The Burdens of Freedom: Eastern Europe since 1989 (Global History of the Present)

"From Estonia to Macedonia, this book is a history of 15 countries as they negotiate their transition from communism. For some, the story ends happily, with triumphant entry into the European Union in 2004.Others are caught in limbo, destroyed by nationalist politics, war and genocide, or crippled by corrupt political practices. The Burdens of Freedom considers the effects of revolutionary change, the resurgence of nationalism and the painful examination of the past. It looks at the process of building stable democratic states, and their integration with international structures. Most of the countries have established admission to the EU as a national objective; but many of them have also been active participants in the American-led occupation of Iraq. Domestically, each has seen a divide emerge between winners and losers. All are moving forward simultaneously to democracy, unity and prosperity, but also to national division and economic disparity." Contents 6 Acknowledgments 7 Map: Eastern Europe in 1989 9 Map: Eastern Europe in 2006 10 Introduction: the shock of the new 12 1 | Different paths on an open road: economic and social change 26 A time for experiments? 27 More shocks to the system 37 Movements after revolution 43 To market 50 2 | In praise of ethnic cleansing? National struggles 56 Nationalist extremes 58 Minorities, majorities, citizens 62 Shakespeare in Yugoslavia 67 Alternatives to cleansing 79 3 | Peeling away the past: nostalgia and punishment 86 Layer one: post-communist crimes 87 Layer two: uncertain births 90 Layer three: the communist mirror 93 Layer four: Stalin’s shadow 100 Layer five: dark passage 103 Making it right 105 The case for nostalgia 109 4 | Portraits of hubris: democratic politics 111 Change before democracy 112 The rise and fall of heroes 116 Return of the communists 120 Four last dictators 125 5 | A new Europe: the East in the West 139 An “anachronistic straitjacket” 140 New neighbors 144 NATO expands 146 The mysteries of Yugoslavia 148 Nation-building in NATO and the EU 155 Whose Europe? 164 Conclusion: the edge of history 170 Notes 174 Introduction 174 1 Different paths on an open road: economic and social change 174 2 In praise of ethnic cleansing? National struggles 176 3 Peeling away the past: nostalgia and punishment 177 4 Portraits of hubris: democratic politics 179 5 A new Europe: the East in the West 180 Index 182 From Estonia To Macedonia, This Book Is A History Of Fifteen Countries Negotiating Their Transition From Communism. For Some, The Story Ends Happily, With Triumphant Entry Into The European Union In 2004. Others Are Caught In Limbo, Destroyed By Nationalist Politics, War And Genocide, Or Crippled By Corrupt Political Practices. The Burdens Of Freedom Considers The Effects Of Revolutionary Change, The Resurgence Of Nationalism And The Painful Examination Of The Past. It Looks At The Process Of Building Stable Democratic States, And Their Integration With International Structures. Most Of The Countries Have Established Admission To The Eu As A National Objective; But Many Of Them Have Also Been Active Participants In The American-led Occupation Of Iraq. Domestically, Each Has Seen A Divide Emerge Between Winners And Losers. All Are Moving Forward Simultaneously To Democracy, Unity And Prosperity, But Also To National Division And Economic Disparity.--jacket. Different Paths On An Open Road : Economic And Social Change -- In Praise Of Ethnic Cleansing? : National Struggles -- Peeling Away The Past : Nostalgia And Punishment -- Portraits Of Hubris : Democratic Politics -- A New Europe : The East In The West. Padraic Kenney. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [163]-170) And Index. From Estonia to Macedonia, this book is a history of 15 countries as they negotiate their transition from communism. For some, the story ends happily, with triumphant entry into the European Union in 2004. Others are caught in limbo, destroyed by nationalist politics, war and genocide, or crippled by corrupt political practices. The Burdens of History considers the effects of revolutionary change, the resurgence of nationalism and the painful examination of the past. It looks at the process of building stable democratic states, and their integration with international structures. Most of the c