This is an examination of the geographical transitions underway following the collapse in 1991 of the Soviet Union and the 15 nation-states. The author argues that central to understanding the nature of this transition are four processes: decolonization, the transition from union republics to nation-states; democratization, the emergence of civil society and the formation of social movements; marketization, the transition from Marx to the market; and globalization, the transition from withdrawal to re-entry into the global community. This transition period also represents challenges to these post-colonial states in which the nature and impact of these processes will differ, due in part to the unique nature of their societies, economies and politics. The book uses case studies and examples to illustrate the ideas and theories posited.

Author Biography

Graham Smith is Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Director of its Post-Soviet States Research Programme, and Lecturer on the Post-Soviet States in the Department of Geography, University of Cambridge.