Fully updated to take account of new material and events since the publication of the second edition, this new edition of Geoffrey and Nigel Swain's essential textbook traces the different patterns emerging in Central Europe and the Balkans. The authors draw a distinction between those countries where democracy and pluralism appear firmly established since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and those where they do not. In order to have contemporary relevance, the history of modern Europe must now include the rise and subsequent demise of the east-west division of the continent.