The Left Transformed in Post-Communist Societies

The Cases of East-Central Europe, Russia, and Ukraine

Contributions by Thomas A. Baylis, Algis Krupavicius, Luke March, Diana Morlang, Andrew Wilson Edited by Jane Leftwich Curry, Joan Barth Urban

Not available to order

Publication date:

05 June 2003

Length of book:

304 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9780742526631

One of the most unexpected outcomes of the Soviet bloc's transition out of communism has been the divergent but important paths followed by once ruling communist parties. In Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania those parties transformed themselves into pro-Western free market center leftists who have won elections and formed governing coalitions periodically since the early 1990s. The result has been former communists leading their countries into NATO and the EU even as their conservative opponents continue to condemn them for their communist past. No less surprising has been the ability of anti-Western neo-Leninist communist parties in Russia and Ukraine to win sizable pluralities of votes in free competitive elections. Their very strength has contributed to blocking genuine democratic alternation of power. By employing a unique cross-regional comparative framework The Left Transformed explores the divergent trajectories of ex-ruling communist parties in key countries of the former Soviet Empire. In-depth interviews, party presses and primary documents, and national election data provide a foundation for the most up-to-date examination of party transition, organization, ideology, and electoral fortunes through late 2002. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in contemporary history, political parties, or comparative government in Eastern Europe and Russia.
This new volume edited by Jane Curry and Joan Urban adds to a growing body of research by offering case studies of the Polish, Hungarian, Lithuanian, East German, Russian, and Ukrainian communist party organizations within a broader social and political context of their respective countries.