EU eastern enlargement and the Russian transformation crisis

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Europe's economic and political landscape is undergoing significant transformation. The collapse of the socialist CMEA and the USSR has opened eastern European economies and prompted Russia and the CIS to undertake challenging reforms, supported by the G-7, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the EU, and the EBRD. While some early Visegrad countries have seen relative success in their transitions, others, such as Romania, Bulgaria, and particularly Russia, have faced substantial challenges. The failure of Russia's initial transition has led to economic hardship, social unrest, political radicalization, and increased criminal activities. This book examines the postsocialist countries in Europe from an international perspective, focusing on eastern enlargement and Russia. It investigates the international influences and effects stemming from EU enlargement and the Russian transition. Chapter A addresses the major issues surrounding eastern enlargement and the policy options available, while Chapter B focuses on the Russian transformation crisis. This analysis not only considers Russia's situation but also explores the potential negative spillover effects of a transformation disaster in Russia that could arise in the late 1990s.