 1926 and never before translated into English).

This book presents a selection of recent research on the general theme of civil society and social capital. In particular, it brings together in one volume a selection of articles that have helped to take the debate forward on the relation between social capital and democratisation and on the role and political strength or weakness of civil society in post-communist countries. The authors range in their approaches from detailed examinations of the extent and character of social capital in different societies in post-communist Eastern Europe, to studies of civil society in particular countries of the region and case studies of different civil society groups including environmental groups, local interest groups, pensioners' groups, car drivers' groups and trade unions. The newly written introduction provides a critical review of the wider body of literature on the theme, placing the selected articles in a broader context, and identifying ways forward for future research. This book is a compilation of articles published in Europe-Asia Studies.

This book presents a selection of recent research on the events and developments of 1989 in Eastern Europe. It offers a mix of detailed examinations of the events of 1989 in Eastern Europe, thoughtful and considered appraisals of developments, and 'middle-range' theoretical discussions of patterns of cause and effect. The authors range in their approaches from detailed examinations of government and ruling-party papers from the archives, some of it originally labelled top secret, to personal observations and oral history based on interviews with participants, to analysis of survey data and official statistics. In their chosen focus the essays range from explorations of the emerging crisis in the communist regimes that led to the events of 1989, reflections and insights into the events and changing mood during 1989 itself, and examinations of some of the consequences and legacies of 1989. This book was published as a special issue of Europe-Asia Studies.

This book presents a selection of recent research on the general theme of civil society and social capital. In particular, it brings together in one volume a selection of articles that have helped to take the debate forward on the relation between social capital and democratisation and on the role and political strength or weakness of civil society in post-communist countries. The authors range in their approaches from detailed examinations of the extent and character of social capital in different societies in post-communist Eastern Europe, to studies of civil society in particular countries of the region and case studies of different civil society groups including environmental groups, local interest groups, pensioners' groups, car drivers' groups and trade unions. The newly written introduction provides a critical review of the wider body of literature on the theme, placing the selected articles in a broader context, and identifying ways forward for future research. This book is a compilation of articles published in Europe-Asia Studies.

Our emotions can get the best of us?especially when we climb behind the wheel of a car. Why is it that a perfectly nice Christian person can absolutely ?lose their religion? once they head down the road? It's a challenge we all face, but help is on the way! How to Drive Like a Christian addresses this struggle, but with humor and practical advice. Author Terri Cox shares engaging personal anecdotes alongside poignant Bible lessons, and you will learn how to integrate these biblical lessons into your everyday life on the highway. Each chapter also features a look at how these driving dilemmas parallel our lives as Christians as we safely move along the Christian road with patience, perseverance, and courage. The apostle Paul reminds us that God will never give us more than we can handle?even when we are behind the wheel in the worst traffic jam!

There are many things that have occurred in your life that should not have happened. God in his infinite wisdom, mercy and grace can make all of them work together for your good.

Eric and the Land of Lost Things tells about a five year old boy who is playing with his new soccer ball in the backyard. Following his ball into the dark, thick hedge surrounding his backyard, Eric finds himself in the land where all lost things go. He sees a man standing in front of a very large pile of sock. Eric startles the man accidently when Eric says hello. This man has not seen Eric's soccer ball. Eric learns that this man is the keeper of lost things. After more socks rain down onto Mr. Keeper, Eric finds out Mr. Keeper has been trying to sort these socks for years unsuccessfully. Eric helps Mr. Keeper with his dilemma. Together they go around the mountain of socks and Eric sees this soccer ball on a large stack of books. Eric is invited to visit again by Mr. Keeper.