Tracing the evolution of the Bulgarian state and its people, from the beginning of the Bulgarian national revival in the middle of the 19th century to the entry of the country into the European Union (EU), this book examines key political, social, and economic developments, revealing the history of a country which evolved from a backward and troublesome Balkan state to become a modern European nation. Seeing the collapse as well as the establishment and evolution of communist rule, Bulgaria survived an often painful journey from monolithic authoritarianism to representative democracy and the m ... More

Tracing the evolution of the Bulgarian state and its people, from the beginning of the Bulgarian national revival in the middle of the 19th century to the entry of the country into the European Union (EU), this book examines key political, social, and economic developments, revealing the history of a country which evolved from a backward and troublesome Balkan state to become a modern European nation. Seeing the collapse as well as the establishment and evolution of communist rule, Bulgaria survived an often painful journey from monolithic authoritarianism to representative democracy and the market system. The book follows this journey, and analyses the development of Bulgaria's political culture by examining the emergence of radical movements, both agrarian and socialist, as well as looking at the role of religion and the position of minorities. The book highlights the problems and dilemmas created by the country's position situated between East and West, problems which might not be entirely solved by its admission to the EU.