Örjan Sjöberg

Although a primary goal of communist states was stated to be the elimination of socioeconomic differences between rural and urban areas, the gap between countryside and city has remained large both in the USSR and in Eastern Europe generally. They have failed to integrate rural areas into the mainstream of economic development and social change, and in some states the rural-urban gap even appears to have widened. As part of an on-going research project designed to map and analyse these trends, this book surveys the least-known of the centrally planned economies of Eastern Europe, Albania. It provides a comprehensive overview of the geography and economics of Albania's post-war rural transformation and describes current living conditions in rural areas. Using the most recently released Albanian data, an assessment is made of the effectiveness of the nation's current social and economic policies and plans for reform are evaluated.

Provides a comprehensive overview of the geography and economics of Albania's postwar rural transformation and describes the current living conditions in rural areas. Outlines the historical background up to and including the Second World War. Details demographic developments and educational achievements since the mid-1940s. Sketches the policies devised for and strategies employed in economic development. Discusses employment and income opportunities in rural areas; the impact of the transition to nonagricultural employment; and subsidiary economic activities open to the peasantry. Assesses the quality of life of the Albanian rural population and suggests directions for further research. Sjoberg is affiliated with the Department of International Economics and Geography and with the Institute of Soviet and East European Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics.