Bulgaria : history and postcommunist transition

Abstract

This thesis analyses establishment and transition of Bulgaria in chronological order, starting from the emergence of an independent Bulgarian kingdom in the Balkans to modem Bulgaria, mainly elabor^ing changes in the social-political, economic and foreign policy dimensions. The thesis aims to give a general perspective of today’s developing democratic Bulgaria, shedding light on critical turning points in history, the tragedies of Bulgaria in the conflictual environment of the Balkans, and recent events, which flindamentally changed the direction, and nature of the cotmtry. This study claims that the transition has been extraordinary and exemplary for many reasons including the absence of ethnic unrest, rapid economic developments and peaceful active foreign policy. Moreover, the thesis points out the tolerant stmcture of Ottoman governance, and the peaceful, acquiescent, and faithful character of the Turkish minority, explaining their important role in the peaceful transition of the country.