Samir Amin and Eastern Europe

Abstract

This debate discusses four aspects of Samir Amin's thoughts regarding Eastern Europe: Amin's overall evaluation of the Soviet bloc; the relevance of his concepts on the centrality of the periphery; the 'long transition to socialism'; and the role of nationalism and Eurocentrism in Eastern Europe. The author concludes that Eastern Europe does not fit into the historical role of the periphery as understood by Amin, and that the Eurocentric nationalism of the region serves to promote global capitalism instead of helping to further the anti-capitalist struggle.