This volume gathers from the remarkable 1989-2014 period, which spans the tumult of the revolution to the consolidation of new regimes, key lessons for post-communist democratic theory and practice. Written in an accessible style but based on rigorous research, this volume will be of interest for both academic and larger audiences.

Table of Content Preface – Paul E. Sum Introduction – Lavinia Stan Part I. Expectations for a Democratic Future and Worries about the Communist Past Chapter 1. The Start of a New Era? Romanians React to Ceauşescu’s Fall – Katherine Verdery Chapter 2. Coming to Terms with the Communist Past: Democracy and Memory in Romania –Marius Stan and Vladimir Tismaneanu Chapter 3. Public Space and the Material Legacies of Communism in Bucharest – Duncan Light and Craig Young Part II. Politics from Below: Identity, Civil Society, and the Media Chapter 4. Ethnicity, Nationalism and the ‘Minority Regime’ – Levente Salat and Csaba Zoltán Novak Chapter 5. On Women, Feminism and Democracy – Mihaela Miroiu Chapter 6. Political Culture and Participation: Between Enthusiasm and Indifference – Radu Cinpoes Chapter 7. Spectacular Alterations, Few Changes in Romania’s Media – Peter Gross Part III. Politics from Above: Representation, Parties, and Presidents Chapter 8. Representation, Incumbency and the Quality of Romanian Democracy – Ronald F. King and Cosmin Gabriel Marian Chapter 9. Unsocial Democrats: The PSD’s Negative Role in Romania’s Democracy – Tom Gallagher Chapter 10. House of Cards: The Presidency from Iliescu to Basescu – Lavinia Stan and Diane Vancea Part IV. The EU Factor: Accession, Rule of Law, and Human Rights Chapter 11. Romania's Commitment to the Rule of Law? – Dennis Deletant Chapter 12. Environmental Network Governance in Romania – Cristina E. Parau Conclusion – Monica Ciobanu