The Handbook of Political Change in Eastern Europe, Second Edition - Hardcover

Acclaim for the first edition: `The editors have succeeded in putting together an excellent group of authors who present a well informed and balanced analysis of the formation of political systems in the examined countries . . . The authors of this book are to be congratulated on the structure and clarity of its presentation. This volume makes an interesting contribution to knowledge in this field and should be useful reading for students and experts interested in Central and Eastern European politics.' -- Dan Marek, Journal of European Area Studies `This is a very interesting reference book of the political changes in Eastern Europe since the demise of communism. It will prove to be of great use for everybody involved in research on Eastern Europe, but it can also offer considerable introductory information to those who have not followed the most recent developments in the region.' -- Ioannis Armakolas, The Ethnic Conflict Research Digest

This thoroughly revised and updated edition of The Handbook of Political Change in Eastern Europe provides an authoritative and thorough analysis of the political changes which have occurred in Central and Eastern Europe since the demise of communism. It offers an historical, comparative perspective of the region and focuses on the social consequences of the democratization process throughout the 1990s and the early years of the 21st century. Significantly, this new edition includes an examination of the South East European countries of Croatia, Serbia and Moldova, which are often overlooked in studies on post-communist political development. The country-specific chapters are each written by distinguished scholars with particular expertise in their respective cases: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia and Moldova. Each chapter includes detailed examinations of elections, the formation of governments, electoral systems and constitutional arrangements. These up-to-date analyses are supplemented by conclusions on the party systems and emerging political structures in the region as a whole, and the consolidation of democracy in a post-communist setting. The revised and expanded version of The Handbook of Political Change in Eastern Europe provides a state-of-the art companion which will be indispensable for students and scholars in the social sciences, including political science, comparative politics, European studies and political history.