1st Edition

Spaces and Places in Central and Eastern Europe Historical Trends and Perspectives

By Gyula Horváth Copyright 2015
    272 Pages
    by Routledge

    272 Pages 34 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Across Europe there is a rapidly changing context for undertaking regional development. In the 20th century, development of the former planned economies (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia), was defined by these countries differences, rather than their common ideological roots. These disparities altered over time and were marked by changing social structures. However, the ranking of regions has remained the same as core areas have strengthened their positions while the structural obstacles to the modernisation of peripheral areas have remained due to a lack of coherent regional policy.

    This book examines the specific regional development paths of Central and Eastern European countries and evaluates the effects of the determining factors of this process. Through analysis of the system of objectives, instruments and institutions used in different eras, and case studies of Hungary, East Germany and Germany, development models are established and compared with Western European patterns.

    The book summarises the experiences of Central and Eastern European regional cooperation and examines the basic nature of the cohesion problems of the Carpathian Basin trans-national macro region. It confirms by comparative historical analyses that the transformation was indeed unique. This book will make a welcome addition to the literature for students and academics interested in the broader picture of Central and Eastern European politics, future integration within the European Union and the history of regional development processes.

    1. Regional transition in the Central and Eastern European countries  2. Regions in Central and Eastern Europe  3. Towards a Knowledge based regional development: decentralization of science and research  4. The German Mezzogiorno? The natural history of East German regional development  5. Regional transformation in Russia  6. Regionalism in a unitary state: the case of Hungary  7. Interregional cooperation in a Central European macro-region: the case of the Carpathian Basin

    Biography

    Gyula Horváth is Professor in Regional Economics and Policy of the University of Pécs, Hungary and Scientific advisor of Institute of Regional Studies, Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

     'In the current volume Professor Horváth, one of the most seasoned observer of regional policy in central and eastern Europe, gives a truly interdisciplinary account of the changed role of space in the European perspective. Combining historical, regional, comparative, political and economic approaches he provides new insights in why the role of regions has not changed over the decades. The evidence-based analysis calls for major changes in the cohesion policies of the European Union. A must reading for anyone with serious academic interest in all those subjects.'

    László Csaba, Professor of international political economy, Central European University, Hungary

    'This is an important contribution to the literature on regional development in Europe. It is an interdisciplinary account combining theoretical depth with a real understanding of cases. Instead of assuming that central and eastern European countries are of a single type, it emphasises the specificities of the cases and their historical development. Its stress on the importance of institutions and policies means that it will appeal to economists, geographers, political scientists and sociologists as well as to policy practitioners.'

    Michael Keating, Professor of Politics, University of Aberdeen, Scotland UK

    'It is the clear benefit if this book to lead the reader into the broad field of transition processes in different regions, especially countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Professor Horváth has done a marvelous survey with many detailed analyses that help us to understand the pre-sent challenges of these regions and countries in face of their earlier, but also recent history.'

    Ulrich Blum, Professor, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

    'No one else has studied the European process of regionalization for so long and in such detail as Gyula  Horváth. I believe we should all be grateful to him and to the work he has done over the past several years finalizing a book that is useful not only to practitioners, economists and politicians, but to anyone who would better understand the process of birth and development of a unified European community.'

    Vladimir Kvint, Professor, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia