This textbook is the first comprehensive, single–authored analysis of post–communism. Post–Communism: An Introduction begins with an overview of both the history and many interpretations of the collapse of communism, in order to clarify the difficult issue of what we mean by "post–communism". Holmes then goes on to analyse the realities of post–communism in the social, political and economic spheres. In a predominantly thematic and comparative way the book discusses issues such as the new political institutions; social movements and the question of civil society; marketization and privatization; gender; the environment; nationalism and ethnic politics; and changing international allegiances. Throughout the book, the present circumstances are compared with the pre–1989 situation in order to provide a fuller interpretation and understanding of post–communism. Comprehensive, comparative and up–to–date, this book will be essential reading for lecturers and students of...