Post-Communism's First Decade: A Primer for Non-Specialists

2003/06/01 by Barbara J. Falk · 1 voice · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Eastern European Communism and Reforms #Historical Geopolitical and Social Dynamics #Post-Communist Economic and Political Transition

paper · doi:10.1017/s0008423903778706

openalex publication_date 2003/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21

Abstract

This article examines the lessons "learned" and the legacies inherent in the downfall of authoritarian communism in central and eastern Europe in view of post-communism's first decade. It is argued that the events of 1989-1991 were revolutionary in dramatically and unexpectedly establishing new regimes and ushering in simultaneous and multilateral (political, economic, social, national) change. Furthermore, 1989-1991 represents a rejection of "grand narrative" large-scale social experimentation in political arrangements in favour of hybridism and incrementalism. Ten key maxims are introduced as a means of analyzing this historical rupture and understanding the variety of experiences across the region.

Cited by

• The Birth and Death of Liberal Democracy in Hungary: The Populist Logic of Polarisation as Hegemony

Discussions

• Falk wrote: "Being in a politically grey zone between 'consolidated' democracy and its opposite - as is the case with many post-Soviet republics - does not mean being destined to illiberal hybridism [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]

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