Transition in Central and Eastern European Politics, The

Rating:
Summary: Informative and surprisingly easy to read
Review: No doubt - this book gives excellent, up-to-date information (published in 2000) about the societal developments and current political situation & tendencies in both Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland. The book is very logically composed: Each country is introduced with a brief on history, geography and politics. Mr. Derleth manages to explain politically complex issues in a fairly simple way, and each country's chapter has a helpful geographical map showing regions and cities.

Having read this book, the reader is certain to have a solid understanding of the political climate and current problems of the countries mentioned above. Very good.

I like two particular details: a. In each chapter, politically important people in the respective countries are described and introduced with a small CV (less than half a page each).

b. Furthermore, Derleth has added to each country's chapter a very helpful overview of related and relevant internet adresses where one can obtain additional information on a variety of political issues. Thanks for this detail.

However: My reason for giving this book only four stars instead of five are: 1. A slightly clearer point of view would be helpful in some of the chapters. For example, in the Bulgaria section, crime is described a couple of times as being on the rise, but in the very end is is said that under the current government, crime is down. I fully understand what the author means, namely that the crime wave seems to get under control by the ODF government, but on a couple of occasions there are some unclarities. Another way of putting it would probably solve these things.

2. Some more maps... Although each country's section is introduced with a good map, this good book could benefit from just a few more illustrations. Why not some photos/pictures of the most important figures? OK, most of us now very well how e.g. Yeltsin looks like, but why not in each country's section bring four or five photos/pictures of the most important persons in both historical and political sense?

That's it. Summa Summarum: If you want fresh and up-to-date info on politics in Russia, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary, buy this book. Other readers may find the number of maps fully satisfactory, it's a matter of taste. The most important thing is that everything is explained in a way so that even a person knowing absolutely nothing about these four countries will obtain a solid and useful knowledge, on history as well as politics.

Rating:
Summary: Informative and surprisingly easy to read
Review: No doubt - this book gives excellent, up-to-date information (published in 2000) about the societal developments and current political situation & tendencies in both Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland. The book is very logically composed: Each country is introduced with a brief on history, geography and politics. Mr. Derleth manages to explain politically complex issues in a fairly simple way, and each country's chapter has a helpful geographical map showing regions and cities.

Having read this book, the reader is certain to have a solid understanding of the political climate and current problems of the countries mentioned above. Very good.

I like two particular details: a. In each chapter, politically important people in the respective countries are described and introduced with a small CV (less than half a page each).

b. Furthermore, Derleth has added to each country's chapter a very helpful overview of related and relevant internet adresses where one can obtain additional information on a variety of political issues. Thanks for this detail.

However: My reason for giving this book only four stars instead of five are: 1. A slightly clearer point of view would be helpful in some of the chapters. For example, in the Bulgaria section, crime is described a couple of times as being on the rise, but in the very end is is said that under the current government, crime is down. I fully understand what the author means, namely that the crime wave seems to get under control by the ODF government, but on a couple of occasions there are some unclarities. Another way of putting it would probably solve these things.

2. Some more maps... Although each country's section is introduced with a good map, this good book could benefit from just a few more illustrations. Why not some photos/pictures of the most important figures? OK, most of us now very well how e.g. Yeltsin looks like, but why not in each country's section bring four or five photos/pictures of the most important persons in both historical and political sense?

That's it. Summa Summarum: If you want fresh and up-to-date info on politics in Russia, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary, buy this book. Other readers may find the number of maps fully satisfactory, it's a matter of taste. The most important thing is that everything is explained in a way so that even a person knowing absolutely nothing about these four countries will obtain a solid and useful knowledge, on history as well as politics.

Rating:
Summary: The "Why" Behind Successful Transitions from Communism
Review: Professor Derleth's book is an excellent primer on former Soviet bloc countries that have been trying to establish constituional governments and free-market economic systems. Using Bulgaria, Russia, Hungary, and Poland as examples, Professor Derleth answers the question, "Why has the progress towards this goal has been uneven among these countries?"

He gives a thorough overview of the political systems, party systems, and electoral systems in each country, then demonstrates how the design of those systems directly affects outcomes in the transition process. Taking Russia for example, he demostrates how the checks and balances between the President and the parliament are strongly tilted towards the president. This system that gives the president so much power has caused instability when the president has tried to impose policies that lacked legislative support.

In taking this comparative approach, Derleth looks at historical similarities and differences, but he also examines the reforms that have been implemented and how they differ from one country to the next. If one wants to clearly understand the politics of countries in this region, this book offers a clear and concise way to do so.

I particularly enjoyed the overviews of the history of each country, but also found them quite telling about the contemporary situation in each countries today. For example, Derleth writes of Bulgaria, "As a result of Bulgaria's almost slavish alliance with the former Soviet Union, it has most of the latter's economic, politicial and social problems . . . this political and economic legacy has made it difficult to create a civil society, democratic institutions, and a market economy based on the rule of law."

What makes this book so useful is how it shows the inseperable relationship between politics and economics. Without the right kind of political reform, economic reform is doomed to fail. For example he shows how political battles in Bulgaria have prevented crucial economic reforms, such as privatization.

He also does not ignore cultural factors. He notes that one cultural factor that has led to Hungary's success is its previous economic and cultural links to the West. However, while Derleth considers the importance of culture, his book offer hope beyond the all-too-common refrain that countries are victims of their history. This book shows that there are right ways to establish political and econmomic systems, and that doing it the right way can direcctly lead a country towards freedom and prosperity -- regardless of their history.

One can take this lesson and apply it to any underdeveloped country. Derleth's approach is to look at the country's economy and ask such questions as, "To what extent have enterprises and property been privatized? How open and competitive are markets? What is the legal enivronment in the area of invesments?

Look at a country's political system, and ask such questions as "Is there a democratic, multiparty systems with free and fair elections? Do citizens have civil rights such as free speech and freedom of assembly?

Derleth leaves readers with hope for this region, noting that legal rights are being strenghtened, economic reforms are being implemented, and even former communists are learning to play politics in a democratic setting.

Rating:
Summary: The "Why" Behind Successful Transitions from Communism
Review: Professor Derleth's book is an excellent primer on former Soviet bloc countries that have been trying to establish constituional governments and free-market economic systems. Using Bulgaria, Russia, Hungary, and Poland as examples, Professor Derleth answers the question, "Why has the progress towards this goal has been uneven among these countries?"

He gives a thorough overview of the political systems, party systems, and electoral systems in each country, then demonstrates how the design of those systems directly affects outcomes in the transition process. Taking Russia for example, he demostrates how the checks and balances between the President and the parliament are strongly tilted towards the president. This system that gives the president so much power has caused instability when the president has tried to impose policies that lacked legislative support.

In taking this comparative approach, Derleth looks at historical similarities and differences, but he also examines the reforms that have been implemented and how they differ from one country to the next. If one wants to clearly understand the politics of countries in this region, this book offers a clear and concise way to do so.

I particularly enjoyed the overviews of the history of each country, but also found them quite telling about the contemporary situation in each countries today. For example, Derleth writes of Bulgaria, "As a result of Bulgaria's almost slavish alliance with the former Soviet Union, it has most of the latter's economic, politicial and social problems . . . this political and economic legacy has made it difficult to create a civil society, democratic institutions, and a market economy based on the rule of law."

What makes this book so useful is how it shows the inseperable relationship between politics and economics. Without the right kind of political reform, economic reform is doomed to fail. For example he shows how political battles in Bulgaria have prevented crucial economic reforms, such as privatization.

He also does not ignore cultural factors. He notes that one cultural factor that has led to Hungary's success is its previous economic and cultural links to the West. However, while Derleth considers the importance of culture, his book offer hope beyond the all-too-common refrain that countries are victims of their history. This book shows that there are right ways to establish political and econmomic systems, and that doing it the right way can direcctly lead a country towards freedom and prosperity -- regardless of their history.

One can take this lesson and apply it to any underdeveloped country. Derleth's approach is to look at the country's economy and ask such questions as, "To what extent have enterprises and property been privatized? How open and competitive are markets? What is the legal enivronment in the area of invesments?

Look at a country's political system, and ask such questions as "Is there a democratic, multiparty systems with free and fair elections? Do citizens have civil rights such as free speech and freedom of assembly?

Derleth leaves readers with hope for this region, noting that legal rights are being strenghtened, economic reforms are being implemented, and even former communists are learning to play politics in a democratic setting.