Transitions and Non-Transitions from Communism
Regime Survival in China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam

A unique comparative study examining why some communist regimes remain in power, whilst others have fallen.

Steven Saxonberg (Author)

9781107023888, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 February 2013

364 pages, 2 b/w illus. 3 tables
23.1 x 15.5 x 2.8 cm, 0.66 kg

'This interesting book examines a range of factors that lead to different types of regime collapse … regimes inspired in part by Marxism across the globe will benefit from reading this book … Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.' M. D. Rothwell, Choice

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, many scholars have sought to explain the collapse of communism. Yet, more than two decades on, communist regimes continue to rule in a diverse set of countries including China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam. In a unique study of fourteen countries, Steven Saxonberg explores the reasons for the survival of some communist regimes while others fell. He also shows why the process of collapse differed among communist-led regimes in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Based on the analysis of the different processes of collapse that has already taken place, and taking into account the special characteristics of the remaining communist regimes, Transitions and Non-Transitions from Communism discusses the future prospects for the survival of the regimes in China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam.

1. Introduction
2. Communist regime types
3. Nationalism and patrimonial communism
4. Ideology and opposition to communism
5. Revolutionary potential and revolutionary outcomes
6. Transitions without revolutions
7. Non-transitions among maturing countries
8. Non-transition and patrimonial communism
9. What next?

Subject Areas: Political structure & processes [JPH], Marxism & Communism [JPFC], Political ideologies [JPF], Comparative politics [JPB]