The Human Geography Of East-central Europe (routledge Studies In Human Geography)

111 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101 1 2 311 4 5 6 7 8 9 2011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4011 1 2 3 4 4511 4611 The Human Geography of East Central Europe The Human Geography of East Central Europe examines the geography of the transition economies that were not formerly part of the Soviet Union: Albania, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, The Czech Republic, East Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Yugoslavia. There is a thematic treatment beginning with the landscape and historical background, which moves on to the social and economic geography (industry, agriculture and infrastructure) and to issues concerning regional development and environmental protection. The book is all about the transitions that have followed the collapse of the communist system. In political terms this means the development of civil society, based on pluralism, and the changed territorial basis with the collapse of the federations of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. The social geography covers demography and ethnic relations against a background of stress arising from high unemployment and low incomes. Industrial restructuring depends heavily on foreign direct investment, while agricultural modernisation is constrained by the social importance attached to small family farms. The overhaul of the infrastructure is replacing links with the Former Soviet Union by Europe-wide transport and energy systems; reflecting the changing trade relationships and strong desire for EU membership among the candidate countries. Regional variations reflect the discrimination of investors and here the poverty problems of the southeast European countries is potentially destabilising, despite the generally modest environmental problems and the climatic advantages which boost the potentials for agriculture and tourism. The book highlights the problems of transition which have been most evident through the ethnic tensions of the Balkans. However, the change in government in Yugoslavia points to a consensus in favour of a single Europe and is a step away from the ‘third way’ syndrome: an existence separate from both Soviet-style communism and a capitalism rooted in the EU. Ethnic tolerance is widely seen as the only way forward and a spate of measures to help the states of southeastern Europe gives some ground for optimism that the gap can be reduced. The stark question of democracy versus authoritarianism has to an extent been resolved, but politics will remain volatile as long as there are large numbers of poor people with no optimism over their future prospects. David Turnock is a Reader in Geography at the University of Leicester. For a set of additional references, a list of books published since 1989 (arranged by country) and a list of websites, related to the material covered in this book, please go to the following website: www.reference.routledge.com/research. Then click on the subject line for ‘Environment & Society’ series, then choose the link to the ‘Routledge Studies in Human Geography series’ and then click on the links to the extra material, which are beside the book’s title. 111 Routledge Studies in Human Geography 011 111 0111 0111 This series provides a forum for innovative, vibrant, and critical debate within Human Geography. Titles reflect the wealth of research which is taking place in this diverse and ever-expanding field. Contributions are drawn from the main sub-disciplines and from innovative areas of work which have no particular subdisciplinary allegiances. 1 A Geography of Islands Small island insularity Stephen A. Royle 2 Citizenships, Contingency and the Countryside Rights, culture, land and the environment Gavin Parker 3 The Differentiated Countryside T. Marsden, J. Murdoch, P. Lowe, N. Ward and A. Taylor 4 The Human Geography of East Central Europe David T