📖 Second-hand book "Post-War History of Europe 1989-2005" [90% new]

Volume content introduction:

Introduction to Volume 4 of Postwar European History: Old Europe, New Europe 1989-2005:

In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed. Post-communist Eastern Europe struggled to make progress, facing a difficult economic transformation and democratic transition. Economically, these new believers in the free market promoted privatization policies, originally hoping to make every citizen a capitalist and lead the country out of the economic quagmire. As a result, public institutions fell apart and public assets were seized by the powerful. Politically, recycled "communists" allied themselves with real nationalists everywhere, and the suffering masses were thrown to the margins of society.

Eastern Europe, looking outside the gates of Europe, is trying hard to return to "Europe" - in order to obtain aid, realize economic modernization, or to prevent the return to "national communism" and stabilize domestic politics, it must be tied to "Europe". Prosperous Western Europe is once again facing its twin brother Eastern Europe. "Europe" has to rethink: Who are Europeans? What is Europe? What do Europeans want Europe to be like?

The busy road network, convenient railway system and popular English have promoted more intensive exchanges within Europe. After the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, the euro and the European Union officially brought Europe together, and a truly complete Europe is taking shape. Europe is no longer just a geographical concept, but also a way of life. What really brings Europeans together is this European model that is completely different from the "American way of life."

The EU has not replaced traditional countries with borders. As time goes by, the complicated agenda, lack of democracy, and manipulation by major powers make it increasingly difficult for this supranational organization to arouse the enthusiasm of the European people. The increase in foreign immigration and the imbalance in economic development between countries have given new right-wing parties more power, and the whole of Europe may fall into an increasingly tense atmosphere.

If European patriotism could break through its own limitations and, like Heine's ideal French patriotism, open its arms to embrace the entire civilized world, perhaps Europe could achieve a new situation and the 21st century might be the century that belongs to Europe.

This is Europe's opportunity, but also its challenge.

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