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." 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 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.

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 Presents a thematic history of the 15 countries comprising the post-communist 'New Europe'. This title considers the effects of revolutionary change, the resurgence of nationalism, and the examination of the past. It looks at the process of building stable democratic states, and their integration with international structures.