Economic-union Books

freedom and rights union in the world

I read with great interest; a very concise summary, most recommendable overview of historical development and scope of EU industrial safety control measures.

A historically informed, highly authoritative exploration of the negotiations that led to the Treaty on European Union, "The Road to Maastricht" significantly contributes to our understanding of the process of European economic integration. By highlighting the role of the structure of beliefs of the various participants, both individuals and institutions, in determining the ultimate outcome of the intergovernmental negotiations, the authors underscore the notion that the Maastricht treaty was the outcome of political elitism to the seeming detriment of democratic polity. Opposition to the ratification of the treaty in France and Denmark demonstrated the diminution of the so-called European permissive consensus: political elites no longer held sway over a Europe which was governed for four decades from the top.

The key actors were themselves straitjacketed by the dynamics of the intergovernmental negotiations. Debate, according to the authors, was managed in such a way that negotiating positions agreed "at the top" would not be undermined. Criticism was constrained by the prospect of exclusion in the policy process, and influence in the negotiations depended on toeing the line established by the executive elite, the authors contend. Most telling in this regard was a quotation in the book from Erik Hoffmeyer, Danish Central Bank governor at the time of the negotiations: "It would be wonderful if I could break free by yelling like the boy, Oskar, in Gunther Grass's Tin Drum or write like one of the favorite authors of my youth, Voltaire, who so effectively demolished the hypocrisy and stupidity of the conventional wisdom of his age in the four days it took him to write Candide. But I can do neither."

Obviously, the outcome of the negotiations was a set of compromises with long-term implications for the political and economic milieu of the Continent. The treaty deferred a number of critical issues for later resolution, such as the requirements of political union for a sustainable European union. Whether European political union will be decisively addressed by future agreements, given the limbo that the European Constitution is currently in, remains to be seen.

This absorbing book should fascinate anyone interested in the fate of the countries and people who were formerly part of the U.S.S.R. The book not only includes a wealth of detailed economic information about many of the systems in the Republic of Georgia, e.g. higher education, banking, and specific industries such as steel and wine production. It also paints a vivid picture of some of the people who find themselves in the position of living in a place with living standards and economic security far lower than they were before the tumult of the late twentieth centry that transformed this small place into a country. While Georgia is blessed with rich natural resources, its pre and post-communist legacies have not eqipped its citizens with knowledge and skills to leverage these resources. Furthermore, corruption so permeates all aspects of infrastructure that it appears to be just a part of standard operations. While these realities were known before the publication of this book, the book presents intriguing details and depth developed over the period of time the author lived in Georgia, working and advising the government on economic policy.

This important book should also be read by anyone trying to offer assistance to other governments or systems, such as people working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) set up to render assistance to transitioning or developing countries, the U.S. State Department, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The book is also pertinent for students of macroeconomics; it offers much information abou the current case of the Republic of Georgia, with implications for other economies, as well.

The most recent book I read on this topic prior to the publication of this work was "Kremlin Rising: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the End of Revolution" by Baker and Glasser (2005). MacPhee's book offers another poignant addition to the body of work that has documented the situation in the former U.S.S.R.

General description
`Russia after the Cold War' is a detailed yet accessible overview of the modern day Russia in search for its new identity, and the social, economic and political dilemmas it faces in its pursuit.

Positive aspects
`Russia after the Cold War' has an excellent introductory chapter as a general background to the subject. The book covers a wide range of relevant issues ranging form from political culture and public opinion to Russia's relations with China and Japan, covering political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life in Soviet and present day Russia. The authors look into complex subjects and debates such models of transition and democratisation. The text is written by a number of distinguished academics in various fields discussed, such as Richard Sawka (on Russian nationalism and democratisation) and Mark Galeotti (on crime, corruption and the law). Each chapter is very well written and has a definite structure: `Introduction' provides a good background, `Conclusion' sums up ideas. Each chapter is full of facts, data, statistics, charts and tables, while good use of maps, boxes and bullet points illustrating ideas, reviewing main concepts and key personalities enhance its reader-friendliness. Although each chapter is written by a different author, it is easy for the reader to read on from one chapter to the next. The balance between issues discussed is impressive. Many viewpoints are put forward in a critical, yet objective way.

Negative aspects
While `Russia after the Cold War' does a good job both describing and explaining events with a view from the top, and almost totally ignores a perspective from the bottom of the social ladder. More individual case studies could have been included - individuals, small enterprises. The book lacks illustrations, so a beginner in the subject (who the book is primarily intended for) may finish reading without being familiar with any of the faces in the life of Russia. The text also lacks a comparative perspective. Like many other texts in the field it needs to be updated more regularly to take into account more often to take into account recent developments in Russia and Former Soviet Union, such as Putin's presidency.

Conclusion
`Russia after the Cold War' is ideal for anybody interested in the subject of modern day Russia. While providing a comprehensive coverage of main issues and debates, it does so in accessible and lively style requiring no prior knowledge in the topic, though the text could benefit from more perspectives and illustrations.

Elena Zubkova has written a psychological and social profile of Russian society in the twelve years following the end of World War II based on public opinion. As the sub-title aptly suggests, the public mood incased in a barracks mentality hoped for liberalization of government policy, economic reform, the end of food rationing, and perhaps even the abolishment of the collective farm system. Instead, Russian society was met with famine, repression of religion, any hopes of a democratic free market system, and a muffling of literary intellectuals and disappointment. Written chronologically, Zubkova gauges public opinion in its desire for reform from the years immediately following the war until the so-called "Thaw" following the death of Joseph Stalin. The author concludes a constant tug-of-war existed between the government elites, who carefully took into account public opinion and, an insecure society afraid to demand reforms outside the realm of existing socialist policy. The result was a string of what the author refers to as "missed opportunities" (p. 204).                 The author, who earned her PhD at the Institute of Russian History, utilizes a social history approach sprinkled with psychohistory methodologies. Quantitative statistics and economic analysis also plays a vital role in her research. The bulk of Zubkova's evidence, however, comes from the Central Committee Archive in the form of letters and correspondence voicing the public mood. In addition, memoirs, diaries, literary fiction, and interviews are consulted. The result is a comparatively diverse view reminiscent of Sheila Fitzpatrick's work of the 1920's Russian Peasant (Stalin's Peasants, [1994], See my Amazon review).                 In the first part of the book, "Strategies of Survival," Zubkova describes the utter devastation of the Russian countryside and the influx of returning war veterans juxtaposed with masses of displaced persons hoping to salvage worn-torn lives and begin a better future. As with the Great War proceeding, the war became the most monumental experience of a whole generation. It created a duality of what the author calls a "spirit of freedom" mixed with an attitude of "us and them" (p. 19). Finding work, adequate housing and food became immediate problems on an enormous scale and quickly replaced illusionary post-war expectations.                 Part II, "The Illusion of Liberalization" reveals the first appearance of missed opportunities. Zubkova describes how public opinion cried out for the abolishment of the collective farm system and asked why when our people are starving is the government exporting food abroad. Religion, which had been manipulated by the regime for its own purposes, was not gradually being squelched, while intellectuals examined ideas for economic and social reform. Interestingly, one suggestion called for a variance of the free market system only to have the idea deemed subversive towards socialist ideology.                 The third part, "Repression," captures the descent and resistance between 1947 and 1953. Zubkova demonstrates that immediately following the war, Russian society was still encapsulated within a mindset of sacrifice. They revered Stalin as the hero of the Great Patriotic War and justified his allowing the country to sink into famine as total ignorance to the situation of "he knows what he is doing" attitude. As the author explains, the gulf between the war and peacetime began to widen by 1947. Resistance among the scholarly community and youth groups began to materialize. The regime answered with increased arrests and exiles to GULAG, which the author clearly illustrates with disturbing figures.                 The final part of the book examines "The Thaw." Stalin's death revealed to the masses that he was all too human and caused panic and uncertainty for the future. Soon, however, a new public consciousness emerged, absorbed in literature and the inclination for an open society. Zubkova argues, this period of euphoria was short-lived, however, as the GULAG system, expressed in the pen of Alexander Solzhenitsyn, revealed the true nature of Stalinism leading to the creation of the "cult of personality" and the duality of Stalin's persona.                 As Zubkova clearly shows, the war and Stalin evidently left an indelible mark of neuroticism on Russian society. How could the man who led his country to victory over the fascist threat have become the man Khrushchev and others revealed him to be? Zubkova points out, however, as with past generations; the generation of 1945 had historical presidents. This legacy was grounded in hate; an historical emotion that would have to be overcome before the proverbial tug-of-war would end. All-in-all, a fine book, and highly recommended.

Examining the key challenges confronting Russia and Eastern Europe, this multidisciplinary volume considers the constitutional, political, economic, security, and national identity issues facing these post-communist societies.

Drawing upon both theory and case studies informed by newly available primary sources, leading U.S. and Russian specialists provide a comprehensive balance sheet of the achievements and costs of the ongoing economic and political transformation. They also examine the prospects for a thriving civil society and for the region's integration into European and global economic and security institutions.

Annotated with extensive Notes. Includes Index.

The authors are both professors at Middlebury College.

Westview Press; 1996. 349 pp.

I was interested in Russia and ignorant of economics. The author is willing to let people like me join in, offering basic but not patronising summaries of the main econonomic concepts. Full of entertaining anecdotes as well as rigorous statistics, this book is the best place I know to start understanding how the USSR turned into today's Russia. Maladyets!

If you plan to start exporting? Then this book is a must!

this book has really helped me in my research about the political situtation in russia. it will benefit any other student who has to do a research report on this topic.