Samenvatting

In the last decade, the Communist ideology has been a key point in international discussions and disputes. 1989 marked the demise of the communism and brought room for transitions. This report provides an analysis of the post-communism at the hand of economic and political transitions, as well as commemoration cultures. The aim of this research is to answer the question ‘What are the key differences and/or similarities in the post-communist transition models of Europe and Asia?’. The European and Asian model of post-communist transition are each conceptualized based upon two separate case studies. Russia and Poland are used to conceptualize the European model, whereas the Asian model is based on post-communist transitions in China and Vietnam. Each case study is divided into four main parts, namely, ‘Brief history of Communism’; ‘Economic transition’; ‘Political transition’ and ‘Commemoration culture’. There are three main findings. Firstly, the economic transitions in the European and Asian model oppose each other. The European countries engaged in Shock Therapy, based on the neoliberal Washington Consensus, whereas the Asian ones adopted the Beijing Consensus favouring gradual
economic reform, state-capitalism and the maintenance of Communist rule. Secondly, in line with the Beijing Consensus, no meaningful political transition occurred in China and Vietnam. In both countries, the Communist Party is still in power. However, the politician transitions in Europe differ. Poland’s impressive reform resulted in a liberal democracy, whereas Russia is an autocracy. Thirdly, the commemoration practises in the European oppose those of the Asian model.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/femke-veen-b423487b/