CONTEMPORARY GREECE: HOPES AND REALITIES

This comprehensive analysis examines the political and economic development of contemporary Greece during the early 1980s, analyzing the transition from military rule to democratic governance and the challenges of European integration. The article explores the hopes generated by the restoration of democracy and the socialist electoral victory of 1981, contrasting these with the economic and political realities facing the country. The research investigates Greece's recent accession to the European Economic Community and analyzes the implications for economic development, political sovereignty, and regional relations. The study examines domestic political dynamics, including the consolidation of democratic institutions, party system evolution, and civil-military relations. The article assesses economic challenges including inflation, public debt, structural reforms, and the modernization of agriculture and industry. The research also evaluates Greece's foreign policy reorientation, including relations with NATO, neighboring countries, and the broader Mediterranean region. Furthermore, the analysis considers the prospects for democratic consolidation and sustainable development in the Greek context.

Contemporary Greece represented a fascinating case of democratic transition and European integration, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of its development in the early 1980s. The research begins by examining the historical context of modern Greece, tracing the legacy of civil war, military dictatorship, and the restoration of democracy in 1974. The analysis explores the political transformation following the 1981 electoral victory of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), analyzing how this represented both continuity and change in Greek politics. The article investigates Greece's accession to the European Economic Community in 1981, assessing the economic opportunities and adjustment challenges presented by European integration. The study examines domestic political dynamics, including the consolidation of democratic institutions, evolution of party competition, management of civil-military relations, and addressing historical divisions. The research assesses economic challenges, analyzing high inflation rates, growing public debt, structural inefficiencies, and the modernization requirements for agriculture, industry, and services. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article analyzes the gap between initial hopes following democratic restoration and socialist victory and the complex realities of governance and development. The findings provide valuable insights into the challenges of democratic consolidation in newly restored democracies and contribute to understanding how European integration affects domestic political and economic development in peripheral member states.