Modern Romania: The End of Communism, the Failure of Democratic Reform, and the Theft of a Nation [Paperback]

Tom Gallagher (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0814732011 | ISBN-13: 978-0814732014 | Publication Date: March 1, 2008

Since the 1989 fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, Romania, arguably the most regimented of states in the Soviet bloc, has struggled with the transition from totalitarian state to democratic nation. In this insightful examination of modern Romania, Tom Gallagher provides an overview of Romania’s unique political and social history, focusing on both its national identity as well as the legacy of Soviet rule. Gallagher provides an in-depth look at Romania since 1989, focusing on the government’s attempts at economic reform, engagement with democracy, problems with corruption among the ruling elite, as well as the weakness of civil society and the resilience of implacable expressions of nationalism. Ultimately, Gallagher argues that thus far democracy has essentially failed in Romania. In fact, he warns that Romania is on its way to becoming one of the most unequal states in Europe and quite possibly a future trouble-spot unless efforts to resume much-needed reforms are undertaken.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gallagher thinks in neat, clear categories and writes with a style to match."
-Foreign Affairs

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"Modern Romania makes a significant contribution to the political history of Romania and Central Europe, as well as to the literature on the dynamics of political and social change in the region. The book has special merit in identifying a number of factors that threaten the stability of democracy in Romania—the most insidious of these being the endemic corruption which affects all aspects of society. Gallagher sounds a timely warning note about Romania’s future."
-Dennis Deletant,author of Ceausescu and the Securitate

"[T]his volume serves as an excellent introduction...For those familiar with the country, Gallagher offers much food for thought, and although some may not agree with the tenor of his conclusions, there can be no doubt that he has pointed to some of the important issues that Romania must grapple with as it enters this new phase of European Union membership."
-Slavic Review

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About the Author

Tom Gallagher holds the Chair of Ethnic Conflict and Peace at Bradford University. He is the author of many books, most recently Outcast Europe Balkans From The Ottomans To Milosevic: 1789 - 1989.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814732011
• ISBN-13: 978-0814732014
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > History > Europe > Romania

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Need to know the Romian of 2011? This is THE Book, January 31, 2011

By 

Dr. Dale - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Modern Romania: The End of Communism, the Failure of Democratic Reform, and the Theft of a Nation (Paperback)

As I have written previously for Amazon, I've been going to Romania since 1973 and have many very good friends there. I've watched that Country go through the throes of a Revolution which was not a real revolution. About all that really happened is that a lot of poor people lost their lives while the Communists then in power turned from red to a light gray and faded into the political fog. Amazon has one of the best collections of books on Romania.

Those once red people, now a light pink, but still red through & through are very much in power, and Gallagher tells why, how and what is most likely to happen. Frankly, it is very grim unless there are some massive changes - soon.

Having worked for ABC, Mutual, Deutsche Wella and others, I value high quality research. Best of all, everything Gallagher writes is documented with solid references, some of which I have checked. This book is one of the best of the recent times, events and leaders of Romania. It is must reading if you want to understand what is happening in the land of the Dacians who had attained a strong progressive culture with very high moral standards. I hope that will return, to wash away that violent polluted red of the Ceausescu era.

Dr. Dale

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intensely informative!!, August 22, 2005

By 

Michael D. Foster "Emissarius" (In God's Grace, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modern Romania: The End of Communism, the Failure of Democratic Reform, and the Theft of a Nation (Hardcover)

This book offers readers a look into a political system fueled by greed, corrupt from years of a communist mentality, and one being enabled to continue in the same path by NATO and the E.U. because of their own political agendas and goals.

This book argues that the average Romanian citizen is neglected and abused by the ruling elite, and little has been done since the fall of communism in 1989, by leading democratic nations to ensure a smooth transition from years under a totalitarian regime into this new found freedom we know as democracy.

Highly recommended reading for those with an interest in Romanian history or international politics.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Troublesome Situation in Romania, July 1, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modern Romania: The End of Communism, the Failure of Democratic Reform, and the Theft of a Nation (Hardcover)

Romania has long been a country that exists as an independent country but which has tended to be subservient to if not actually ruled by outsiders. At different times these rulers have Turks, Germans, Russians and others. The secret to survival of the Romanian culture has been an ability of influential Romanians to outwit powerful outsiders while attempting to accept their 'alien ways.'

The result is a country with an entrenched dominant party or oligarchy have created a partly democratic country with limited, tolerated opposition and a week independent sector but little real democratic culture.

With the fall of Ceausescu in 1989 democracy resulted, but essentially the same power structure remained through the Social Democratic Party.

This book presents a view of a Romania at a crossroads where the traditional powers that be are being confronted with an outside view as Romania has joined NATO and the EU, and local democratic forces are growing tired of the blatant corruption.

Romania could well be one of the world's next trouble spots.