Austerities and Aspirations: A Comparative History of Growth, Consumption, and Quality of Life in East Central Europe Since 1945

This monograph compares the economic performance of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland since 1945 to Western Europe, focusing on consumption, leisure, and quality of life. It challenges the myth of the communist era as one of catching up and convergence, demonstrating that the post-communist transition allowed for qualitative and quantitative convergence, stalled only by the 2008 financial crisis.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 420 pages
\n Publication date: 15 September 2020
\n Publisher: Central European University Press
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This monograph provides a comprehensive update on the economic performance of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland since 1945, comparing it to Western Europe. The author goes beyond the traditional growth paradigm and delves into the historical patterns of consumption, leisure, and quality of life, recognizing their interconnectedness. By adopting a triple approach that combines economic history, economics, sociology, and demography, the author offers a fresh perspective on these countries' development.

The book challenges the notion that the communist era in East Central Europe was characterized by catching up and convergence with Western Europe. Instead, it demonstrates that the pre-World War I period was when these countries were closest to Western Europe, and the interwar period sustained this level of similarity. This dispels the myth that the communist era was solely about catching up and convergence.

In addition to providing valuable quantitative information, the author offers insightful analysis on scholarly debates ranging from factors of growth to demographic developments to the complexities of consumption in communist regimes. The book sheds light on the challenges and complexities faced by these countries during their transition from communism to democracy.

The analysis concludes that the post-communist transition, despite its high social and economic costs, allowed for qualitative and quantitative convergence. However, the financial crisis of 2008 temporarily stalled this process. The book provides valuable insights into the economic development of East Central Europe and its comparison to Western Europe, contributing to the ongoing discourse on economic history and development.

\n Weight: 742g\n
Dimension: 163 x 237 x 30 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9789633863510\n \n