Overview

COVID-19, Public Management, and Survival of East European Democracies centers initially on the development of democracy in fourteen states of Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on the distinction between the seven Baltic and East Central European states in the north and the seven Balkan states in the south. Examination of key events of the political history of the two regions reveals that a participant political culture as the anchor of democracy was more developed in the north than in the south. Important measures of democracy as well as election results during the 2020-22 period of the COVID-19 outbreak demonstrate and reinforce the same distinctions between the two regions. Further, this detailed study of public administration problems such as corruption, accountability, trust, and the number of deaths from COVID-19 also disclose that such problems characterized both regions but were more pronounced in the southern states. In addition, the rise of populism and authoritarianism injected severe challenges in the midst of administrative preoccupation with the many harmful effects of the virus.

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9781666925166

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James W. Peterson and Bonnie Peterson provide an insightful and timely analysis of the state of public management in Eastern Europe through the lens of policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors artfully set the stage through an exploration of democratic practices, citizen trust in government, levels of corruption, and the rise of authoritarianism and populism. Case studies of the governmental response to the pandemic highlight key regional differences in Eastern Europe as well the importance of trust, accountability, and transparency in how these nations responded. This text makes an important contribution to our understanding of comparative politics, public policy formation, and public administration during a 100-year pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic affected our world in ways we are only now beginning to understand. In this important new book, the authors combine their expertise in political science and public administration to examine the impact of the pandemic on the fledgling democracies of Eastern, East Central, and Southeastern Europe. They find that while the public health crisis posed a challenge to democratic institutions and practices in all countries of the region--as it did elsewhere in Europe and the democratic world--the impact, and response to the pandemic, varied according to the pre-crisis strength of democracy in the fourteen states that are examined. This book combines a broad comparative analysis of the post-communist democracies with more detailed case studies of the Baltic, East Central Europe, and Balkan regions.

James W. Peterson and Bonnie Peterson provide an insightful and timely analysis of the state of public management in Eastern Europe through the lens of policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors artfully set the stage through an exploration of democratic practices, citizen trust in government, levels of corruption, and the rise of authoritarianism and populism. Case studies of the governmental response to the pandemic highlight key regional differences in Eastern Europe as well the importance of trust, accountability, and transparency in how these nations responded. This text makes an important contribution to our understanding of comparative politics, public policy formation, and public administration during a 100-year pandemic. --James T. LaPlant, Valdosta State University The COVID-19 pandemic affected our world in ways we are only now beginning to understand. In this important new book, the authors combine their expertise in political science and public administration to examine the impact of the pandemic on the fledgling democracies of Eastern, East Central, and Southeastern Europe. They find that while the public health crisis posed a challenge to democratic institutions and practices in all countries of the region--as it did elsewhere in Europe and the democratic world--the impact, and response to the pandemic, varied according to the pre-crisis strength of democracy in the fourteen states that are examined. This book combines a broad comparative analysis of the post-communist democracies with more detailed case studies of the Baltic, East Central Europe, and Balkan regions. --Michael Baun, Valdosta State University

Author Information

James W. Peterson is professor emeritus of political science at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. Bonnie Peterson is adjunct professor of public administration at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.

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