Author Description

Through a comparative and historical analysis of change in the socialist and postsocialist systems of the Soviet bloc and China, this timely and original book clarifies the pitfalls in the formidable transition to a market economy. Bernard Chavance provides a succinct analysis of the politics and economies of Eastern Europe from the creation of the Stalinist system through three major waves of reform to the ultimate dismantling of most socialist governments. Exploring the link between the one-party regime and the growing rigidity of socialist economic systems, the author analyzes the failure of both incremental and radical reforms to adapt to new economic challenges, thus leading to the ultimate collapse of communist regimes in Europe.