Europe Since 1989 - by Philipp Ther (Paperback)

About the Book

Translation of: Die neue Ordnung auf dem alten Kontinent: eine Geschichte des neoliberalen Europa. Published: Berlin: Suhrkamp, 2014.

Book Synopsis

An award-winning history of the transformation of Europe between 1989 and today

In this award-winning book, Philipp Ther provides the first comprehensive history of post-1989 Europe, offering a sweeping narrative filled with vivid details and memorable stories. Europe since 1989 shows how liberalization, deregulation, and privatization had catastrophic effects on former Soviet Bloc countries. Ther refutes the idea that this economic "shock therapy" was the basis of later growth, arguing that human capital and the "transformation from below" determined economic success or failure. He also shows how the capitalist West's effort to reshape Eastern Europe in its own likeness ended up reshaping Western Europe, especially Germany. Bringing the story up to the present, Ther compares Eastern and Southern Europe after the 2008-9 global financial crisis. A compelling account of how the new order of Europe was wrought from the chaotic aftermath of the Cold War, Europe since 1989 is essential reading for understanding post-Brexit Europe and the present dangers for democracy and the European Union.

From the Back Cover

"This is a great and original book. It offers keen personal observations of a wide range of European countries across several tumultuous decades, and brings forward new facts and perspectives. It will remain the history of the European transition from communism to capitalism for many years to come."--Mitchell A. Orenstein, University of Pennsylvania

"This brilliant book is a masterpiece of contemporary history and far and away the best thing that's been published about the huge historical turn that began in Europe in 1989. It instantly becomes the go-to book for understanding the period, totally supplanting previous accounts. Philipp Ther makes the events of 1989, and what followed, not simply a history of Eastern Europe, but a history of Europe as a whole, with both east and west entranced, and partly blinded, by the neoliberal imperative."--Larry Wolff, New York University

"This book features a lively and imaginative intellect on every page. But Philipp Ther's erudition is also extraordinary; he ranges with authority over the entirety of Europe in prose that sparkles and flows effortlessly. Europe since 1989 provokes, informs, and entertains, and there is not a dull moment in the entire book."--John Connelly, University of California, Berkeley

"Philipp Ther provides a richly detailed history of postcommunist Europe, employing key comparisons enhanced by wonderful personal knowledge of many locations. At a time when the public seems finally ready to question the neoliberal orthodoxy of the past few decades, Ther's narrative offers some major evidence."--Charles S. Maier, Harvard University

"Ther presents sweeping macroeconomic evidence with clarity and precision."--Pawel Marczewski, Metropole

"A compelling history."--Bookseller Buyer's Guide

Review Quotes

"Finalist for the 2017 Prix du Livre Européen, Esprit d'Europe"

"Winner of the Leipzig Book Fair Prize 2015"

About the Author

Philipp Ther is professor of Central European history and director of the Institute of European History at the University of Vienna.