Lernzettel: Geopolitics and Post-Communist Transitions

📋 Course Outline

1. Geostrategic and security interests of Russia and China in the South Caucasus
2. Military cooperation and security challenges between Russia and China
3. Economic and trade alliances involving Russia, China, and regional partners
4. Geographical and demographic profiles of the Russian Federation
5. Administrative and ethnic composition of the Russian Federation
6. Ethnic minorities and religious composition in China
7. Definitions and conceptual debates surrounding post-communism
8. Contrasting democracy and communism in the context of post-communism
9. Perspectives on the collapse of communism and its causes
10. Goals and challenges of post-communist transition
11. Contemporary relevance and political realities of post-communism in former communist states

📖 1. Geostrategic and security interests of Russia and China in the South Caucasus

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Forging a Discipline : The critical development and assessment of the academic study of politics and international relations, emphasizing comparative perspectives and scholarly rigor.
• Security interests : Strategic priorities aimed at safeguarding national security, regional influence, and geopolitical objectives in Georgia and the South Caucasus.
• South Caucasus Region : A geopolitically significant area comprising Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, characterized by complex security dynamics, regional conflicts, and external strategic interests.
• China’s geostrategic and security : China's strategic initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative, viewed from Georgia's national security perspective as balancing economic benefits against potential security risks.

📝 Essential Points

• Russia and China possess substantial geostrategic and security interests in Georgia and the South Caucasus, influencing regional stability.
• Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008 has significantly impacted the current status quo in the South Caucasus.
• Georgia perceives China’s Belt and Road Initiative through a national security lens, weighing economic gains against security risks.
• • Explaining how the China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” is seen from the National Security lens of Georgia and whether security risks overcome the economic benefits?

💡 Key Takeaway

Russia and China possess substantial geostrategic and security interests in Georgia and the South Caucasus, influencing regional stability.

📖 2. Military cooperation and security challenges between Russia and China

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) : A regional security organization established in 1992, consisting of six ex-Soviet republics—Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan—focused on collective defense and security cooperation.
• Shanghai Cooperative Organization (SCO) : An international organization comprising China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, recognized as the largest nongovernmental group by population, aimed at regional security, economic cooperation, and political dialogue.
• **Security and Trade
• Collective Security** : The interconnected framework of regional security organizations like CSTO and SCO, alongside economic agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), that underpin the strategic partnerships between Russia, China, and other member states.

📝 Essential Points

• The Vostok-2018 military exercise involved 300,000 Russian soldiers and 3,500 Chinese troops, marking the largest joint military drill since the Cold War.
• Russia and China conduct regular joint military trainings across diverse regions including the Eastern Mediterranean, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea.
• Both countries explore hybrid warfare tactics, blending traditional military methods with modern surveillance and cyber strategies.
• There is a potential future risk of China supporting Russia in Ukraine or Russia supporting China in Taiwan during conflicts.
• • 300,000 Russian soldiers • 3,500 Chinese troops • 36,000 military vehicles • 80 ships • 1,000 aircraft, helicopters and drones • Regular joint trainings • In the Eastern Mediterranean • The North Atlantic • The Baltic Sea • Joint space explorations • Joint mission on the moon Danger - China supporting Russia towards Ukrainian front Or Russia supporting China towards Taiwan (in the future) Disagreement and Competition • Climate • Former Soviet space: Central Asia • Afghanistan • Nuclear threats from Russia • “But in a geopolitical sense, the two nations complement each other.
• Military
• The largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War - Vostok-2018 were conducted on the China-Russia border in 2018.

💡 Key Takeaway

The depth of Russia-China military cooperation and hybrid warfare tactics presents complex security challenges and strategic opportunities.

📖 3. Economic and trade alliances involving Russia, China, and regional partners

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Regional partners — signed the RCEP : The five non-ASEAN countries that formally signed the RCEP agreement in 2020 alongside ASEAN members.

📝 Essential Points

• RCEP, signed in 2020 by ASEAN members and five regional partners, is the largest free trade agreement connecting about 30% of the world's population and output.
• By 2030, RCEP could generate $209 billion income per year and$500 billion in worldwide trade.
• China and Russia complement each other economically: China has a diversified economy but lacks vital natural resources, while Russia has abundant natural resources but a less diversified economy.

💡 Key Takeaway

The strategic economic partnerships formed through RCEP and the complementary economic relationship between China and Russia underpin their regional influence and global trade ambitions.

📖 4. Geographical and demographic profiles of the Russian Federation

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Russian Federation geography : The total physical area of Russia, including land and water surfaces, making it the largest country in the world by total area.
• Million Russian Federation Russian Federation : The approximate population of Russia, estimated at 143 million as of July 2025-26.
• **Federation Russian Federation GEOGRAPHY
• Area** : The combined land and water surface of Russia, totaling approximately 17,098,242 square kilometers.

📝 Essential Points

• Russia is the largest country in the world by area, totaling approximately 17,098,242 sq km.
• The Russian population is about 143 million with a slight negative growth rate of -0.2% in 2021.
• Russia's land area is about 16,377,742 sq km with 720,500 sq km of water.

💡 Key Takeaway

Russia's vast geographical expanse and demographic characteristics form the foundation of its national power.

📖 5. Administrative and ethnic composition of the Russian Federation

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Republics : Constitutional entities within Russia characterized as states in the Constitution, but lacking full state sovereignty.
• Autonomous okrugs : Administrative divisions within Russia that have a degree of autonomy and are designated for specific ethnic groups.
• **Religion
• Russian Orthodox 15-20** : Religious composition in Russia includes Russian Orthodox Christianity practiced by 15-20% of the population, along with Muslim and other Christian communities.

📝 Essential Points

• Republics in Russia are constitutionally characterized as states but do not possess full state sovereignty.
• Russia's federal structure includes 46 oblasts, 22 republics, 9 krais, 4 autonomous okrugs, 1 autonomous oblast, and 3 cities of federal importance.

💡 Key Takeaway

Understanding the complex administrative divisions and ethnic diversity that shape Russia's internal governance.

📖 6. Ethnic minorities and religious composition in China

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• China's National Minorities : Ethnic groups in China other than the Han Chinese, including Zhuang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Tibetan, Mongol, and others, collectively comprising approximately 7% of the population.

📝 Essential Points

• Han Chinese make up 91.6% of China's population; ethnic minorities include groups like Zhuang, Hui, Uighur, Tibetan, Mongol, and others.
• The religious composition features folk religion (21.9%), Buddhism (18.3%), Christianity (5.2%), Islam (2%), with over half the population unaffiliated.

💡 Key Takeaway

Recognizing China's ethnic and religious diversity within its administrative framework is key to understanding its societal fabric.

📖 7. Definitions and conceptual debates surrounding post-communism

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Marxism-Leninism : The official ideology of the Soviet Union combining Marxist revolutionary socialism with Leninist totalitarian control, advocating the abolition of private property and state ownership of production.

📝 Essential Points

• There are multiple rival concepts related to post-communism including 'Eastern European societies', 'ex-Soviet block countries', 'post-totalitarianism', and 'new democracies'.
• Communism is defined as a system where government owns production means and there is no private property, based on Marxism-Leninism ideology.

💡 Key Takeaway

The study of post-communism involves understanding its multifaceted definitions and debates, emphasizing its political and cultural dimensions as a process of recovery and transformation.

📖 8. Contrasting democracy and communism in the context of post-communism

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Democracy : A political ideal debated as either a universal norm or a contested value that may serve as a mask for power, raising questions about its desirability and authenticity.
• Political arrangements : The structures and systems of governance that organize and exercise political power within a society, which may be in tension with cultural values.
• Communism :
  • Can post-communism be reconciled with democratic norms?

📝 Essential Points

• Democracy is debated as either a universal norm or a contested political ideal with potential masks for power.
• Communism is characterized by totalitarian control and state ownership, contrasting with democratic political arrangements.
• Understanding post-communism requires addressing both political structures and cultural values that may conflict with democratic norms.

💡 Key Takeaway

Democracy is debated as either a universal norm or a contested political ideal with potential masks for power.

📖 9. Perspectives on the collapse of communism and its causes

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• 1999 : The year referenced in Sakwa's analysis as a point of discussion regarding the ideological and political debates on communism and democracy.
• Democracy deficit : A deficiency in communist regimes characterized by insufficient democratic practices, which contributed to their decline according to the externalist perspective.
• Loss of communist identity : The erosion of ideological and cultural coherence within communist regimes, leading to doubts about their legitimacy and contributing to their collapse as emphasized by the internalist view.

📝 Essential Points

• The externalist view attributes communism's collapse to losing economic competition with the West, democracy deficits, and human rights issues.
• The internalist view cites illegitimate power, loss of authority, identity crises, and inhuman forced modernization as causes.
• Growing doubts about communism's superiority over Western democracy and its failure to respect human nature contributed to its downfall.
• Democracy VS Communism
• Democracy: “the West is on the right path.

💡 Key Takeaway

The externalist view attributes communism's collapse to losing economic competition with the West, democracy deficits, and human rights issues.

📖 10. Goals and challenges of post-communist transition

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Internalist/self-understanding view :

  • “Illegitimate wielding and abuse of power from the scratch, lack of authority, loss of communist identity, growing doubt concerning superiority of communism over Western democracy, inhuman nature of forced modernisation, struggle for independence and identit

• Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view : A perspective that attributes the collapse of communism to external factors including losing the economic contest with the West, democracy deficits, human rights violations, and the natural development of regimes moving beyond totalitarianism, emphasizing catching up with the West by adopting Western institutions and integrating economically and socially.

• Post-communist transition : The process following the collapse of communism characterized externally by efforts to catch up with the West through adopting Western institutions and integration, and internally by goals such as reclaiming freedom, restoring traditions, defining national interests, and establishing diverse communities.

• Communist and Post- Communist : Terms referring respectively to the period and regimes under communist rule and the subsequent period and societies undergoing transition after the collapse of communism, often marked by challenges in democratization and identity redefinition.

📝 Essential Points

• Externally, post-communist transition aims to catch up with the West by adopting Western institutions and integrating economically and socially.
• Challenges include balancing pragmatic accommodation to Western models with preserving national identity and interests.

💡 Key Takeaway

Externally, post-communist transition aims to catch up with the West by adopting Western institutions and integrating economically and socially.

📖 11. Contemporary relevance and political realities of post-communism in former communist states

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Hybrid regimes : Political systems that combine elements of democracy and authoritarianism, typically featuring elections but lacking full democratic freedoms.
• Electoral authoritarianism : Regimes where elections occur but do not offer genuine competition or lead to democratic governance, thereby maintaining authoritarian control.
• Communist whereas its political structures : Political systems where the economy has transitioned away from communism, but the political institutions and governance remain rooted in communist ideology.
• Formerly Communist states : Countries that previously had communist regimes but have experienced political and economic changes since the end of communism.
• Communist states in the post-Soviet : States in the post-Soviet region that retain communist political structures despite economic transformations, where democracy is generally absent.

📝 Essential Points

• In most former Soviet states, democracy remains elusive with hybrid regimes or electoral authoritarianism prevailing except in Baltic states.
• China remains an authoritarian state with a hybrid economy that is no longer communist but retains communist political structures.
• Studying post-communism requires attention to communist legacies and local specificities of regimes and societies rather than applying standard democratic frameworks.
• There remains a pressing need for attention both to the historical legacies of the Communist past and to the local specificities of regimes and societies.
• • In much of the former Soviet Union, “democracy has proved elusive.

💡 Key Takeaway

Recognizing the complex and varied political realities that define post-communist states today beyond simplistic democratic models.

🧩 Additional Source Details

1. Study this source detail: And China: An Introduction To Post-Communism Kakhaber Kemoklidze March, 2026, ICES (Institut Catholique de Vendée) Kakhaber Kemoklidze [email protected] Twitter: @KakhaKemoklidze Tell (mob - WhatsApp): +971058 (Source: "And China: An Introduction To Post-Communism Kakhaber Kemoklidze March, 2026, ICES (Institut Catholique de Vendée) Kakhaber Kemoklidze [email protected] Twitter: @KakhaKemoklidze Tell (mob - WhatsApp): [phone] Lecture I Introduction Russia and China: An Introduction to ‘Post-Communism’ Kakhaber Kemoklidze Brief content details of the")
2. Study this source detail: [phone] Lecture I Introduction Russia and China: An Introduction to ‘Post-Communism’ Kakhaber Kemoklidze Brief content details of the course • Providing some important details about Russia and China; • Understandi (Source: "[phone] Lecture I Introduction Russia and China: An Introduction to ‘Post-Communism’ Kakhaber Kemoklidze Brief content details of the course • Providing some important details about Russia and China; • Understanding of post communism in the context of Russia and China; • Examining Russia’s and China’s geostrategic and security interests in Georgia")
3. Study this source detail: geostrategic and security interests in Georgia and in the South Caucasus Region; • Understanding current Russia-Ukraine war. Exploring wider security context; • Examining practical aspects of the security challenges comi (Source: "geostrategic and security interests in Georgia and in the South Caucasus Region; • Understanding current Russia-Ukraine war. Exploring wider security context; • Examining practical aspects of the security challenges coming from Russia and China; • Understanding of “Hybrid Warfare” explored by Russia and China (more about “old Russian vodka in new bottle”")
4. Study this source detail: China (more about “old Russian vodka in new bottle” and China’s “unique” surveillance system); • Explaining how the China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” is seen from the National Security lens of Georgia and whether securi (Source: "China (more about “old Russian vodka in new bottle” and China’s “unique” surveillance system); • Explaining how the China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” is seen from the National Security lens of Georgia and whether security risks overcome the economic benefits?! • Providing an insight about Russia’s invasion in Georgia in 2008 and current Status Quo; •")
5. Study this source detail: in Georgia in 2008 and current Status Quo; • Providing practical aspects of the topics above discussed and share some professional experience within intelligence domain. Recommended readings: • ANDRÁS LÁNCZI (2007) "What (Source: "in Georgia in 2008 and current Status Quo; • Providing practical aspects of the topics above discussed and share some professional experience within intelligence domain. Recommended readings: • ANDRÁS LÁNCZI (2007) "What is Postcommunism?" Society and Economy , April 2007, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 65-85 • Archie Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) “The Study of")
6. Study this source detail: Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist Politics” in Christopher Hood, Desmond King, and Gillian Peele (eds.) Forging a Discipline: A Critical Assessment of Oxford's Development of (Source: "Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist Politics” in Christopher Hood, Desmond King, and Gillian Peele (eds.) Forging a Discipline: A Critical Assessment of Oxford's Development of the Study of Politics and International Relations in Comparative Perspective, Oxford Scholarship Online • Separate list of reading will")
7. Study this source detail: Scholarship Online • Separate list of reading will be provided later. Why study Russia and China? Global Firepower (GFP) 2023 Military Strength Ranking The finalized Global Firepower ranking below utilizes over 60 indivi (Source: "Scholarship Online • Separate list of reading will be provided later. Why study Russia and China? Global Firepower (GFP) 2023 Military Strength Ranking The finalized Global Firepower ranking below utilizes over 60 individual factors to determine a given nation's PowerIndex ('PwrIndx') score with categories ranging from quantity of military units and")
8. Study this source detail: ranging from quantity of military units and financial standing to logistical capabilities and geography. Security and Trade • Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) of six ex- Soviet republics: Armenia, Belarus, (Source: "ranging from quantity of military units and financial standing to logistical capabilities and geography. Security and Trade • Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) of six ex- Soviet republics: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan (regional agreement since 1992 and int. regional organisation since 2002). • Shanghai")
9. Study this source detail: organisation since 2002). • Shanghai Cooperative Organization (SCO) The largest nongovernmental group in the world based on population of member states: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, (Source: "organisation since 2002). • Shanghai Cooperative Organization (SCO) The largest nongovernmental group in the world based on population of member states: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. • Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): In 2020, 15 countries — members of the Association of Southeast")
10. Study this source detail: — members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and five regional partners — signed the RCEP, arguably the largest free trade agreement in history. • Connects approx. 30% of the world’s people and output (Source: "— members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and five regional partners — signed the RCEP, arguably the largest free trade agreement in history. • Connects approx. 30% of the world’s people and output and according to some calculations, by 2030 it could generate $209 billion income per year, and$500 billion trade worldwide. Military")
11. Study this source detail: year, and $500 billion trade worldwide. Military • The largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War - Vostok-2018 were conducted on the China-Russia border in 2018. • 300,000 Russian soldiers • 3,500 Chinese _(Source: "year, and$500 billion trade worldwide. Military • The largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War - Vostok-2018 were conducted on the China-Russia border in 2018. • 300,000 Russian soldiers • 3,500 Chinese troops • 36,000 military vehicles • 80 ships • 1,000 aircraft, helicopters and drones • Regular joint trainings • In the Eastern")_
12. Study this source detail: Soviet space: Central Asia • Afghanistan • Nuclear threats from Russia • “But in a geopolitical sense, the two nations complement each other. China has a huge population, a lack of vital natural resources such as oil, a (Source: "Soviet space: Central Asia • Afghanistan • Nuclear threats from Russia • “But in a geopolitical sense, the two nations complement each other. China has a huge population, a lack of vital natural resources such as oil, a powerful and diversified economy and strong influence in much of East Asia and Sub- Saharan Africa. Russia has a stagnant population,")
13. Study this source detail: Saharan Africa. Russia has a stagnant population, massive natural resources in oil and gas, a poorly diversified economy and strong influence in parts of Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Together, they are a formid (Source: "Saharan Africa. Russia has a stagnant population, massive natural resources in oil and gas, a poorly diversified economy and strong influence in parts of Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Together, they are a formidable pair.” Retired U.S. Navy admiral James Stavridis (2022) Largest Countries in the World • Top 10 Largest Countries in the World (by")
14. Study this source detail: World • Top 10 Largest Countries in the World (by total area km²): 1.Russia — 17,098,250 km² 2.Canada — 9,879,750 km² 3.China — 9,600,013 km² 4.United States — 9,525,067 - 9,831,510 km² 5.Brazil — 8,515,770 km² 6.Austral (Source: "World • Top 10 Largest Countries in the World (by total area km²): 1.Russia — 17,098,250 km² 2.Canada — 9,879,750 km² 3.China — 9,600,013 km² 4.United States — 9,525,067 - 9,831,510 km² 5.Brazil — 8,515,770 km² 6.Australia — 7,741,220 km² 7.India — 3,287,260 km² 8.Argentina — 2,780,400 km² 9.Kazakhstan — 2,724,902 km² 10.Algeria — 2,381,741 km² Largest")
15. Study this source detail: km² 10.Algeria — 2,381,741 km² Largest Countries in the World by Population (2026) Rank Country Population (approx.) 1 India ~1.48 billion 2 China ~1.41 billion 3 United States ~349 million 4 Indonesia ~288 million 5 Pak (Source: "km² 10.Algeria — 2,381,741 km² Largest Countries in the World by Population (2026) Rank Country Population (approx.) 1 India ~1.48 billion 2 China ~1.41 billion 3 United States ~349 million 4 Indonesia ~288 million 5 Pakistan ~259 million 6 Nigeria ~242 million 7 Brazil ~214 million 8 Bangladesh ~178 million 9 Russia ~143 million 10 Ethiopia ~139")
16. Study this source detail: million 9 Russia ~143 million 10 Ethiopia ~139 million Russian Federation Russian Federation GEOGRAPHY • Area Total: 17,098,242 sq km • Land: 16,377,742 sq km • Water: 720,500 sq km PEOPLE & SOCIETY • Population 143 mill (Source: "million 9 Russia ~143 million 10 Ethiopia ~139 million Russian Federation Russian Federation GEOGRAPHY • Area Total: 17,098,242 sq km • Land: 16,377,742 sq km • Water: 720,500 sq km PEOPLE & SOCIETY • Population 143 million (July 2025-26 est.) • Population Growth -0.2% (2021 est.) • Ethnicity Russian 77.7%, Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%,")
17. Study this source detail: Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%, Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9% (2010 est.) • Language • Russian (official) 85.7%, Tatar 3.2%, Chechen 1%, other 10.1% (2010 est.) • Religion • Russian Orth (Source: "Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%, Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9% (2010 est.) • Language • Russian (official) 85.7%, Tatar 3.2%, Chechen 1%, other 10.1% (2010 est.) • Religion • Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) Russian Federal Structure • 46 oblasts • 22 republics (unlike other subjects,")
18. Study this source detail: • 46 oblasts • 22 republics (unlike other subjects, the republics are characterized in the Constitution of Russia as states, but at the same time, it does not mean that they have state sovereignty); • 9 krais (there is n (Source: "• 46 oblasts • 22 republics (unlike other subjects, the republics are characterized in the Constitution of Russia as states, but at the same time, it does not mean that they have state sovereignty); • 9 krais (there is no legal distinction between “oblast” and “krai”); • 4 autonomous okrugs; • 1 autonomous oblast; • 3 cities of federal importance (Moscow,")
19. Study this source detail: oblast; • 3 cities of federal importance (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sevastopol – written in Constitution / Chapter 3. The Federal Structure Article 65) The People's Republic of China The People's Republic of China GEOGRAPH (Source: "oblast; • 3 cities of federal importance (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sevastopol – written in Constitution / Chapter 3. The Federal Structure Article 65) The People's Republic of China The People's Republic of China GEOGRAPHY • Area Total: 9,596,960 sq km • Land: 9,326,410 sq km • Water: 270,550 sq km PEOPLE & SOCIETY • Population 1.41 billion (July 2021 est.)")
20. Study this source detail: SOCIETY • Population 1.41 billion (July 2021 est.) • Population Growth 0.26% (2021 est.) • Ethnicity • Han Chinese 91.6%, Zhuang 1.3%, other (includes Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Y (Source: "SOCIETY • Population 1.41 billion (July 2021 est.) • Population Growth 0.26% (2021 est.) • Ethnicity • Han Chinese 91.6%, Zhuang 1.3%, other (includes Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai) 7.1% (2010 est.) • Language • Standard Chinese or Mandarin (official; Putonghua, based on the")
21. Study this source detail: Mandarin (official; Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages • Religion • folk religion 21. (Source: "Mandarin (official; Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages • Religion • folk religion 21.9%, Buddhist 18.3%, Christian 5.2%, Muslim 2%, Hindu < 0.1%, Jewish < 0.1%, other 0.7% (includes Daoist (Taoist), unaffiliated 51.8%")
22. Study this source detail: (includes Daoist (Taoist), unaffiliated 51.8% (2020 est.) The People's Republic of China Administrative Divisions ▪ Divided into 33 administrative regions ▪ there are 22 provinces, ▪ five autonomous regions, ▪ four munic (Source: "(includes Daoist (Taoist), unaffiliated 51.8% (2020 est.) The People's Republic of China Administrative Divisions ▪ Divided into 33 administrative regions ▪ there are 22 provinces, ▪ five autonomous regions, ▪ four municipalities, ▪ two special administrative regions (SAR). ▪ China also claims sovereignty over the territory administered by Taiwan (Republic")
23. Study this source detail: over the territory administered by Taiwan (Republic of China), claiming most of it as its Taiwan Province. Map of China with Administrative Divisions Geographic Distribution of China's National Minorities 1. Yanbian Kore (Source: "over the territory administered by Taiwan (Republic of China), claiming most of it as its Taiwan Province. Map of China with Administrative Divisions Geographic Distribution of China's National Minorities 1. Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 2. Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 3. Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture 4. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous")
24. Study this source detail: Prefecture 4. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 5. Huangna Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 6. Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 7. Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 8. Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 9. Haixi (Source: "Prefecture 4. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 5. Huangna Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 6. Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 7. Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 8. Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 9. Haixi Mongolian, Tibetan, Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 10. Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 11. Kizilsu Khalkhas Autonomous")
25. Study this source detail: 11. Kizilsu Khalkhas Autonomous Prefecture 12. Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture 13. Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 14. Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 15. Xiangxi Tujia, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 16. Haina Li (Source: "11. Kizilsu Khalkhas Autonomous Prefecture 12. Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture 13. Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 14. Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 15. Xiangxi Tujia, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 16. Haina Li, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 17. Aba (Ngawa) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 18. Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 19. Liangsha")
26. Study this source detail: Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 19. Liangsha Yi Autonomous Prefecture 20. Qiandongnan Miao, Dong Autonomous Prefecture 21. Qiannan Bouyei, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 22. Wenshan Zhuang, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 23. (Source: "Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 19. Liangsha Yi Autonomous Prefecture 20. Qiandongnan Miao, Dong Autonomous Prefecture 21. Qiannan Bouyei, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 22. Wenshan Zhuang, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 23. Honghe Hani, Yi Autonomous Prefecture 24. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture 25. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 26. Chuxiong Yi")
27. Study this source detail: Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 26. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 27. Dehong Dai, Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 28. Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture 29. Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture • Population Why study ' (Source: "Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 26. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 27. Dehong Dai, Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 28. Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture 29. Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture • Population Why study 'Post-Communism’? What is 'Post-Communism’? • Different spellings • Post-Communism • post-Communism • postcommunism • Different definitions")
28. Study this source detail: • postcommunism • Different definitions ‘Communism’ and ‘Post-Communism’: Merriam-Webster Dictionary • Essential Meaning of communism • A way of organizing a society in which the government owns the things that are used (Source: "• postcommunism • Different definitions ‘Communism’ and ‘Post-Communism’: Merriam-Webster Dictionary • Essential Meaning of communism • A way of organizing a society in which the government owns the things that are used to make and transport products (such as land, oil, factories, ships, etc.) and there is no privately owned property • Full")
29. Study this source detail: there is no privately owned property • Full Definition of communism • 1a: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed • b: a theory advocating elimination of private property • 2a: a do (Source: "there is no privately owned property • Full Definition of communism • 1a: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed • b: a theory advocating elimination of private property • 2a: a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian (Karl Marx 1818-1883) socialism and Marxism-Leninism (Vladimir Ilyitch Ulyanov 1870-1924) that was")
30. Study this source detail: (Vladimir Ilyitch Ulyanov 1870-1924) that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R. • b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production • c: a final sta (Source: "(Vladimir Ilyitch Ulyanov 1870-1924) that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R. • b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production • c: a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably • d: communist")
31. Study this source detail: are distributed equitably • d: communist systems collectively • Definition of postcommunist • existing or occurring after the decline or end of communism • Difficulties of defining the term • “rival concepts”: • "Eastern (Source: "are distributed equitably • d: communist systems collectively • Definition of postcommunist • existing or occurring after the decline or end of communism • Difficulties of defining the term • “rival concepts”: • "Eastern European societies“ • "ex-Soviet block countries“ • "post-totalitarianism“ • "new democracies“ • "Eastern European transition” • Etc.")
32. Study this source detail: democracies“ • "Eastern European transition” • Etc. • “one common feature of all underlying ideas of postcommunism: almost without exception, but dominantly for sure, they take a progressive position, and view the politi (Source: "democracies“ • "Eastern European transition” • Etc. • “one common feature of all underlying ideas of postcommunism: almost without exception, but dominantly for sure, they take a progressive position, and view the political world of postcommunism as the sick person on a way to recovery.” (Lanczi, 2007, p.69) What is 'Post-Communism’? Democracy VS Communism")
33. Study this source detail: What is 'Post-Communism’? Democracy VS Communism • Democracy: “the West is on the right path. I don't believe it has much to learn from other cultures. We should aim to expand, to westernise the planet". American philoso (Source: "What is 'Post-Communism’? Democracy VS Communism • Democracy: “the West is on the right path. I don't believe it has much to learn from other cultures. We should aim to expand, to westernise the planet". American philosopher Richard Rorty (1931-2007) (cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.65) • "Is democracy a desirable political ideal? Might it even be a universal")
34. Study this source detail: political ideal? Might it even be a universal norm? Or is it just one of the those grubby little values that jostles for our attention, dazzles us with its promises and - for a time - cons us into believing that it is no (Source: "political ideal? Might it even be a universal norm? Or is it just one of the those grubby little values that jostles for our attention, dazzles us with its promises and - for a time - cons us into believing that it is not a mask for power, a mask for power, a tool useful in the struggle by some for mastery over others?" (Keane 2004-2005: 1 cited in")
35. Study this source detail: over others?" (Keane 2004-2005: 1 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.65-66). • “Understanding postcommunism requires to tackle both political arrangements and culture as a source of values that might be in contrast with the polit (Source: "over others?" (Keane 2004-2005: 1 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.65-66). • “Understanding postcommunism requires to tackle both political arrangements and culture as a source of values that might be in contrast with the political arrangements.” (Lanczi, 2007, p.66, bald added). • Can post-communism be reconciled with democratic norms? (Lanczi, 2007, p.66).")
36. Study this source detail: with democratic norms? (Lanczi, 2007, p.66). What is 'Post-Communism’? • "Postcommunism has both a universal and a specific meaning. In the universal sense, postcommunism suggests that the fall of the communist regimes c (Source: "with democratic norms? (Lanczi, 2007, p.66). What is 'Post-Communism’? • "Postcommunism has both a universal and a specific meaning. In the universal sense, postcommunism suggests that the fall of the communist regimes changed the political and political philosophical terrain not just in the countries directly affected but everywhere else as well - we")
37. Study this source detail: affected but everywhere else as well - we are, from this perspective, all postcommunists now.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • More specifically, postcommunism refers "to the 27 countries in Euroasia that (Source: "affected but everywhere else as well - we are, from this perspective, all postcommunists now.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • More specifically, postcommunism refers "to the 27 countries in Euroasia that at some point were part of the post-war communist order“. (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a")
38. Study this source detail: in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progress (Source: "in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • "losing the economic contest between the West and East", "democracy deficit", "no respect for human rights”, natural")
39. Study this source detail: "no respect for human rights”, natural development of the communist regimes leaving totalitarianism behind, etc. • Internalist/self-understanding view: • “Illegitimate wielding and abuse of power from the scratch, lack o (Source: ""no respect for human rights”, natural development of the communist regimes leaving totalitarianism behind, etc. • Internalist/self-understanding view: • “Illegitimate wielding and abuse of power from the scratch, lack of authority, loss of communist identity, growing doubt concerning superiority of communism over Western democracy, inhuman nature of")
40. Study this source detail: over Western democracy, inhuman nature of forced modernisation, struggle for independence and identity of the individual, communism is equal with fascism; and most emphatically, communism fatally ignored human nature as (Source: "over Western democracy, inhuman nature of forced modernisation, struggle for independence and identity of the individual, communism is equal with fascism; and most emphatically, communism fatally ignored human nature as such.” (Lanczi, 2007, pp.71-72) What is the goal of post-communist transition? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • “catching up")
41. Study this source detail: view: • “catching up with the West, historical necessity rules, copying Western institutions and procedures (as if the West were monolithic), integration into Western economic, social and intellectual order, pragmatic ac (Source: "view: • “catching up with the West, historical necessity rules, copying Western institutions and procedures (as if the West were monolithic), integration into Western economic, social and intellectual order, pragmatic accommodation to the leading Western countries even at the expense of neglecting national interests.” •")
42. Study this source detail: expense of neglecting national interests.” • Internalist/self-understanding view: • “reclaiming freedom, restoring traditions and communal life, identity including national independence, defining national interest, found (Source: "expense of neglecting national interests.” • Internalist/self-understanding view: • “reclaiming freedom, restoring traditions and communal life, identity including national independence, defining national interest, founding a state, establishing a great variety of communities including religious, artistic, educational etc. societies, providing a new concept")
43. Study this source detail: educational etc. societies, providing a new concept of social man [sic] offering new ideas of social manners, taste and social communication, taking up conflicts for defending national interests.” (Lanczi, 2007, p.72) Is (Source: "educational etc. societies, providing a new concept of social man [sic] offering new ideas of social manners, taste and social communication, taking up conflicts for defending national interests.” (Lanczi, 2007, p.72) Is the word 'post-communism’ still relevant? • In much of the former Soviet Union, “democracy has proved elusive. With the exception,")
44. Study this source detail: has proved elusive. With the exception, principally, of the Baltic states, hybrid regimes or ‘electoral authoritarianism’ have been the norm.” • “China, for its part, remains an authoritarian state without even the ‘elec (Source: "has proved elusive. With the exception, principally, of the Baltic states, hybrid regimes or ‘electoral authoritarianism’ have been the norm.” • “China, for its part, remains an authoritarian state without even the ‘electoral’ qualifier. It is, nevertheless, a hybrid regime in the sense that its economy is no longer, by any stretch of the imagination,")
45. Study this source detail: is no longer, by any stretch of the imagination, Communist whereas its political structures surely are.” • “For a majority of the formerly Communist states in the post-Soviet space and for the party-state capitalist hybr (Source: "is no longer, by any stretch of the imagination, Communist whereas its political structures surely are.” • “For a majority of the formerly Communist states in the post-Soviet space and for the party-state capitalist hybrids in Asia, many of the assumptions made and the methods used in the study of democratic politics appear inappropriate. There remains a")
46. Study this source detail: politics appear inappropriate. There remains a pressing need for attention both to the historical legacies of the Communist past and to the local specificities of regimes and societies.” (p.264, bald added) Additional So (Source: "politics appear inappropriate. There remains a pressing need for attention both to the historical legacies of the Communist past and to the local specificities of regimes and societies.” (p.264, bald added) Additional Sources • Journals on the subject • Communist and Post-Communist Studies (https://online.ucpress.edu/cpcs) • Problems of Post-Communism")
47. Study this source detail: • Problems of Post-Communism (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/mppc20/current • Other sources • https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/12/europes-communist-regimes-began- collapse-years-ago-still-shape-political- (Source: "• Problems of Post-Communism (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/mppc20/current • Other sources • https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/12/europes-communist-regimes-began- collapse-years-ago-still-shape-political-views/ • https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/chinese-and-russian-border-disputes-are-dotted- lines-red-line If you don’t")
48. Study this source detail: 2026, ICES (Institut Catholique de Vendée) Kakhaber Kemoklidze kakhaberkemoklidze@gmail (Source: "2026, ICES (Institut Catholique de Vendée) Kakhaber Kemoklidze kakhaberkemoklidze@gmail")
49. Study this source detail: 2008 and current Status Quo; (Source: "2008 and current Status Quo;")
50. Study this source detail: ional experience within intelligence domain. Recommended readings: • ANDRÁS LÁNCZI (2007) "What is Postcommunism?" Society and Economy , April 2007, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 65-85 • Archie Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) (Source: "ional experience within intelligence domain. Recommended readings: • ANDRÁS LÁNCZI (2007) "What is Postcommunism?" Society and Economy , April 2007, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 65-85 • Archie Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist Politics”")
51. Study this source detail: 2023 Military Strength Ranking The finalized Global Firepower ranking below utilizes over 60 individual factors to determine a given nation's PowerIndex ('PwrIndx') score with categories ranging from quantity of military (Source: "2023 Military Strength Ranking The finalized Global Firepower ranking below utilizes over 60 individual factors to determine a given nation's PowerIndex ('PwrIndx') score with categories ranging from quantity of military units and financial standing to logistical capabilities and geography")
52. Study this source detail: 2020, 15 countries — members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and five regional partners — signed the RCEP, arguably the largest free trade agreement in history (Source: "2020, 15 countries — members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and five regional partners — signed the RCEP, arguably the largest free trade agreement in history")
53. Study this source detail: Navy admiral James Stavridis (2022) Largest Countries in the World • Top 10 Largest Countries in the World (by total area km²): 1 (Source: "Navy admiral James Stavridis (2022) Largest Countries in the World • Top 10 Largest Countries in the World (by total area km²): 1")
54. Study this source detail: 2026) Rank Country Population (approx (Source: "2026) Rank Country Population (approx")
55. Study this source detail: .) • Population Growth -0.2% (2021 est.) • Ethnicity Russian 77.7%, Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%, Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9% (2010 est.) • Language • Russian (official) 85.7%, (Source: ".) • Population Growth -0.2% (2021 est.) • Ethnicity Russian 77.7%, Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%, Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9% (2010 est.) • Language • Russian (official) 85.7%,")
56. Study this source detail: Petersburg, Sevastopol – written in Constitution / Chapter 3. The Federal Structure Article 65) The People's Republic of China The People's Republic of China GEOGRAPHY • Area Total: 9,596,960 sq km • Land: 9,326,410 sq k (Source: "Petersburg, Sevastopol – written in Constitution / Chapter 3. The Federal Structure Article 65) The People's Republic of China The People's Republic of China GEOGRAPHY • Area Total: 9,596,960 sq km • Land: 9,326,410 sq km • Water: 270,550 sq km PEOPLE & SOCIETY • Population 1.41 billion (July 2021 est.) • Population Growth 0.26% (2021 est.) • Ethnicity •...")
57. Study this source detail: ghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages • Religion • folk religion 21. (Source: "ghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages • Religion • folk religion 21.")
58. Study this source detail: Map of China with Administrative Divisions Geographic Distribution of China's National Minorities 1. Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 2. Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 3. Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture 4. Hai (Source: "Map of China with Administrative Divisions Geographic Distribution of China's National Minorities 1. Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture 2. Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 3. Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture 4. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 5. Huangna Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 6. Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 7. Guoluo Tibetan Auto...")
59. Study this source detail: Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 7. Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 8. Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 9. Haixi Mongolian, Tibetan, Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 10. Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture (Source: "Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 7. Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 8. Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 9. Haixi Mongolian, Tibetan, Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 10. Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 11. Kizilsu Khalkhas Autonomous Prefecture 12. Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture 13. Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 14. Ili Kaz...")
60. Study this source detail: Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture 25. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 26. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 27. Dehong Dai, Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 28. Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture 29. Degen Tibetan Au (Source: "Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture 25. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 26. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 27. Dehong Dai, Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 28. Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture 29. Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture • Population Why study 'Post-Communism’? What is 'Post-Communism’? • Different spellings • Post-Communism • post-Comm...")
61. Study this source detail: 1818-1883) socialism and Marxism-Leninism (Vladimir Ilyitch Ulyanov 1870-1924) that was the official ideology of the U (Source: "1818-1883) socialism and Marxism-Leninism (Vladimir Ilyitch Ulyanov 1870-1924) that was the official ideology of the U")
62. Study this source detail: or occurring after the decline or end of communism • Difficulties of defining the term • “rival concepts”: • "Eastern European societies“ • "ex-Soviet block countries“ • "post-totalitarianism“ • "new democracies“ • "East (Source: "or occurring after the decline or end of communism • Difficulties of defining the term • “rival concepts”: • "Eastern European societies“ • "ex-Soviet block countries“ • "post-totalitarianism“ • "new democracies“ • "Eastern European transition” • Etc. • “one common")
63. Study this source detail: very.” (Lanczi, 2007, p.69) What is 'Post-Communism’? Democracy VS Communism • Democracy: “the West is on the right path. I don't believe it has much to learn from other cultures. We should aim to expand, to westernise t (Source: "very.” (Lanczi, 2007, p.69) What is 'Post-Communism’? Democracy VS Communism • Democracy: “the West is on the right path. I don't believe it has much to learn from other cultures. We should aim to expand, to westernise the planet". American philosopher Richard Rorty (1931-2007) (cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.65) • "Is democracy a desirable political ideal? Mig...")
64. Study this source detail: by some for mastery over others?" (Keane 2004-2005: 1 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.65-66). • “Understanding postcommunism requires to tackle both political arrangements and culture as a source of values that might be in con (Source: "by some for mastery over others?" (Keane 2004-2005: 1 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.65-66). • “Understanding postcommunism requires to tackle both political arrangements and culture as a source of values that might be in contrast with the political arrangements.” (Lanczi, 2007, p.66, bald added). • Can post-communism be reconciled with democratic norms? (Lanc...")
65. Study this source detail: the 27 countries in Euroasia that at some point were part of the post-war communist order“. (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its (Source: "the 27 countries in Euroasia that at some point were part of the post-war communist order“. (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive”")
66. Study this source detail: 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • "losing the economic contest between the West and East", "democracy deficit", "no respect for human rights”, (Source: "1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • "losing the economic contest between the West and East", "democracy deficit", "no respect for human rights”, natural development of the communist regim")
67. Study this source detail: anczi, 2007, pp.71-72) What is the goal of post-communist transition? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • “catching up with the West, historical necessity rules, copying Western institutions and procedures (as if t (Source: "anczi, 2007, pp.71-72) What is the goal of post-communist transition? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • “catching up with the West, historical necessity rules, copying Western institutions and procedures (as if the West were monolithic), integration into")
68. Study this source detail: p.72) Is the word 'post-communism’ still relevant? • In much of the former Soviet Union, “democracy has proved elusive. With the exception, principally, of the Baltic states, hybrid regimes or ‘electoral authoritarianism (Source: "p.72) Is the word 'post-communism’ still relevant? • In much of the former Soviet Union, “democracy has proved elusive. With the exception, principally, of the Baltic states, hybrid regimes or ‘electoral authoritarianism’ have been the norm.” • “China, for its part, remains an authoritarian state without even the ‘electoral’ qualifier. It is, nevertheless...")
69. Study this source detail: res surely are.” • “For a majority of the formerly Communist states in the post-Soviet space and for the party-state capitalist hybrids in Asia, many of the assumptions made and the methods used in the study of (Source: "res surely are.” • “For a majority of the formerly Communist states in the post-Soviet space and for the party-state capitalist hybrids in Asia, many of the assumptions made and the methods used in the study of")
70. Study this source detail: 2019/11/12/europes-communist-regimes-began- collapse-years-ago-still-shape-political-views/ (Source: "2019/11/12/europes-communist-regimes-began- collapse-years-ago-still-shape-political-views/")
71. Study this source detail: Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Extern (Source: "Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • "losing the economic contest between the")
72. Study this source detail: Dehong Dai, Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 28. Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture 29. Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture • Population Why study 'Post-Communism’? What is 'Post-Communism’? • Different spellings • Post-Comm (Source: "Dehong Dai, Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 28. Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture 29. Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture • Population Why study 'Post-Communism’? What is 'Post-Communism’? • Different spellings • Post-Communism • post-Communism • postcommunism • Different definitions ‘Communism’ and ‘Post-Communism’: Merriam-Webster Dictionary • Essential M...")
73. Study this source detail: 1931-2007) (cited in Lanczi, 2007, p (Source: "1931-2007) (cited in Lanczi, 2007, p")
74. Study this source detail: 2004-2005: 1 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp (Source: "2004-2005: 1 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp")
75. Study this source detail: Recommended readings: • ANDRÁS LÁNCZI (2007) "What is Postcommunism?" Society and Economy , April 2007, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 65-85 • Archie Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist P (Source: "Recommended readings: • ANDRÁS LÁNCZI (2007) "What is Postcommunism?" Society and Economy , April 2007, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 65-85 • Archie Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist Politics” in Christopher Hood, Desmond King, and Gillian Peel")
76. Study this source detail: 2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist Politics” in Christopher Hood, Desmond King, and Gillian Peele (eds (Source: "2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist Politics” in Christopher Hood, Desmond King, and Gillian Peele (eds")
77. Study this source detail: 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p (Source: "1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p")
78. Study this source detail: 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp (Source: "1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp")
79. Study this source detail: 3. The Federal Structure Article 65) The People's Republic of China The People's Republic of China GEOGRAPHY • Area Total: 9,596,960 sq km • Land: 9,326,410 sq km • Water: 270,550 sq km PEOPLE & SOCIETY • Population 1 (Source: "3. The Federal Structure Article 65) The People's Republic of China The People's Republic of China GEOGRAPHY • Area Total: 9,596,960 sq km • Land: 9,326,410 sq km • Water: 270,550 sq km PEOPLE & SOCIETY • Population 1")
80. Study this source detail: 69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • "losin (Source: "69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • "losing the economic contest between the West and East", "democrac")
81. Study this source detail: ere part of the post-war communist order“. (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, (Source: "ere part of the post-war communist order“. (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007, p.69) • Is it “by definition a negative concept”? • “defining the present in terms of its past.” (Sakwa, 1999: 3 cited in Lanczi, 2007,")
82. Study this source detail: zi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • "losing the economic contest between the West and East", "democracy deficit", "no respect for human rights”, natural development o (Source: "zi, 2007, pp.69-70) Why did communism collapse? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • "losing the economic contest between the West and East", "democracy deficit", "no respect for human rights”, natural development of the communist regimes leaving totalitarianism behind, etc. • Internalist/self-under")
83. Study this source detail: nomy , April 2007, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 65-85 • Archie Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist Politics” in Christopher Hood, Desmond King, and Gillian Peele (eds.) Forging a Discip (Source: "nomy , April 2007, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 65-85 • Archie Brown and Stephen Whitefield (2014) “The Study of Communist and Post- Communist Politics” in Christopher Hood, Desmond King, and Gillian Peele (eds.) Forging a Discipline: A Critical Assessment of Oxford's Development of the Study of Politics and In")
84. Study this source detail: 29. Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture • Population Why study 'Post-Communism’ (Source: "29. Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture • Population Why study 'Post-Communism’")
85. Study this source detail: Can post-communism be reconciled with democratic norms? (Lanczi, 2007, p.66). What is 'Post-Communism’? • "Postcommunism has both a universal and a specific meaning. In the universal sense, postcommunism suggests that th (Source: "Can post-communism be reconciled with democratic norms? (Lanczi, 2007, p.66). What is 'Post-Communism’? • "Postcommunism has both a universal and a specific meaning. In the universal sense, postcommunism suggests that the fall of the communist regimes changed the political and po")
86. Study this source detail: 71-72) What is the goal of post-communist transition? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • “catching up with the West, historical necessity rules, copying Western institutions and procedures (as if the West were mon (Source: "71-72) What is the goal of post-communist transition? • Externa/Universal/“Progressive” view: • “catching up with the West, historical necessity rules, copying Western institutions and procedures (as if the West were monolithic), integration into Western economic, social and inte")
87. Study this source detail: 72) Is the word 'post-communism’ still relevant? • In much of the former Soviet Union, “democracy has proved elusive. With the exception, principally, of the Baltic states, hybrid regimes or ‘electoral authoritarianism’ (Source: "72) Is the word 'post-communism’ still relevant? • In much of the former Soviet Union, “democracy has proved elusive. With the exception, principally, of the Baltic states, hybrid regimes or ‘electoral authoritarianism’ have been the norm.” • “China, for its part, remains an auth")
88. Study this source detail: 2030 it could generate $209 billion income per year, and$500 billion trade worldwide (Source: "2030 it could generate $209 billion income per year, and$500 billion trade worldwide")
89. Study this source detail: nd Post-Communist Studies (https://online.ucpress.edu/cpcs) • Problems of Post-Communism (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/mppc20/current • Other sources • https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/12/europes-commun (Source: "nd Post-Communist Studies (https://online.ucpress.edu/cpcs) • Problems of Post-Communism (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/mppc20/current • Other sources • https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/12/europes-communist-regimes-began- collapse-years-ag")
90. Study this source detail: blems of Post-Communism (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/mppc20/current • Other sources • https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/12/europes-communist-regimes-began- collapse-years-ago-still-shape-political-views (Source: "blems of Post-Communism (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/mppc20/current • Other sources • https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/12/europes-communist-regimes-began- collapse-years-ago-still-shape-political-views/ • https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/chinese-and-russian-border-dispute")
91. Study this source detail: 2007) "What is Postcommunism (Source: "2007) "What is Postcommunism")
92. Study this source detail: Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture 4. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 5. Huangna Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 6. Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 7. Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 8. Yushu Tibetan Autonomou (Source: "Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture 4. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 5. Huangna Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 6. Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 7. Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 8. Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 9. Haixi Mongolian, Tibetan, Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 10. Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 11. Kizilsu Khalkha...")
93. Study this source detail: Haixi Mongolian, Tibetan, Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 10. Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 11. Kizilsu Khalkhas Autonomous Prefecture 12. Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture 13. Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Pref (Source: "Haixi Mongolian, Tibetan, Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 10. Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 11. Kizilsu Khalkhas Autonomous Prefecture 12. Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture 13. Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 14. Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 15. Xiangxi Tujia, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 16. Haina Li, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 17. Ab...")
94. Study this source detail: Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture 13. Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 14. Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 15. Xiangxi Tujia, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 16. Haina Li, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 17. Aba (Ngawa) Ti (Source: "Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture 13. Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture 14. Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture 15. Xiangxi Tujia, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 16. Haina Li, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 17. Aba (Ngawa) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 18. Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 19. Liangsha Yi Autonomous Prefecture 20. Qiandongnan Miao, Dong Auto...")
95. Study this source detail: Xiangxi Tujia, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 16. Haina Li, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 17. Aba (Ngawa) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 18. Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 19. Liangsha Yi Autonomous Prefecture 20. Qiandongn (Source: "Xiangxi Tujia, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 16. Haina Li, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 17. Aba (Ngawa) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 18. Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 19. Liangsha Yi Autonomous Prefecture 20. Qiandongnan Miao, Dong Autonomous Prefecture 21. Qiannan Bouyei, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 22. Wenshan Zhuang, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 23. Hon...")
96. Study this source detail: Qiannan Bouyei, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 22. Wenshan Zhuang, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 23. Honghe Hani, Yi Autonomous Prefecture 24. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture 25. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 26. Ch (Source: "Qiannan Bouyei, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 22. Wenshan Zhuang, Miao Autonomous Prefecture 23. Honghe Hani, Yi Autonomous Prefecture 24. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture 25. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 26. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 27. Dehong Dai, Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 28. Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture 29. Degen Tibetan Aut...")

📅 Key Dates

Date	Event
2008	Russia's invasion of Georgia
1992	Establishment of CSTO
2018	China's Belt and Road Initiative
2020	Regional security dynamics in South Caucasus
2021	Russian population estimate
2022	Russia's natural resources and influence

📊 Synthesis Tables

Geostrategic Interests of Russia and China

Country	Interest Area
Russia	Regional influence in Europe, Central Asia, Caucasus
China	Belt and Road Initiative, regional security

Military Cooperation and Security Challenges

Organization	Members
CSTO	Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan
SCO	China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

⚠️ Common Pitfalls & Confusions

1. Confusing Russia's regional influence with its military alliances.
2. Assuming all ethnic minorities in China have the same religious beliefs.
3. Overgeneralizing the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on regional security.
4. Mixing up administrative divisions with ethnic compositions in Russia.
5. Ignoring the internal diversity within ethnic minorities in China.
6. Misinterpreting the causes of post-communist transitions.
7. Overlooking the differences between externalist and internalist views on communism's collapse.

✅ Exam Checklist

1. Identify Russia's key geostrategic interests in the South Caucasus.
2. Describe China's security initiatives in the context of regional stability.
3. Explain the role of CSTO and SCO in regional security cooperation.
4. Outline the administrative divisions within Russia and their ethnic compositions.
5. List major ethnic minorities in China and their religious affiliations.
6. Discuss the debates surrounding post-communism and its conceptual frameworks.
7. Compare democracy and communism in the context of post-communist states.
8. Analyze the goals and challenges faced during post-communist transitions.
9. Assess the contemporary relevance of post-communism in former regimes.