John Bachtler is one of the editors of a new book on regional development in Central and Eastern Europe.
The book, jointly edited with Grzegorz Gorzelak and Maciej Smetkowski, provides an up-to-date assessment of the main processes and dilemmas of regional development and regional policy in the newer European Union Member States in Central and Eastern Europe and neighbouring countries.
It highlights the difficulties of balancing the demands within the new Member States for rapid regional growth and development with, firstly, the demands of the European Union that restructuring and development should conform to the aims and principles of EU common policies; and, secondly, with budgetary constraints.
The book covers a wide range of issues, including global and national challenges to regional convergence and cohesion; regional dynamics, city networks and border issues; the effectiveness of policy responses at national and European levels, including an assessment of policy experiences from outside the new Member States; and likely future developments.
Publication details: 'Regional Development in Central and Eastern Europe: Development Processes and Policy Challenges', edited by Grzegorz Gorzelak, John Bachtler and Maciej Smetkowski, Routledge Contemporary Russia and Eastern Europe Series, 2010, 338pp. ISBN: 978-0-415-57136-4.
The book can be ordered here.