An Introduction to Post-Communist Bulgaria by Emil Giatzidis (review)

Abstract

120 SEER, 82, I, 2004 groups and achieving a measure of stability lacking in the El'tsin years, although the degree of this success is uncertain. According to Graham, Russia's disintegration is now unlikely, but equally unlikely is the supercentralization that Putin is trying to achieve. Despite Putin's dynamic appearance and his attacks on the oligarchs and the regional leaders, both Graham and Shevtsova think that there is not much to choose between El'tsin's and Putin's leadership. Graham sees the most likely scenario of Russia's development under Putin as a consolidation of El'tsin'sregime, that is, 'the slow ordering of the elements of an oligarchic regime, in which Putin will be a key [. . .] but not necessarilya dominant' figure(p. 58). According to Shevtsova, this stabilization could lead to stagnation and a move to a more authoritarian regime, despite Putin's protestations of loyalty to liberal democracy. This analysis is complemented by an interesting discussion by Holmes of how strong Putin'spower really is. Holmes concludes that despite an externalmanifestationof strength,thereis 'continuity,ratherthanrupture, between El'tsinism and Putinism' (p. 88). Those in power are effectively divorcedfromthe people ratherthan accountableto them. This collection of essayspresents argumentsof interest to researchersin a variety of fields. The essays are written in straightforward language and would also be of interest to undergraduate students. Department ofHistogy ELENA HORE Universiy ofEssex Giatzidis, Emil. An Introduction toPost-Communist Bulgaria. Europe in Change. Manchester University Press, Manchester and New York, 2002. xi + I8o pp. Notes. Tables. Abbreviations. Chronology. Bibliography. Index. fI 4.99 (paperback). EMIL GIATZIDIS provides a wealth of information about Bulgaria. The book opens with historical background, paying particular attention to Bulgaria gaining independence from Turkey; its close links with Russia, and its experience under Communism. However, the author'smain purpose is to use this as backgroundand to concentrate on the political, economic, and social transformationsince I989. Whilst touching on change in other Central and East European countries, Giatzidis focuses mainly on the differencesin Bulgaria.Here, revolution did not come from within. The Bulgarian Communist regime was never challenged internally, since the country had never been uncomfortablewith it. The Communist system had given rapid and successful industrialization and economic growthupto the I98os. However, economic andenvironmental problems increased and the collapse of the Communist regimes in other countries led the Bulgarian Communist Party elite to initiate reforms.After I989 the Bulgarian Communist Party changed into the Bulgarian Socialist Party and election results are shown in the table on page 53. This indicates that the BCP's initial hold on power gradually gave way to the opposing Union of Democratic Forces. The main problem facing Bulgaria was a politicalfailureto improvethe economic situation a resultof short-termism REVIEWS 12I and avoidance of shock therapy.Giatzidisprovides some horrificstatisticson the poor state of the economy, for example, the table on page 85 shows declining GDP percentage each year from I989-93. Economic recovery in 1994-95 gave way to an even greater decline in GDP in I996-97. Popular discontent finally brought about a change from the BSP government after 1997. Only by 2008 is the country likely to regain the level of economic development that it had in I989 (p. 93). Giatzidis explains the economic failingsmainly in termsof slowprivatization,which is linkedboth to low FDI, and to a mistaken and cumbersome agriculturalpolicy of land restitutionto the multiplicityof formerowners. Giatzidisis particularlyconcerned with the fact that although Bulgariahas a democratic multi-party system and now shows more tolerance to its minorities Turksand Roma-Gypsies it stilllacks a proper civil society. Non-governmental organizationsdo not play a full role in society due to the legacy of the former centralized Communist state system and resource constraintswhich limit theirparticipation.Giatzidismakesvariousinteresting suggestionsas to how the role of NGOs could be strengthened. The lastpartof the book turnsfromthe domestic situationin Bulgariato its international relations, particularlywith the former Yugoslavia,Macedonia, Turkey, and Greece. The reorientation of Bulgarian policy from Russia towardsthe EU and NATO is highlighted. Bulgariameets many of the entry criteria laid down by both organizations and has conceded increasingly to theirdemands, includingthose of the EU to close its importantnuclearpower station. Readers of the book might worrythat whilstBulgariahas made great strides politically...