THE FUTURE OF EASTERN-EUROPE - LESSONS FROM THE THIRD-WORLD

Eastern European states are in a similar position to Third World count ries just after their independence. There are three main parallels: bo th groups have to live with colonial legacies, both have gained indepe ndence within an economic order that discriminates against the non-ind ustrialized countries, and both are marginalized from the centres of p olitical, economic and technological power. There is also one major di fference: Eastern Europe can lay legitimate claims to be part of the d ominant European civilization. On these assumptions, there are two pes simistic scenarios for the future of the ex-socialist European countri es, with the following conclusion: given the strong parallels, Eastern Europe is set, notwithstanding membership of the EC, to follow the cl assical patterns of Third World underdevelopment. As such, Eastern Eur opean countries should join hands with the Third World states to set a n agenda for genuine structural changes in the global economic system.