There is a substantial amount of existing literature that focuses on the revolutionary events
of 1989 in East-Central Europe. Yet, there are few comparisons which apply a
comparative-historical approach to a small set of cases. A large body of existing literature
provides the ideal situation for a comparative-historical study. This thesis will test the
utility of applying a comparative-historical methodological approach to the events of 1989
in four countries in East-Central Europe. The four countries are paired into two cases. The
case of Poland and Hungary is compared with the case of Bulgaria and Romania. A
theoretical frame of reference is developed from previous comparative-historical studies of
revolutionary events, criticisms of them, and the general theoretical debates which they
generate. This frame of reference incorporates a broad range of variables, and is used to
inform the application of the method. Differences (and similarities) between the cases are
then investigated, and the utility of the method assessed. Additionally, the application of
the method allows some current theoretical and conceptual debates concerning the East-
Central European events to be confronted.
Part 1 of the thesis applies a comparative-historical method of analysis to the cases up to,
and including some aspects of the 1989 events. In Part 2, patterns of difference between the
cases are identified in terms of revolutionary forms and outcomes. Following the logic of
the method common factors are identified as potential contributing factors to the collapse
of communism, while patterns of difference suggest that the political, economic and social
"nature" of the communist systems had an impact on the forms of change and their
outcomes.
It is recognised that the comparative-historical approach utilised in this thesis has
limitations. However, the method is shown to be useful for identifying common factors
across cases, and significant variations between cases, which can generate potential
explanation, and provide better understanding of such revolutionary phenomena as that
which occurred in East-Central Europe in 1989.
The Sir Richard Stapely Education
Trust and the Vandervell Foundation