Abstract This paper provides a brief look at the history of Poland and then focuses on its current political and economic status. It explains that the country is set to become a full EU member by mid 2004 and examines what conditions and criteria the country needs to meet and uphold in order for this to occur.
From the Paper "Among the ten prospective members of the European Union Specified by the Nice conference, Poland bears the distinction of both having the largest population at 38.6 million, and the largest GDP at 176 billion. From 1997 through 2001, the Polish economy has grown at a steady 4.1% a year and is in many ways beginning to resemble its new western partners rather than its still-troubled eastern neighbors. (Economist, Jul. 29, 2002) Despite this, Poland differs from the traditional continental powers in several distinct ways. Perhaps most unique is the Republic's relationship with the United States."
Abstract This paper states that each country---Hungary, Belarus and Ukraine--- has a long history of special internal concerns, foreign relations goals, and socio-political aims that make joining the European Union a difficult decision. The author feels that Hungary, which is more like the West, is more likely to join the EU. The paper contends that Belarus and Ukraine, whose economies and societies are intertwined with Russia, more likely will turn towards Russia. Several long quotations. End notes.
From the Paper "Diplomatic relations were opened between Hungary and the European West in August 1988. This was followed by the Europe Agreement which was signed on December 16, 1991. This gave Hungary the status of an associated state within the European Union. As a result, there began a steady flow of Western funds into the Hungarian economy. Hungary was one of the first beneficiaries of the European Union's new PHARE program, a program specifically designed to render financial assistance to countries seeking admission into the European Union. Since 1990, Hungary has received more than ?1 billion under this program. Importantly, these funds do not have to be repaid, and have contributed successfully to the reinvigoration of Hungary's infrastructure: economic development and restructuring, environmental investments, research and development, public administration, human resources development, and various other tasks deems necessary to prepare estate for membership in the European Union. Furthermore, Hungary also benefits from two additional programs, the Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession, and the Special Accession Program for Agriculture and Rural Development. Under these programs, Hungary expects to receive nearly ?140 million each year over the course of the next few years. This cooperation with the West has been an extremely positive experience for Hungary."
Abstract Joseph Stalin set out to change the strictly agricultural Russia into an industrially powerful nation. In November 1927, Stalin launched his "revolution from above" by setting two extraordinary goals for Soviet domestic policy: rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. This papers examines the effects of Stalin's Five-Year Plans. It shows that although Russia reached new economic and industrial levels and became more modernized, Stalin was a brutal, single minded dictator who exploited the workers, allowed millions to die in slave labor and kept the populace in a constant state of fear and paranoia.
From the Paper "Stalin focused particular hostility on the wealthier peasants, or kulaks. About one million kulak households were deported and never heard from again. Forced collectivization of the remaining peasants, which was often fiercely resisted, resulted in a disastrous disruption of agricultural productivity and a catastrophic famine in 1932-33. Although the First Five-Year Plan called for the collectivization of only twenty percent of peasant households, by 1940 approximately ninety-seven percent of all peasant households had been collectivized and private ownership of property almost entirely eliminated. Forced collectivization helped achieve Stalin's goal of rapid industrialization and modernization, but the human costs were incalculable.1"
Abstract This paper discusses how Eastern and Western Europe have always been different from each other, both politically and socially. Clear distinctions have always been drawn between the two areas. It shows how from their ancient beginnings, shrouded in the mists of history to modern times, Eastern and Western Europe have followed different paths in their development. Even today, the political and social climate in these two areas is distinctly different, and it is obvious to a traveler that they are in one or the other without being told. This paper explores the divergent developments of Eastern and Western Europe and looks for the various factors that contributed to the different paths each region has taken.
From the Paper "Eastern Europe is a region that traditionally encompasses all of the land from the Balkans to Czechoslovakia to Poland. Eastern Europe today is just beginning to recover from decades under Communist rule, and capitalism is beginning to re-emerge. There is a highly concentrated number of working class people in Easter Europe, one of the highest concentrations of any area in the world. However, despite this high concentration of working people, there is still a large amount of collectivized state property, a remnant of communism. Any strike or disruption in the workforce in Eastern Europe is automatically a political situation, because the employer is the state. There is also a high degree of pollution in Eastern Europe, caused by the rapid push toward industrialization forced on it by the communists. This pollution has lead to environmental degradation and a high number of people operating at less than optimal health in the region. Eastern Europe today is struggling; it is not thriving, but it has not yet bowed down its head in defeat."
Abstract This paper examines the Republic of Belarus or Respublika Belarus, which is located in East Central Europe. It is bounded by Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west and the Baltic republics of Latvia and Lithuania to the northwest.
Outline
The Land
The People
Culture
Economy
Government and History
Problems
Hints and Lesson
From the Paper "Before 1990, the Communist Party of and in Belarus monopolized power with the participation of a coalition of pro-reform groups in elections to the Supreme Soviet. The legislature then was hardly changed, with most of the seats won by Communist Party members. The Party was banned after an attempted take-over of the Soviet government in August 199, but the ban was lifted in February 1993, which restored and reconstituted in the Party of Communists of Belarus (PCB). Thereon, the Communists won a plurality seat in the 1995 election to the Supreme Soviet. There too were the Agrarian Party, the United Civic Party and the main opposition group since 1988, the Belarusian Popular front or BPF. These were only a few of the more than 20 active political parties in Belarus in 1996."
Abstract This paper investigates how the conflict in Bosnia has impacted the existing elderly population that has been affected by the war. This paper achieves this goal through investigating the impact of globalization, the demographics of the region, the competition for funds, and the anti- discriminatory policies that have been put into place to protect the rights of the elderly in this region.
Abstract The paper will emphasize the particular significance of a Russian financial collapse, not so long after Glasnost and the introduction of a capitalist economy. The 1998 crisis was taken very seriously by international financial institutions, in view of Russia's economy being the most developed and promising of those emerging from the former Soviet bloc.
Abstract This essay discusses Isaac Babel's writings in the "Red Cavalry Stories" and how they reflect how the Russian people saw the Civil War. Babel's work also had a profound effect on Russian society then and now.
Abstract Poland is one the few transitional economies that have made a successful transition to market-based economy. This paper explores the Polish performance over the past few years.
Abstract Since the end of the Cold War, Polish organized crime has taken advantage of their country's geographical location to produce and smuggle illegal narcotics. These illegal activities are increasing in scope and impacting not only in Europe but South America and the United States as well.
Abstract This paper is on Czech entrepreneurship. With the coming enlargement of the European Union (EU) and the now certainty (barring something catastrophic between now and May 2004) of the inclusion of a group of nations with government central planning backgrounds, special emphasis is being placed on the role of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) within those countries.
Abstract The institution of slavery in the United States was a barbaric system. Without doubt, it was an institution that had its element of physical and psychological abuse and degradation. In many respects, however, it cannot be compared to the Jewish Holocaust under the Nazis. Indeed, the enormity of the Holocaust is so great that it is difficult to categorise it with other cases of mass killing or systems of oppression. This is in no way to minimise the barbarity of American slavery, but the Holocaust was, after all, the only case in history where there was the attempted destruction of an entire group of people.
Abstract The portrayal of the Russian Revolutions has at times proved so markedly different, that it is hard to believe that authors or observers are discussing the same event. This paper focuses on this discrepancy in representation, highlighting the various factors which determined the way in which 1917 has been portrayed by first-hand observers, and later, by professional historians. In a case like that of the Russian Revolutions, where the generation of ensuing scholars and interpreters of other kinds were constrained by political ideology, we will see that history became the handmaid of the totalitarian regime, particularly under Stalin and his supporters.
Abstract The post-Glasnost transition from Communism to Capitalism in Eastern Europe has presented various challenges and achievements which vary in their importance, from country to country. This paper concentrates most upon the realities of Institutional change as it is imperative to both economic life and democracy.
Introduction
Cultural and Attitudinal Factors
Military Affairs, Law and Order
Technological Factors
Promoting Capitalist Activities
Fiscal Matters
Labour
Social Welfare
Concluding Notes
References
Abstract There can be no doubt that the study of the transitional states of Eastern Europe and Russia pose an interesting case for economic analysis. The challenges that face these countries can only be understood through a synthesis of capitalist and communist tenets. This involves comparisons and contrasts between both systems. This study will forge down precisely this path, evaluating the experiences of the post-communist states. With the sheer expanse and intensity of the previous Soviet system, it will be shown that, not only has the transition from plan to market been difficult for the countries of East Europe themselves, but also for economists who try to observe progress from afar.
