The post-communist states of Central and Eastern Europe have gone from being among the world's most closed, autarkic economies to being some of the most export-oriented and globally integrated. While previous accounts have attributed this shift to post-1989 market reform policies, Besnik Pula...

Part one. Before the 1963 'economic reform' -- The prevention of democratic change in East Germany after World War II -- The role of the soviet military administration in Germany (SMAD) -- The foundation of the GDR on October 7, 1949 -- Stalin's diplomatic initiative in March/April --...