Panel discussion VI: Local Historic Blocs II: Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia
Channel: Inštitut za delavske študije
Date: 2014-05-07

Madlen Nikolova: The 'Creative Class' and the Reproduction of the Neoliberal Ideology in Bulgaria

Florin Poenaru: Class Struggle in Romania in Historical Perspective

Kire Vasilev: Macedonia, the 'Non-Integrated' Periphery of Europe
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After the fall of state socialism in Eastern Europe, the liberal capitalist socio-economic formation was adopted by countries in the region. This panel discussion will focus on class differentiations as they have been formed during capitalist restoration in Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania.

The presentation dedicated to Macedonia will consider the correlation between the structural reforms of the Macedonian society and the vast class differences that have emerged after these reforms were implemented on the Macedonian way to the so-called European integration. The case of Bulgaria will address the relationship between the reproduction of the neoliberal consensus and the formation of the so-called creative class in contemporary Bulgaria. Finally, the Romanian road to liberal capitalism will be viewed in its historical context, highlighting the class and capitalist character of the communist societies themselves in keeping with their developmentalist logic.

This panel discussion aims to provide in-depth analyses of class relations for the three countries. The purpose of the presentations is to unveil the class antagonisms and inequalities in these societies in order to help create the conditions for progressive political practice.