This course focuses on the politics, institutions, and socio-economic structures of the Communist and Post-Communist states (mostly Central and Eastern European). It explores the models of political development and political economy, the theory and processes of democratization and economic liberalization, and problems of socio-cultural resilienceand change. The course aims to explain the rise, development and fall of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. An emphasis is placed on the role of political institutions, governmental processes, and the interactions between the government and society. This course also examines the origins of political conflict, decision-making procedures, socio-economic cleavages, and public involvement in policy making. In addition, the course evaluates the extent to which post-communist transitions became successful. In doing so, we will consider and analyze the different paths to political and economic restructuring in the post-communist block. The course concludes by making generalizations about post-communist politics, by assessing the relative strength of the factors that lead to the breakup of communism, and by looking at the pathways inaugurated by transitions in contemporary communist states.
The course will seek to provide an overview and analysis of the communist and post-communist institutions, politics, economy, culture and the problems of socio-political change. The course will have three components: first, a review of the communist system and why it failed; second, a study of the transition process; and third, an examination of the economic, political and social developments that unfolded after the transition. The focus of the course will be on the continuities between communist and post-communist experiences, and the political patterns that are currently emerging. Countries’ experiences will be viewed comparatively AND cross-nationally, as well as across time. The course will view post-communist development in the light of two major analytical perspectives. You will learn to think about the subject matter in terms of: 1) the free-markets vision, according to which post-communist states are in the process of incorporating Western institutions, and 2) the traditionalist school of thought that argues that post-communist states still have to struggle in order to adjust to liberal and democratic values of the West.
Prerequisites:
None
Learning outcomes:
To provide a fresh look on a crucial period of economic and social transformations in the history of Europe, through the lenses of new bibliographic resources and contemporary issues. What was communism? What did it mean? How resilient was this particular form of political domination?
To acquire a thorough understanding of the Eastern European Capitalism in the 20th and 21st century as to provide solid foundations for students interested in the modernization of the European continent
To explore the different dynamics at play in the constitution of post 1991 social and economic arrangements, such as corporatism, trade unionism, industrial ventures.
To explore the different dimensions of transition economy and society from the late years of communism, such as the pathway towards free markets, the revised role of the State and the internationalization of Eastern European States
To identify the main dimensions of EU integration, such as modernization, public administration reform and professional strata diversification, and their peculiar relations with the Welfare State.
To understand the new position of EECs in the world competition and the rise of Eastern European economies as dynamic emerging countries.
Method of presentation:
Lectures illustrated by examples, case studies and PPT presentations.
Required work and form of assessment:
Personal readings, midterm and final examination, oral presentations.
Grading as follows: 2 Oral Presentations 30%, Midterm Paper and Presentation 25%, Final Paper 30 %, Class Participation 15%.
Oral presentations are short case studies of 15 minutes by groups of two.
The article presentation is a critical reading of one of the articles/chapters of the session to be then discussed collectively in class.
Papers will be graded on Content, Clarity, Comprehensiveness, and Creativity.
Presentations will be graded using similar criteria: Content, Clarity, Comprehensiveness, Creativity, Peer Evaluations, and Group Participation.
1. Content: Develops and supports a central thesis. Provides a focused argument throughout the essay/talk.
2. Clarity: Writes/speaks clearly by developing a coherent, well-organized paper; arranging sentences in a logical manner; using correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar; and providing correct citations.
3. Comprehensiveness: Has reviewed the relevant literature and material, shows an in-depth understanding of the topic, and uses multiple bibliographic sources (books, journal articles, interviews, web-based information). Does not use strictly web-based sources. Able to critique differing points of view on the topic.
4. Creativity: Draws the reader/listener in and engages him/her in the topic. Makes an original contribution to the topic. Presents material in an interesting or unique way that is particularly helpful to the reader.
5. Peer Evaluations: Each student in the class will be given an opportunity to critique your presentation.
Remember that your peers are your target audience and you want to engage them in a discussion of your topic. Their evaluations will be confidential and anonymous.
6. Group Participation: The majority of your presentation will be based on the work of your group. This component of your grade, however, will be based on your group’s evaluation of your effort in developing the project. Their evaluations will be reported directly to me and will be confidential. All group members should contribute to developing the presentation.
content:
There are two sessions per week: one consecrated to the professor’s lecture of the day, the other to exercises.
Evaluation Criteria
- Papers will be graded as follows: Content, Clarity, Comprehensiveness, and Creativity. Presentations will be graded using similar criteria: Content, Clarity, Comprehensiveness, Creativity, Peer Evaluations, and Group Participation.
1. Content: Develops and supports a central thesis. Provides a focused argument throughout the essay/talk.
2. Clarity: Writes/speaks clearly by developing a coherent, well-organized paper; arranging sentences in a logical manner; using correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar; and providing correct citations.
3. Comprehensiveness: Has reviewed the relevant literature and material, shows an in-depth understanding of the topic, and uses multiple bibliographic sources (books, journal articles, interviews, web-based information). Does not use strictly web-based sources. Able to critique differing points of view on the topic.
4. Creativity: Draws the reader/listener in and engages him/her in the topic. Makes an original contribution to the topic. Presents material in an interesting or unique way that is particularly helpful to the reader.
5. Peer Evaluations: Each student in the class will be given an opportunity to critique your presentation. Remember that your peers are your target audience and you want to engage them in a discussion of your topic. Their evaluations will be confidential and anonymous.
6. Group Participation: The majority of your presentation will be based on the work of your group. This component of your grade, however, will be based on your group’s evaluation of your effort in developing the project. Their evaluations will be reported directly to me and will be confidential. All group members should contribute to developing the presentation.
23 sessions of 1.5 hours each
Section I: To the Roots of Communism in the 20th Century
Session 1: Introduction to the course
Session 2: Communism and its Collapse
This session will review the history of Communism in Europe in the second half of the 20th century. Particular attention will be brought to implicit and explicit hierarchies between the USSR and Eastern satellite states. This review will explore the reasons behind the collapse of Communism and address the main determinants of the Cold War confrontation.
• Steven L. Solnick, “The Breakdown of Hierarchies in the Soviet Union and China: A Neo-institutional Perspective,” World Politics, 48:2 (January 1996), pp. 209–238.
• Grzegorz Ekiert and Stephen E. Hanson, eds., Capitalism and Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, Cambridge University Press 2003.
• Valerie Bunce, Subversive Institutions: The Design and Destruction of Socialism and the State, Cambridge University Press, 1999,
• Solnick, Stealing the State: Control and Collapse in Soviet Institutions, Harvard University Press, 1999
Session 3: The Fall of the USSR
This session will review the demise of the Soviet Union. We will explore the issue of combined political and economic transitions and the specific historical dynamics that led to this crucial moment in European history. We will address here the implications of this event on a world and European scale.
Session 4: The fall of centrally planned economies and its implications for the post- communist transformation.
This session will address the foundations of the Socialist State-driven model and its socio-economic implications for the 20th century in Europe. Present Eastern European States built upon this model, which have not totally phased out some of the essential features of the previous model.
• Janos Kornai, The Socialist System: The Political Economy of Communism, Princeton University Press, 1992.
o Chp. 15, “The Coherence of the Socialist System,” pp. 360–379.
o Chp. 16, “The Dynamics of the Changes,” pp. 383–395.
• Timur Kuran, "Now Out of Never: The Element of Surprise in the East European Revolution of 1989," World Politics 44:1 (1991), pp. 7-48.
Session 5: Political Change, Transition, and Regime Diversity
The EECs were to endure a double transition, both political and economic. This led to profound transformations in each one of these states and exposed society to a profound upheaval and drastic reforms.
• Keith Darden and Anna Grzymala-Busse, "The Great Divide: Precommunist Schooling and Postcommunist Trajectories," World Politics 59:1 (October 2006), pp. 83-115.
• Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way, Competitive Authoritarianism: Hybrid Regimes After the Cold War, Cambridge University Press, 2010. Introduction
• M. Steven Fish, Democracy Derailed in Russia: The Failure of Open Politics. Cambridge University Press, 2005.
• Valerie Bunce, "Rethinking Recent Democratization: Lessons from the Postcommunist Experience," World Politics 55: 2 (January 2003), pp. 167-192.
Session 6: Institutions, Rules, and Corruption
The stabilization of institutional frameworks and the rule of law were among the most important goals of newly elected governments. This session will explore the importance of these reforms in light of the accession to free markets and the enduring role of corruption as a distortion to optimal resource allocation for economic and social programs.
• Alena V. Ledeneva, How Russia Really Works: The Informal Practices That Shaped Post-
o Soviet Politics and Business, Cornell University Press, 2006. Introduction, pp. 1-10
• Andrew Barnes, "Comparative Theft: Context and Choice in the Hungarian, Czech, and Russian Transformations," East European Politics and Societies 17:3 (2003), pp. 533-565.
• Vadim Volkov, “Violent Entrepreneurship in Post-Communist Russia,” Europe-Asia Studies
o 51:5 (July 1999), pp. 741–754.
Recommended
• Alena V. Ledeneva, Russia’s Economy of Favours: Blat, Networking, and Informal Exchanges, Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Session 7: The Role of Institution-building in Post-Communist Change
Institution-building was a key parameter in the light of EU accession. Eastern European countries modernized their institutions through emulation of European Union models, and benefited from extensive funding to do so. This session will explore the extent to which the European pull managed to curb salient national features and transformational dynamics.
• Anna Grzymala-Busse and Pauline Jones Luong, "Reconceptualizing the State: Lessons from Post-communism," Politics & Society 30:4 (December 2002), pp. 529-554.
• J. David Brown, John S. Earle, and Scott Gehlbach, “Helping Hand or Grabbing Hand? State Bureaucracy and Privatization Effectiveness,” American Political Science Review, 103(2) (May 2009), pp. 264–283.
• Brian D. Taylor, State Building in Putin's Russia: Policing and Coercion after Communism, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Chap. 1, “Bringing the Gun Back In: Coercion and the State” pp. 8–35.
Session 8: The Washington Consensus and the Role of International Organizations
The role of international organizations in the transformation of EEC countries has been long debated. On the one hand, they contributed to anchoring reforms to a stable framework and provided the necessary expertise to stabilize economic systems in crisis. Yet tutelage came at the cost of producing mainstream responses to complex national problems. This session will explore the main features of these interventions.
• Kokushkin, M. (2011), Transitional Societies in Eastern Europe: Moving Beyond the Washington Consensus Paradigm in Transitology. Sociology Compass, 5: 1044–1057
Session 9: Workshop: Paper presentations
Students will present a 5-7 minute presentation on the advancement of their research. Important elements that will have to be included are a detailed paper outline and a bibliographical presentation.
Session 10: Elections and Political Parties
From a single party system to a fully-fledged democracy, political systems in Eastern Europe had to adapt to insisting demands, sometimes apathy as to make democracies work. Populism has been a major reason for concern on the road to stabilization, and at times socialist-era nostalgia fuelled backtracks on the road to political and economic reforms.
• Karen Dawisha and Stephen Deets, "Political Learning in Post-Communist Elections" EastEuropean Politics and Societies 20:4 (2006), pp. 691–728.
• Valerie J. Bunce, Defeating Authoritarian Leaders in Postcommunist Countries, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Part I, pp. 3-52
Session 11: Civil Society
Civil society suffered from the disorganization of the State and economic upheavals. Figuring out how to revitalize former labor unions and citizen associations, and how to let them contribute to political change was the task of many reformers in Eastern European countries.
• Jan Kubik, "How to Study Civil Society: The State of the Art and What to Do Next," East European Politics and Societies 19:1 (2005), pp. 105–120.
• Marc Howard, "The Weakness of Post-communist Civil Society," Journal of Democracy 13:1 (January 2002), pp. 157-169.
• Graeme B. Robertson, The Politics of Protest in Hybrid Regimes: Managing Dissent in Post- Communist Russia, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
Section II – Market Stabilization and Consolidation
Session 12: Political Economy and Economic Reform
This session will present the main theoretical frameworks to understand double transitions and the interactions between markets and societies in the post-communist setting. Particular attention will be brought to transition theories and modernization models.
• Gerald M. Easter, “Politics of Revenue Extraction in Post-Communist States: Poland and Russia Compared,” Politics & Society 30:4 (December 2002), pp. 599–627.
• Hilary Appel, Tax Politics in Eastern Europe: Globalization, Regional Integration, and the Democratic Compromise, University of Michigan Press, 2011.
Session 13: The Post-Socialist Firm
The end of communism had a major impact on economic sectors. Obsolete production chains, inefficient organizational corporate models were the most important features of a system adrift. How did economic productive units adapt and transform their operations to fit the new setting? This session will explore the challenges brought about by the 1989 revolutions and the response strategies developed by these actors.
-Roger Schoenman Captains or Pirates? State-Business Relations in Post-Socialist Poland East European Politics & Societies February 2005 vol. 19 no. 1 40-75
-Claudi Morrison, “A Russian Factory Enters the Market Economy” Routledge, 2007
Session 14: Shock Therapy: Poland, Hungary and the Russia
• Timothy Frye, Building States and Markets After Communism: The Perils of Polarized Democracy, Cambridge University Press, 2010,
o Introduction, pp. 1-20
o Conclusion, pp. 244-254.
• Pauline Jones Luong and Erika Weinthal, Oil Is Not a Curse: Ownership Structure and Institutions in Soviet Successor States, Cambridge University Press, 2010
o Chp. 1-3, pp. 1-76
Session 15: The Gradualist approach: the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Russia
• Anders Aslund, How Capitalism Was Built: The Transformation of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, CUP, 2007 • p. 29-53
• Timothy Frye, "The Perils of Polarization: Economic Performance in the Postcommunist World," World Politics 54:3 (April 2002), pp. 308-337.
• Joel Hellman, "Winners Take All: The Politics of Partial Reform in Post-Communist Transitions," World Politics 50:2 (1998), pp. 203-234.
Session 16: Discussion of Student Papers
• No assigned readings
Session 17: Inequality and Social Welfare
The main feature of socialist societies was equality as an ongoing goal of political and economic success. Transitions to free markets were made at a cost, where entire population strata underwent a severe degradation of their living conditions. To what extent was this the result of gradual or too hasty reforms? What was the role of the State? And how were these externalities mitigated?
• Post-Communist Welfare Pathways. Theorizing Social Policy Transformations in Central and Eastern Europe. Edited by Alfio Cerami and Pieter Vanhuysse
• Linda J. Cook , Postcommunist Welfare States: Reform Politics in Russia and Eastern Europe, Cornell University Press, 2007.
• Sergei Guriev and Ekaterina Zhuravskaya, “(Un)Happiness in Transition,” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 23:2 (Spring 2009), pp. 143–168.
• Thomas F. Remington, The Politics of Inequality in Russia, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Chp. 1-42, pp. 1-34
Session 18: To be or not to be: the EECs, Europe and International Institutions
The accession to the EU served as the main anchor for political reforms, but not all Eastern European candidates were able to accelerate reforms so as to fit the new European template. Becoming a member of the EU opened a realm of unfathomable consequences for all EECs and demanded far-reaching reforms that sometimes clashed with the pace of transition in each of the concerned countries. This session will explore the adequacy of this new framework and the struggles of candidate countries.
• Frank Schimmelfennig, "The Community Trap: Liberal Norms, Rhetorical Action, and the
• Eastern Enlargement of the European Union," International Organization 55:1 (winter
• 2001), pp. 47-80.
• Judith Kelley, "International Actors on the Domestic Scene: Membership Conditionality and Socialization by International Institutions," International Organization 58:3 (Summer 2004), pp. 425-457.
Session 19: The New Role of the State and Public Administration
Civil officers and public administrations were crucial elements of reform albeit hard ones to implement. This session will address the complexities of State modernization and the relationship between public officers and citizenship.
• Kornai (2002). “The Role of the State in a Post-Socialist Economy”, Distinguished Lectures Series, No. 6, Leon Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management (WSPiZ), Warsaw www.tiger.edu.pl/publikacje/dist/kornai.pdf
Session 20: The Dilemma of Efficiency versus Equity in Post-Communist Societies
Is the Welfare state a possibility in newly independent Eastern European states? This session will explore popular demands for social justice and the capacity of the State and Markets to promote arrangements supporting competitivity and innovation.
• Rawi Abdelal, National Purpose in the World Economy: Post-Soviet States in Comparative Perspective, Cornell University Press, 2001.
• Frank Schimmelfennig and Ulrich Sedelmeier, "Governance by Conditionality: EU Rule Transfer to the Candidate Countries of Central and Eastern Europe," Journal of European Public Policy 11:4 (August 2004), pp. 661-679.
• Gerda Falkner, "How Pervasive are Euro-Politics? Effects of EU Membership on a New Member State," The Journal of Common Market Studies 38:2 (2000), pp. 223-50.
• Anna Grzymala-Busse and Abby Innes, "Great Expectations: The EU and Domestic Political Competition in East Central Europe" East European Politics and Societies 17:1 (2003), pp. 64-73.
Session 21: After Accession, what? The Terms of Engagement in a Europe in Crisis
The 2004 and 2007 accessions promoted EECs to the status of full-fledged members of the EU. Part of the bargain demanded sharing sovereignty and participating in the major decisions of the EU. Were EECs fit for the task? This session will explore the first decade of EU membership and major issues concerning EECs within the EU.
• Nuti (2001). “Not ‘just another accession’”, Distinguished Lectures Series, No. 3, Leon Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management (WSPiZ), Warsaw www.tiger.edu.pl/publikacje/dist/nuti.pdf
Session 22: Globalization and Catching-up in Transition Economies
This session will explore the opening of EECs to the world. The internationalization of economies and the dismantling of national borders favored transnational linkages and global strategies where Eastern European markets and firms participate more actively than ever before.
• (December 7th and 9th) Kolodko (2000a). “From Shock to Therapy…”, chapters 13 and 14, pp. 321-55. Kolodko (2003a). “Globalization and Catching-up in Emerging Market Economies”, chapter 1, pp. 3-46, in: Kolodko (2003a) (ed.), “Emerging Market Economies. Globalization and Development”.
Session 23: Financial Crisis and Eastern European Responses
The last session of our seminar will explore the far-reaching consequences of the 2008 financial crisis in Eastern Europe. The inconsistencies of the EU model have led to a profound soul-searching process that recasts the importance of the East and leads to an assessment of the accession process over the past 10 years. In the light of enduring economic recession, can Eastern Europe present novel opportunities for the future?
• Special report from the FT
Required readings:
White, Stephen and Judy Batt Central and East European. Politics: From Communism to Democracy, 2nd edition. New York: Rowman. & Littlefield Publishers.
Main recommended synthesis:
- Peter Hall, David Soskice, Varieties of Capitalism: The Institutional Foundations of Comparative Advantage, Oxford, 2001
- Barry Eichengreen, The European Economy Since 1945: Co-ordinated Capitalism and Beyond, Princeton University Press, 2007
-Sherrill Stroschein, "Ethnic Struggle, Coexistence, and Democratization in Eastern Europe"
-The Transition in Eastern Europe, Vol. 1: Country Studies University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition | April 16, 1994
-The Transition in Eastern Europe, Volume 2: Restructuring University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition | May 28, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0226056627 | 384 pages | PDF | 20.8 Mb
-Reiner Martin, Adalbert Winkler, "Real Convergence in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe" Palgrave Macmillan | English | 2009-03-17
-Daniela Gabor, "Central Banking and Financialization: A Romanian Account of how Eastern Europe became Subprime (Studies in Economic Transition)" Publisher: P.... M.... | ISBN 10: 0230276156 | 2010
-Balázs Apor, "The Sovietization of Eastern Europe: New Perspectives on the Postwar Period" New Academia Publishing | 2008 | ISBN: 0980081467 | 364 pages
-Lights Out?: Challenges Facing the Emerging Economies of Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union
By World Bank Publisher: World Bank Publications | 2010 | 112 Pages
-Rebecca Kay, "Gender, Equality and Difference During And After State Socialism (Studies in Central and Eastern Europe)"
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan | 2007 | ISBN 0230524842 | PDF | 252 pages
Brief Biography of Instructor:
Alvaro Artigas holds a double MA in Comparative Politics (Sciences-Po Paris) and Russian Studies (IMARS-EUSPB Berkeley) as well as a PhD in Political Science and Political Economy (Sciences Po-Paris). His dissertation focused on emergent countries’ foreign trade policies and business interests. He worked three years at the Wissenschaft Zentrum fur SozialForschung in Berlin as a research assistant for the European Political Science Network. In 2000-2004, he was awarded the Eiffel excellence fellowship and held an associate fellowship position at the Pontifical University of Sao Paulo (Brazil). He works as a lecturer at the Sciences Po Diploma in Paris (Paris School of International Affairs), the University of Nanterre (Paris-X), as well as the Governing the Large Metropolis Master track at Sciences-Po. He has extensive work experience with key European think tanks (Fondation Robert Schuman, Notre Europe and the Fondation pour l’Innovation Politique) as well with several Chambers of Commerce and UBIFRANCE.
David Beytelmann has a Ph.D. of the École Normale Supérieure, Lyon, in Political Philosophy and specialized in the history of European political theory, the study of political controversies in the modern era and the history of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. He has been a professor for Sciences-po (Campus Poitiers), Université de Paris X (Nanterre) and Paris I (la Sorbonne) and also worked for non-profit organizations and foundations (such as the World Social Forum, Geneva based FPH and others). He is head of the research division for a consulting firm specialized in culture and cultural institutions and projects, Agence Letroisièmepôle, located in Paris.
Special Topics: Post-Communist Transformations and Market Evolutions: A New Eastern Europe on the Rise
This course focuses on the politics, institutions, and socio-economic structures of the Communist and Post-Communist states (mostly Central and Eastern European). It explores the models of political development and political economy, the theory and processes of democratization and economic liberalization, and problems of socio-cultural resilienceand change. The course aims to explain the rise, development and fall of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. An emphasis is placed on the role of political institutions, governmental processes, and the interactions between the government and society. This course also examines the origins of political conflict, decision-making procedures, socio-economic cleavages, and public involvement in policy making. In addition, the course evaluates the extent to which post-communist transitions became successful. In doing so, we will consider and analyze the different paths to political and economic restructuring in the post-communist block. The course concludes by making generalizations about post-communist politics, by assessing the relative strength of the factors that lead to the breakup of communism, and by looking at the pathways inaugurated by transitions in contemporary communist states.
The course will seek to provide an overview and analysis of the communist and post-communist institutions, politics, economy, culture and the problems of socio-political change. The course will have three components: first, a review of the communist system and why it failed; second, a study of the transition process; and third, an examination of the economic, political and social developments that unfolded after the transition. The focus of the course will be on the continuities between communist and post-communist experiences, and the political patterns that are currently emerging. Countries’ experiences will be viewed comparatively AND cross-nationally, as well as across time. The course will view post-communist development in the light of two major analytical perspectives. You will learn to think about the subject matter in terms of: 1) the free-markets vision, according to which post-communist states are in the process of incorporating Western institutions, and 2) the traditionalist school of thought that argues that post-communist states still have to struggle in order to adjust to liberal and democratic values of the West.
None
Lectures illustrated by examples, case studies and PPT presentations.
Personal readings, midterm and final examination, oral presentations.
Grading as follows: 2 Oral Presentations 30%, Midterm Paper and Presentation 25%, Final Paper 30 %, Class Participation 15%.
Oral presentations are short case studies of 15 minutes by groups of two.
The article presentation is a critical reading of one of the articles/chapters of the session to be then discussed collectively in class.
Papers will be graded on Content, Clarity, Comprehensiveness, and Creativity.
Presentations will be graded using similar criteria: Content, Clarity, Comprehensiveness, Creativity, Peer Evaluations, and Group Participation.
1. Content: Develops and supports a central thesis. Provides a focused argument throughout the essay/talk.
2. Clarity: Writes/speaks clearly by developing a coherent, well-organized paper; arranging sentences in a logical manner; using correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar; and providing correct citations.
3. Comprehensiveness: Has reviewed the relevant literature and material, shows an in-depth understanding of the topic, and uses multiple bibliographic sources (books, journal articles, interviews, web-based information). Does not use strictly web-based sources. Able to critique differing points of view on the topic.
4. Creativity: Draws the reader/listener in and engages him/her in the topic. Makes an original contribution to the topic. Presents material in an interesting or unique way that is particularly helpful to the reader.
5. Peer Evaluations: Each student in the class will be given an opportunity to critique your presentation.
Remember that your peers are your target audience and you want to engage them in a discussion of your topic. Their evaluations will be confidential and anonymous.
6. Group Participation: The majority of your presentation will be based on the work of your group. This component of your grade, however, will be based on your group’s evaluation of your effort in developing the project. Their evaluations will be reported directly to me and will be confidential. All group members should contribute to developing the presentation.
There are two sessions per week: one consecrated to the professor’s lecture of the day, the other to exercises.
Evaluation Criteria
- Papers will be graded as follows: Content, Clarity, Comprehensiveness, and Creativity. Presentations will be graded using similar criteria: Content, Clarity, Comprehensiveness, Creativity, Peer Evaluations, and Group Participation.
1. Content: Develops and supports a central thesis. Provides a focused argument throughout the essay/talk.
2. Clarity: Writes/speaks clearly by developing a coherent, well-organized paper; arranging sentences in a logical manner; using correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar; and providing correct citations.
3. Comprehensiveness: Has reviewed the relevant literature and material, shows an in-depth understanding of the topic, and uses multiple bibliographic sources (books, journal articles, interviews, web-based information). Does not use strictly web-based sources. Able to critique differing points of view on the topic.
4. Creativity: Draws the reader/listener in and engages him/her in the topic. Makes an original contribution to the topic. Presents material in an interesting or unique way that is particularly helpful to the reader.
5. Peer Evaluations: Each student in the class will be given an opportunity to critique your presentation. Remember that your peers are your target audience and you want to engage them in a discussion of your topic. Their evaluations will be confidential and anonymous.
6. Group Participation: The majority of your presentation will be based on the work of your group. This component of your grade, however, will be based on your group’s evaluation of your effort in developing the project. Their evaluations will be reported directly to me and will be confidential. All group members should contribute to developing the presentation.
23 sessions of 1.5 hours each
Section I: To the Roots of Communism in the 20th Century
Session 1: Introduction to the course
Session 2: Communism and its Collapse
This session will review the history of Communism in Europe in the second half of the 20th century. Particular attention will be brought to implicit and explicit hierarchies between the USSR and Eastern satellite states. This review will explore the reasons behind the collapse of Communism and address the main determinants of the Cold War confrontation.
• Steven L. Solnick, “The Breakdown of Hierarchies in the Soviet Union and China: A Neo-institutional Perspective,” World Politics, 48:2 (January 1996), pp. 209–238.
• Grzegorz Ekiert and Stephen E. Hanson, eds., Capitalism and Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, Cambridge University Press 2003.
• Valerie Bunce, Subversive Institutions: The Design and Destruction of Socialism and the State, Cambridge University Press, 1999,
• Solnick, Stealing the State: Control and Collapse in Soviet Institutions, Harvard University Press, 1999
Session 3: The Fall of the USSR
This session will review the demise of the Soviet Union. We will explore the issue of combined political and economic transitions and the specific historical dynamics that led to this crucial moment in European history. We will address here the implications of this event on a world and European scale.
Session 4: The fall of centrally planned economies and its implications for the post- communist transformation.
This session will address the foundations of the Socialist State-driven model and its socio-economic implications for the 20th century in Europe. Present Eastern European States built upon this model, which have not totally phased out some of the essential features of the previous model.
• Janos Kornai, The Socialist System: The Political Economy of Communism, Princeton University Press, 1992.
o Chp. 15, “The Coherence of the Socialist System,” pp. 360–379.
o Chp. 16, “The Dynamics of the Changes,” pp. 383–395.
• Timur Kuran, "Now Out of Never: The Element of Surprise in the East European Revolution of 1989," World Politics 44:1 (1991), pp. 7-48.
Session 5: Political Change, Transition, and Regime Diversity
The EECs were to endure a double transition, both political and economic. This led to profound transformations in each one of these states and exposed society to a profound upheaval and drastic reforms.
• Keith Darden and Anna Grzymala-Busse, "The Great Divide: Precommunist Schooling and Postcommunist Trajectories," World Politics 59:1 (October 2006), pp. 83-115.
• Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way, Competitive Authoritarianism: Hybrid Regimes After the Cold War, Cambridge University Press, 2010. Introduction
• M. Steven Fish, Democracy Derailed in Russia: The Failure of Open Politics. Cambridge University Press, 2005.
• Valerie Bunce, "Rethinking Recent Democratization: Lessons from the Postcommunist Experience," World Politics 55: 2 (January 2003), pp. 167-192.
Session 6: Institutions, Rules, and Corruption
The stabilization of institutional frameworks and the rule of law were among the most important goals of newly elected governments. This session will explore the importance of these reforms in light of the accession to free markets and the enduring role of corruption as a distortion to optimal resource allocation for economic and social programs.
• Alena V. Ledeneva, How Russia Really Works: The Informal Practices That Shaped Post-
o Soviet Politics and Business, Cornell University Press, 2006. Introduction, pp. 1-10
• Andrew Barnes, "Comparative Theft: Context and Choice in the Hungarian, Czech, and Russian Transformations," East European Politics and Societies 17:3 (2003), pp. 533-565.
• Vadim Volkov, “Violent Entrepreneurship in Post-Communist Russia,” Europe-Asia Studies
o 51:5 (July 1999), pp. 741–754.
Recommended
• Alena V. Ledeneva, Russia’s Economy of Favours: Blat, Networking, and Informal Exchanges, Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Session 7: The Role of Institution-building in Post-Communist Change
Institution-building was a key parameter in the light of EU accession. Eastern European countries modernized their institutions through emulation of European Union models, and benefited from extensive funding to do so. This session will explore the extent to which the European pull managed to curb salient national features and transformational dynamics.
• Anna Grzymala-Busse and Pauline Jones Luong, "Reconceptualizing the State: Lessons from Post-communism," Politics & Society 30:4 (December 2002), pp. 529-554.
• J. David Brown, John S. Earle, and Scott Gehlbach, “Helping Hand or Grabbing Hand? State Bureaucracy and Privatization Effectiveness,” American Political Science Review, 103(2) (May 2009), pp. 264–283.
• Brian D. Taylor, State Building in Putin's Russia: Policing and Coercion after Communism, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Chap. 1, “Bringing the Gun Back In: Coercion and the State” pp. 8–35.
Session 8: The Washington Consensus and the Role of International Organizations
The role of international organizations in the transformation of EEC countries has been long debated. On the one hand, they contributed to anchoring reforms to a stable framework and provided the necessary expertise to stabilize economic systems in crisis. Yet tutelage came at the cost of producing mainstream responses to complex national problems. This session will explore the main features of these interventions.
• Kokushkin, M. (2011), Transitional Societies in Eastern Europe: Moving Beyond the Washington Consensus Paradigm in Transitology. Sociology Compass, 5: 1044–1057
Session 9: Workshop: Paper presentations
Students will present a 5-7 minute presentation on the advancement of their research. Important elements that will have to be included are a detailed paper outline and a bibliographical presentation.
Session 10: Elections and Political Parties
From a single party system to a fully-fledged democracy, political systems in Eastern Europe had to adapt to insisting demands, sometimes apathy as to make democracies work. Populism has been a major reason for concern on the road to stabilization, and at times socialist-era nostalgia fuelled backtracks on the road to political and economic reforms.
• Karen Dawisha and Stephen Deets, "Political Learning in Post-Communist Elections" EastEuropean Politics and Societies 20:4 (2006), pp. 691–728.
• Valerie J. Bunce, Defeating Authoritarian Leaders in Postcommunist Countries, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Part I, pp. 3-52
Session 11: Civil Society
Civil society suffered from the disorganization of the State and economic upheavals. Figuring out how to revitalize former labor unions and citizen associations, and how to let them contribute to political change was the task of many reformers in Eastern European countries.
• Jan Kubik, "How to Study Civil Society: The State of the Art and What to Do Next," East European Politics and Societies 19:1 (2005), pp. 105–120.
• Marc Howard, "The Weakness of Post-communist Civil Society," Journal of Democracy 13:1 (January 2002), pp. 157-169.
• Graeme B. Robertson, The Politics of Protest in Hybrid Regimes: Managing Dissent in Post- Communist Russia, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
Section II – Market Stabilization and Consolidation
Session 12: Political Economy and Economic Reform
This session will present the main theoretical frameworks to understand double transitions and the interactions between markets and societies in the post-communist setting. Particular attention will be brought to transition theories and modernization models.
• Gerald M. Easter, “Politics of Revenue Extraction in Post-Communist States: Poland and Russia Compared,” Politics & Society 30:4 (December 2002), pp. 599–627.
• Hilary Appel, Tax Politics in Eastern Europe: Globalization, Regional Integration, and the Democratic Compromise, University of Michigan Press, 2011.
Session 13: The Post-Socialist Firm
The end of communism had a major impact on economic sectors. Obsolete production chains, inefficient organizational corporate models were the most important features of a system adrift. How did economic productive units adapt and transform their operations to fit the new setting? This session will explore the challenges brought about by the 1989 revolutions and the response strategies developed by these actors.
-Roger Schoenman Captains or Pirates? State-Business Relations in Post-Socialist Poland East European Politics & Societies February 2005 vol. 19 no. 1 40-75
-Claudi Morrison, “A Russian Factory Enters the Market Economy” Routledge, 2007
Session 14: Shock Therapy: Poland, Hungary and the Russia
• Timothy Frye, Building States and Markets After Communism: The Perils of Polarized Democracy, Cambridge University Press, 2010,
o Introduction, pp. 1-20
o Conclusion, pp. 244-254.
• Pauline Jones Luong and Erika Weinthal, Oil Is Not a Curse: Ownership Structure and Institutions in Soviet Successor States, Cambridge University Press, 2010
o Chp. 1-3, pp. 1-76
Session 15: The Gradualist approach: the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Russia
• Anders Aslund, How Capitalism Was Built: The Transformation of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, CUP, 2007 • p. 29-53
• Timothy Frye, "The Perils of Polarization: Economic Performance in the Postcommunist World," World Politics 54:3 (April 2002), pp. 308-337.
• Joel Hellman, "Winners Take All: The Politics of Partial Reform in Post-Communist Transitions," World Politics 50:2 (1998), pp. 203-234.
Session 16: Discussion of Student Papers
• No assigned readings
Session 17: Inequality and Social Welfare
The main feature of socialist societies was equality as an ongoing goal of political and economic success. Transitions to free markets were made at a cost, where entire population strata underwent a severe degradation of their living conditions. To what extent was this the result of gradual or too hasty reforms? What was the role of the State? And how were these externalities mitigated?
• Post-Communist Welfare Pathways. Theorizing Social Policy Transformations in Central and Eastern Europe. Edited by Alfio Cerami and Pieter Vanhuysse
• Linda J. Cook , Postcommunist Welfare States: Reform Politics in Russia and Eastern Europe, Cornell University Press, 2007.
• Sergei Guriev and Ekaterina Zhuravskaya, “(Un)Happiness in Transition,” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 23:2 (Spring 2009), pp. 143–168.
• Thomas F. Remington, The Politics of Inequality in Russia, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Chp. 1-42, pp. 1-34
Session 18: To be or not to be: the EECs, Europe and International Institutions
The accession to the EU served as the main anchor for political reforms, but not all Eastern European candidates were able to accelerate reforms so as to fit the new European template. Becoming a member of the EU opened a realm of unfathomable consequences for all EECs and demanded far-reaching reforms that sometimes clashed with the pace of transition in each of the concerned countries. This session will explore the adequacy of this new framework and the struggles of candidate countries.
• Frank Schimmelfennig, "The Community Trap: Liberal Norms, Rhetorical Action, and the
• Eastern Enlargement of the European Union," International Organization 55:1 (winter
• 2001), pp. 47-80.
• Judith Kelley, "International Actors on the Domestic Scene: Membership Conditionality and Socialization by International Institutions," International Organization 58:3 (Summer 2004), pp. 425-457.
Session 19: The New Role of the State and Public Administration
Civil officers and public administrations were crucial elements of reform albeit hard ones to implement. This session will address the complexities of State modernization and the relationship between public officers and citizenship.
• Kornai (2002). “The Role of the State in a Post-Socialist Economy”, Distinguished Lectures Series, No. 6, Leon Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management (WSPiZ), Warsaw www.tiger.edu.pl/publikacje/dist/kornai.pdf
Session 20: The Dilemma of Efficiency versus Equity in Post-Communist Societies
Is the Welfare state a possibility in newly independent Eastern European states? This session will explore popular demands for social justice and the capacity of the State and Markets to promote arrangements supporting competitivity and innovation.
• Rawi Abdelal, National Purpose in the World Economy: Post-Soviet States in Comparative Perspective, Cornell University Press, 2001.
• Frank Schimmelfennig and Ulrich Sedelmeier, "Governance by Conditionality: EU Rule Transfer to the Candidate Countries of Central and Eastern Europe," Journal of European Public Policy 11:4 (August 2004), pp. 661-679.
• Gerda Falkner, "How Pervasive are Euro-Politics? Effects of EU Membership on a New Member State," The Journal of Common Market Studies 38:2 (2000), pp. 223-50.
• Anna Grzymala-Busse and Abby Innes, "Great Expectations: The EU and Domestic Political Competition in East Central Europe" East European Politics and Societies 17:1 (2003), pp. 64-73.
Session 21: After Accession, what? The Terms of Engagement in a Europe in Crisis
The 2004 and 2007 accessions promoted EECs to the status of full-fledged members of the EU. Part of the bargain demanded sharing sovereignty and participating in the major decisions of the EU. Were EECs fit for the task? This session will explore the first decade of EU membership and major issues concerning EECs within the EU.
• Nuti (2001). “Not ‘just another accession’”, Distinguished Lectures Series, No. 3, Leon Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management (WSPiZ), Warsaw www.tiger.edu.pl/publikacje/dist/nuti.pdf
Session 22: Globalization and Catching-up in Transition Economies
This session will explore the opening of EECs to the world. The internationalization of economies and the dismantling of national borders favored transnational linkages and global strategies where Eastern European markets and firms participate more actively than ever before.
• (December 7th and 9th) Kolodko (2000a). “From Shock to Therapy…”, chapters 13 and 14, pp. 321-55. Kolodko (2003a). “Globalization and Catching-up in Emerging Market Economies”, chapter 1, pp. 3-46, in: Kolodko (2003a) (ed.), “Emerging Market Economies. Globalization and Development”.
Session 23: Financial Crisis and Eastern European Responses
The last session of our seminar will explore the far-reaching consequences of the 2008 financial crisis in Eastern Europe. The inconsistencies of the EU model have led to a profound soul-searching process that recasts the importance of the East and leads to an assessment of the accession process over the past 10 years. In the light of enduring economic recession, can Eastern Europe present novel opportunities for the future?
• Special report from the FT
White, Stephen and Judy Batt Central and East European. Politics: From Communism to Democracy, 2nd edition. New York: Rowman. & Littlefield Publishers.
Main recommended synthesis:
- Peter Hall, David Soskice, Varieties of Capitalism: The Institutional Foundations of Comparative Advantage, Oxford, 2001
- Barry Eichengreen, The European Economy Since 1945: Co-ordinated Capitalism and Beyond, Princeton University Press, 2007
-Sherrill Stroschein, "Ethnic Struggle, Coexistence, and Democratization in Eastern Europe"
-The Transition in Eastern Europe, Vol. 1: Country Studies University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition | April 16, 1994
-The Transition in Eastern Europe, Volume 2: Restructuring University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition | May 28, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0226056627 | 384 pages | PDF | 20.8 Mb
-Reiner Martin, Adalbert Winkler, "Real Convergence in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe" Palgrave Macmillan | English | 2009-03-17
-Daniela Gabor, "Central Banking and Financialization: A Romanian Account of how Eastern Europe became Subprime (Studies in Economic Transition)" Publisher: P.... M.... | ISBN 10: 0230276156 | 2010
-Balázs Apor, "The Sovietization of Eastern Europe: New Perspectives on the Postwar Period" New Academia Publishing | 2008 | ISBN: 0980081467 | 364 pages
-Lights Out?: Challenges Facing the Emerging Economies of Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union
By World Bank Publisher: World Bank Publications | 2010 | 112 Pages
-Rebecca Kay, "Gender, Equality and Difference During And After State Socialism (Studies in Central and Eastern Europe)"
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan | 2007 | ISBN 0230524842 | PDF | 252 pages
Alvaro Artigas holds a double MA in Comparative Politics (Sciences-Po Paris) and Russian Studies (IMARS-EUSPB Berkeley) as well as a PhD in Political Science and Political Economy (Sciences Po-Paris). His dissertation focused on emergent countries’ foreign trade policies and business interests. He worked three years at the Wissenschaft Zentrum fur SozialForschung in Berlin as a research assistant for the European Political Science Network. In 2000-2004, he was awarded the Eiffel excellence fellowship and held an associate fellowship position at the Pontifical University of Sao Paulo (Brazil). He works as a lecturer at the Sciences Po Diploma in Paris (Paris School of International Affairs), the University of Nanterre (Paris-X), as well as the Governing the Large Metropolis Master track at Sciences-Po. He has extensive work experience with key European think tanks (Fondation Robert Schuman, Notre Europe and the Fondation pour l’Innovation Politique) as well with several Chambers of Commerce and UBIFRANCE.
David Beytelmann has a Ph.D. of the École Normale Supérieure, Lyon, in Political Philosophy and specialized in the history of European political theory, the study of political controversies in the modern era and the history of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. He has been a professor for Sciences-po (Campus Poitiers), Université de Paris X (Nanterre) and Paris I (la Sorbonne) and also worked for non-profit organizations and foundations (such as the World Social Forum, Geneva based FPH and others). He is head of the research division for a consulting firm specialized in culture and cultural institutions and projects, Agence Letroisièmepôle, located in Paris.