These wars set in motion immense changes in the East, and laid the ground for communism to emerge and expand. But while the history of the millennium now passing is punctuated by wars and conquests, as it ends, there is a promise of change. There is growing conviction in the region that the era of dominant empires is receding. As new independent national states proliferate, a nascent, determined movement toward liberal democracy emerges. The nations of East and Central Europe seem more open to positive international influences than at any time in the last thousand years.
Economies expand, albeit unevenly and often painfully slowly.
The quality of life improves, though not at the same pace for all. Perfection remains out of sight, but progress is in view.