INTS 285-01, Politics of Central and Eastern Europe, Fall 2008

Abstract

The course examines the past and present political, economic, and social landscape in Central and Eastern Europe, with particular emphasis on the diversity of post-communist transformations. It has four main components. First, the course presents students with the historical, cultural, social and political specificities of Central and Eastern Europe as a distinct region, as well as the diversity within the area itself. Second, it introduces them to political, governmental, and economic institutions and processes associated with non-democratic and democratic regimes in the region. Third, the course explores the domestic and international factors that influenced the course and success of the transitions to democracy and market economy, including the prospective memberships in the EU and NATO. Finally, the course looks at the current state of Central and East European societies, with emphasis on the most pressing problems they face.