The CIS handbook

Abstract:

One of the series Regional Handbooks of Economic Development: prospects onto the 21st century, this covers the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The CIS is a regional international institution made up of successor states to the former Soviet Union. It was founded in December 1991 by the newly independent states of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. These founders were quickly joined by eight other Soviet successor states, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Georgia joined in 1993. Aimed at students, scholars and the general public alike, the goal of the book is to discuss a defined range of facts and issues as concisely, accessibly and evenhandedly as possible. The book begins by putting the CIS into context, first looking at the Soviet Economy 1945-91, second the CIS as an international institution, i.e. its beginnings, development and effectiveness, and third, aspects of economic development in the CIS. The following chapters under the heading Reforms and Prospects look at the individual countries, examining areas such as the economy, social issues, security policy, political developments and regional issues. Most chapters include tables of economic statistics and each chapter ends with a list of further reading. The third section, Economic and Social Issues, includes chapters on energy and raw materials, change and continuity in manufacturing, financial services and social divisions in CIS countries. The final section, International Relations, looks at the relations between Russia and East Asia, CIS countries and the United States and with European Countries.

A great deal of useful information is to be found in the appendices to the handbook: a chronology, glossary, a listing of the major personalities involved giving biographical details, a listing of political and economic institutions, ethnic groups in the countries concerned and a bibliography and index.