Plow Preletariat E.Europe/Russ

This course analyzes the transformation from a largely agrarian to a mostly industrial economy as experienced by several Eastern European countries and Russia. We will study the original peasant structure of these societies, the various attempts made at agrarian reforms by state agencies and independent actors, and the consequences of rapid industrialization. Finally, we will end the course by considering the same lingering question many of these countries, some still largely rural, face: Is it possible to transition away from a primarily agricultural regional economy to an industrial, globalized society and still maintain one’s national identity?