Germany has two different perspectives from the Eastern and Western ways. It’s similar to the North and South here in America, not exactly but there are some similarities. There are parts of Germany that still have the Eastern block persuasions and ideologies. Germany like all of Europe had a push and pull of how it wanted to run during and post communistic times.
Communism still has footholds in some areas that have never completely recovered from its past. With most of the population in Eastern Europe from the Western side of Russia makes it seem like there still are many parts of the communist community. Most, probably don’t realize that Russia wanted to change the ways of their government and strive for better human treatment but was pushed into defending itself from Nazi Germany. This, I’m sure slowed the process of a better Russia and a better Eastern block.
While living in Germany I traveled a lot but never seem to make it to any eastern block countries. Not that I didn’t want to see the differences, but I just always picked somewhere else. My wife went to Poland for shopping trips and always had good things to say about the communities and shopping districts. These countries have changed and became areas that are flourishing, which is a big change from the dark, gloomy and poor images that most people think of.
Eastern Europe is ever changing and is considered no different from Western Europe now but the hard core communist thoughts and ideas from old leadership and hierarchy still shows in some areas in and around these countries.
Moran, R. T., Harris, P. R., & Moran, S. V. (2011). Managing cultural differences: Global leadership strategies for cross-cultural business success (8th ed.). Oxford: Routledge.
Christopher Lee Van Wagner says
You are absolutely correct – there are many areas of Eastern Europe which still fall under a Communist guise. During my investigation for this week’s lesson post I found the reason that Russia (Soviet Union) occupied so many Eastern European countries, and as it runs out it initially took place for self-preservation of Soviet life. Many of the areas they kept control of after World War II were paths that historically provided enemies with access to Russia. In an effort to control another attack on the homeland they kept a perimeter using Eastern Europe.
Although it was written over half a century ago, The Annals of the American Academy of Politics, Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe written by C E Black gives and excellent description of this process.
After being occupied by Soviets for 50 plus years it will take some time for these once down trodden countries to regain their foothold and flourish as free countries.
Reference:
Black, C E, May 1949, The Annals of the American Academy of Politics, Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe, retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1027290?uid=3739600&uid=2134&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21106511836803