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.

Tags:transitional, economies

Abstract
This paper explains why economic development was such a crucial question in Eastern Europe during the period 1918-1939. The three countries discussed are Hungary, Poland, and Romania.

Tags:EUROPEAN STUDIES (HISTORY, CULTURE) / EASTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA, development eastern europe

Abstract
This paper discusses the cultural, political, and social divisiveness that have resulted from a paucity of central governmental services in some of the new nations in Eastern Europe and provides an analysis of the causes for the violent confrontations that have taken place in the recent past.

From the Paper
"The breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in a number of newly independent nations, whose borders were frequently based on old geopolitical lines without regard for the ethnically based demographics involved. Without a central government in place in many of these regions of Eastern Europe, basic public services have failed, economies have faltered or collapsed and wars have broken out between ethnic factions within these countries."

Tags:bosnia, chechen, cleansing, croatia, ethnic, genocide, kosovo, macedonia, minorities, nato, russia, serbia, yugoslavia

Abstract
This paper analyzes Georgia in the context of Eastern Europe, through an assessment of hot spots in the region, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Ajaristan, and then within the context of Georgia's involvement with Romania, Poland and Bulgaria. The paper attempts to determine the role that Poland, Romania and Bulgaria will play in the independent development and stabilization of Georgia, following Russia's recognition of Georgia's contested regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as independent nations. The paper includes a color map of Georgia.

Outline:
Georgian Hot Spots
Attitude of Poland, Romania and Bulgaria to Georgia
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Some believe that the actions of Russia including the most recent invasion in 2008 are a concerted effort on her part to destabilize the nation and allow it to voluntarily reassert itself as a protectorate of Russia. More diplomatic methods, such as Georgia's entrance in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) a loose organization of former Soviet nations including Russia seems not to have been enough for Russia in the long term, especially as Georgia increasingly flirts with rival social and economic interests such as asking for and achieving support from future European Union members Poland, Romania and Bulgaria for sponsorship and support for entrance into the EU, an organization that mirrors Russian desires for its own coalition organization the CIS, of which Georgia is a part."

Tags:Abkhazia, South, Ossetia, Ajaristan, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria

Abstract
This study will evaluate 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.

Abstract
The paper relates that the privileged minority exercises total control over the majority in Marxism, and the majority in Marxism have no property or legal rights. The paper argues that Talmudic Judaism is the founder of the collectivism that is found in modern Marxism. The paper asserts that there is no ideological, philosophical or ethical conflict when it comes to understanding both Judaism and Marxism, and what is important to note though is the Rabbinical descent of Karl Marx. The paper discusses how many believe that the Talmud is the foundation of Marxist writing and specifically Das Kapital ("Socialism and Marxism").

From the Paper
"The privileged minority exercises total control over the majority in Marxism. The majority in Marxism have no property or legal rights. Talmudic Judaism is the founder of the collectivism that is found in modern Marxism. There is no ideological, philosophical or ethical conflict when it comes to understanding both Judaism and Marxism. What is important to note though is the Rabbinical descent of Karl Marx. Many believe that the Talmud is the foundation of Marxist writing and specifically Das Kapital ("Socialism and Marxism"). Critics of Jews and hate-mongers of Jews believe that Karl Marx..."

Tags:jews, zionist, marxism

Abstract
This paper explains that, after the collapse of the once all-powerful communist system in the Soviet Union in 1991, the natural progression seemed to be the prompt absorption of Russia into Europe; however, despite Russia's attempt to adopt a central government, the enlargement of negotiations with the European Union and the fact that most Russians want this integration, it hasn't happened. The author points out that geography is a major reason because (1) Russia, the world's largest country and more than twice the size of the entire continent of Europe, is seen by the European countries to be overpowering and (2) the border countries of eastern Europe--Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Poland-are now strongly anti-communist. The paper contends that the most important reason that this merger has not yet happened is because of (1) the difference in normative values, including psychological characteristics, behavioral patterns and cultural orientations, and of (2) Europe's remaining conception of Russia as an intimidating military "superpower".

From the Paper
"The security issue is two-fold, as well. In fact, there is a growing apprehension in Russia that Europe may come to dominate Russia economically, and may exclude it from the life of Europe and deny Russia access to Eastern Europe and former parts of the USSR, and that a new "encirclement of the Motherland" may start forming. These worries are not limited to the extremist camp and are spreading through the entire establishment of the Russian Federation. Many believe that this will lead to a new division of the continent, which is dangerous to peace and Russian development."

Tags:communist, security, nuclear, resources, geography

Abstract
This paper examines how, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States has struggled to develop and to articulate a comprehensive and coherent foreign policy toward the fifteen states that have taken its place. It analyzes the relationships between the different presidents of both countries, as well as their different policies, and attempts to identify some of the foreign policy initiatives and strategies that the United States should consider adopting towards Russia over the course of the next few years.

Outline
The Collapse and the Gorbachev Years
The Yeltsin Regime
The Current State of Affairs
Struggles of the "New" Russia
Russia and the U.S.: Future Policy Directions and Implications

From the Paper
"Both the United States and the Soviet Union must share the responsibility for the start and continuation of the Cold War in the period between 1945 and 1963. During World War II, the U.S. and the Soviets were allies committed to the defeat of mutual enemies - Japan and Germany. At the end of World War II, as the Allies struggled to reconfigure the European polity and establish a new order in the East, the interests of the Soviet Union and the United States came into direct collision. For western leaders and their diplomats, World War II had a successful but hardly "neat" ending; too many questions were left unanswered, such as the future of Poland and Germany, which had been opened at Yalta and Potsdam but left unresolved (Kennedy, 1987; Keohane, 1984)."

Tags:cold, war, gorbchev, yeltsin, eastern, europe, putin

Abstract
This paper examines the factors that have contributed to the election of the same political party in Russia since the fall of Communism. Russia has been in an economic depression since the fall of the Soviet Union, yet the same party is re-elected through democratic vote. The reasons for this puzzling outcome are discussed in this paper and identified as using democracy to purge the conservative communists of their rank, old elites regaining state control and loyalty of those counting the votes. Each factor is discussed in great detail along with its contribution and impact on the electoral outcome. This paper is ideal for anyone, from a Russian politics expert to a curious novice.

From the Paper
"Mikhail Gorbachev, along with the Soviet leaders was the first to introduce semi competitive elections into the USSR and then later Russia. Although elections are a focal point of a democracy, they were not initiated by Gorbachev for this use. "The goal of these elections was to purge the conservative ranks of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) from their positions of power within state structures as a way to liberate these state institutions and thereby make them available as instruments by executing Gorbachev's economic reforms" (McFaul and Petrov, 24). The existing powers of the Soviet Union at the time of the introduction of democracy were all communists, who held high political ranks. In order for Gorbachev to implement his reformation of the economy, these political figures needed to be removed from their ranks, otherwise there would be great opposition to the changes planned. When these leaders were removed, the state organizations were free from communist control and could be used in any way that Gorbachev desired."

Tags:authoritative, campaigns, communism, communists, competative, control, cpsu, democracy, depression, eastern, economic, elections, electoral, elites, europe, gorbachev, history, kramlin, leaders, power, process, putin, rank, russia, russian, soviet, state, studies, union, ussr, voters

Abstract
This paper addresses the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

Tags:EUROPEAN STUDIES (HISTORY, CULTURE) / EASTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA, the inevitable fall