Preying on the State

The Transformation of Bulgaria after 1989

Nonfiction, History, Eastern Europe
Cover of the book Preying on the State by Venelin I. Ganev, Cornell University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Venelin I. Ganev ISBN: 9780801469961
Publisher: Cornell University Press Publication: December 15, 2009
Imprint: Cornell University Press Language: English
Author: Venelin I. Ganev
ISBN: 9780801469961
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Publication: December 15, 2009
Imprint: Cornell University Press
Language: English

Immediately after 1989, newly emerging polities in Eastern Europe had to contend with an overbearing and dominant legacy: the Soviet model of the state. At that time, the strength of the state looked like a massive obstacle to change; less than a decade later, the state's dominant characteristic was no longer its overweening powerfulness, but rather its utter decrepitude. Consequently, the role of the central state in managing economies, providing social services, and maintaining infrastructure came into question. Focusing on his native Bulgaria, Venelin I. Ganev explores in fine-grained detail the weakening of the central state in post-Soviet Eastern Europe.Ganev starts with the structural characteristics of the Soviet satellites, and in particular the forms of elite agency favored in the socialist party-state. As state socialism collapsed, Ganev demonstrates, its institutional legacy presented functionaries who had become accustomed to power with a matrix of opportunities and constraints. In order to maximize their advantage under such conditions, these elites did not need a robust state apparatus—in fact, all of the incentives under postsocialism pushed them to subvert the infrastructure of governance.Throughout Preying on the State, Ganev argues that the causes of state malfunctioning go much deeper than the policy preferences of "free marketeers" who deliberately dismantled the state. He systematically analyzes the multiple dimensions, implications, and significance of the institutional and social processes that transformed the organizational basis of effective governance.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Immediately after 1989, newly emerging polities in Eastern Europe had to contend with an overbearing and dominant legacy: the Soviet model of the state. At that time, the strength of the state looked like a massive obstacle to change; less than a decade later, the state's dominant characteristic was no longer its overweening powerfulness, but rather its utter decrepitude. Consequently, the role of the central state in managing economies, providing social services, and maintaining infrastructure came into question. Focusing on his native Bulgaria, Venelin I. Ganev explores in fine-grained detail the weakening of the central state in post-Soviet Eastern Europe.Ganev starts with the structural characteristics of the Soviet satellites, and in particular the forms of elite agency favored in the socialist party-state. As state socialism collapsed, Ganev demonstrates, its institutional legacy presented functionaries who had become accustomed to power with a matrix of opportunities and constraints. In order to maximize their advantage under such conditions, these elites did not need a robust state apparatus—in fact, all of the incentives under postsocialism pushed them to subvert the infrastructure of governance.Throughout Preying on the State, Ganev argues that the causes of state malfunctioning go much deeper than the policy preferences of "free marketeers" who deliberately dismantled the state. He systematically analyzes the multiple dimensions, implications, and significance of the institutional and social processes that transformed the organizational basis of effective governance.

More books from Cornell University Press

Cover of the book Empire's Twin by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Creating Cistercian Nuns by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Clarissa's Ciphers by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book On Greek Religion by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book How Russia Really Works by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Deceit on the Road to War by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Form as Revolt by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Sarajevo, 1941–1945 by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book What Universities Can Be by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Recapturing the Oval Office by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book The One-Way Street of Integration by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Cities, Classes, and the Social Order by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Kith, Kin, and Neighbors by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book Nation-Empire by Venelin I. Ganev
Cover of the book The Observation Hive Handbook by Venelin I. Ganev
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy