Soviet And East European Transport Problems

Originally published in 1985, this book considers many important aspects of the transport systems of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. It looks at the different modes of transport and the problems faced by each. Examining the relationship between transport problems and those of poor economic performance against the possibilities of economic reform the book analyses some of the measures which were taken to remedy the situation.

In the fast-growing East European economies, a parti cularly important role falls to the transport systems that are called upon to move an ever-rising volume of goods and a con stantly increasing number of passengers. Gaining new insights into the problems that face those transport systems, into their achievements, and into some still unanswered questions is therefore highly interesting and--in terms of world experience --essential. The transportation systems of Eastern Europe operate within a centrally planned environment, but they serve dif ferent types of economies, from highly advanced East Germany and Czechoslovakia to the still industrializing Romania and Bulgaria. They have to satisfy fairly diversified transport needs: they operate within systems that have adopted different scales of political and economic priorities and different methods and forms of achieving them politically--from the faithful Soviet shadow-state of East Germany to the indepen dence-seeking Romania and Yugoslavia and, economically, from the traditionally strict authoritarian form of Romania that seeks industrialization and state power to the New Economic Mechanism of Hungary and the decentralization of Yugoslavia. Also, unlike the Soviet Union, the East European transport sys tems cover relatively small territories whose external connec tions differ from one another in scope and in modes. In addi tion, the transport systems of Eastern Europe have been called upon to accomplish feats of steeply rising performance with x infrastructures and equipment supported by miserly allocations.

An empirical study of transportation in Eastern Europe during the early years of communist rule in Eastern Europe.

Providing a comprehensive, descriptive analysis of a wide range of Central and East European countries, this updated paperback edition offers an invaluable study of pollution problems and effects on the quality of life. Revisions include: * new chapter on Slovakia, demonstrating the implementation of a number of practical measures which have made a considerable impact on environmental problems that arose under communism and have been tackled during the transition. * new concluding chapter which provides an important overview of recent developments in Eastern Europe and discusses topical issues such as health hazards and methods of charging polluters for environmental damage.

Challenges of Modernity offers a broad account of the social and economic history of Central and Eastern Europe in the twentieth century and asks critical questions about the structure and experience of modernity in different contexts and periods. This volume focuses on central questions such as: How did the various aspects of modernity manifest themselves in the region, and what were their limits? How was the multifaceted transition from a mainly agrarian to an industrial and post-industrial society experienced and perceived by historical subjects? Did Central and Eastern Europe in fact approximate its dream of modernity in the twentieth century despite all the reversals, detours and third-way visions? Structured chronologically and taking a comparative approach, a range of international contributors combine a focus on the overarching problems of the region with a discussion of individual countries and societies, offering the reader a comprehensive, nuanced survey of the social and economic history of this complex region in the recent past. The first in a four-volume set on Central and Eastern Europe in the twentieth century, it is the go-to resource for those interested in the ‘challenges of modernity‘ faced by this dynamic region.

Housing has enjoyed a high place on the agendas of most socialist countries. However this place has not been undisputed and this book examines the internal and external forces which have influenced housing under central planning.