Transitions And Non Transitions From Communism

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, many scholars have sought to explain the collapse of communism. Yet, more than two decades on, communist regimes continue to rule in a diverse set of countries including China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam. In a unique study of fourteen countries, Steven Saxonberg explores the reasons for the survival of some communist regimes while others fell. He also shows why the process of collapse differed among communist-led regimes in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Based on the analysis of the different processes of collapse that has already taken place, and taking into account the special characteristics of the remaining communist regimes, 'Transitions and Non-Transitions from Communism' discusses the future prospects for the survival of the regimes in China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam.

A unique comparative study examining why some communist regimes remain in power, whilst others have fallen.

As China moved from a planned to a market economy many people expected that China’s political system would similarly move from authoritarianism to democracy. It is now clear, however, that political liberalisation does not necessarily follow economic liberalisation. This book explores this apparent contradiction, presenting many new perspectives and new thinking on the subject. It considers the path of transition in China historically, makes comparisons with other countries and examines how political culture and the political outlook in China are developing at present. A key feature of the book is the fact that most of the contributors are China-born, Western-trained scholars, who bring deep knowledge and well informed views to the study.

Studying the history of East-West relations from 1918 to the revolutions of 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union, this volume presents an analysis of this transitory period. It reviews communism as a worldwide phenomena and the prospects for communist nations in the new era of international relations.

Based on comparative lessons from other transitions from communism, the process of reform in Leninist societies may be divided into two main stages: the onset of reform; the sustaining and deepening of the reform process. The first stage may be marked initially by "tinkering type measures that do not alter significantly the power of the party and the state, but which may be followed by deeper structural reforms that begin to change the political and economic character of the system. Once the initial stage is passed without triggering a popular revolution, then the reforms need to be sustained and deepened. As they become more structural in nature, they may lead toward a complete transition away from command economy and monopoly on political power--the twin pillars of Leninist communist regimes, upheld by actual or threatened repression. However, what is important is the movement and direction of the reform process; the end point may not necessarily be some kind of a replica of a Western democratic system.

Based on comparative lessons from other transitions from communism, the process of reform in Leninist societies may be divided into two main stages: the onset of reform; the sustaining and deepening of the reform process. The first stage may be marked initially by "tinkering type measures that do not alter significantly the power of the party and the state, but which may be followed by deeper structural reforms that begin to change the political and economic character of the system. Once the initial stage is passed without triggering a popular revolution, then the reforms need to be sustained and deepened. As they become more structural in nature, they may lead toward a complete transition away from command economy and monopoly on political power--the twin pillars of Leninist communist regimes, upheld by actual or threatened repression. However, what is important is the movement and direction of the reform process; the end point may not necessarily be some kind of a replica of a Western democratic system.

This primary source account of post-communist regions examines how history, leadership, and foreign influence affected the process of economic transitions.

Contains 20 essays which discuss the differing forms of capitalism emerging in former socialist economies. Examines, inter alia, industrial restructuring, social and political movements and agrarian reform, and social transformations.