Chapter 1. General Character of the Society 1

2. Historical Setting 9 Early History--Turkish Rule--The Rise of Nationalism --Liberation and Its Aftermath--World War I--The Interwar Years--World War II--The Communist State

3. Physical Environment and Population 37 Natural Features--Boundaries and Political Subdivisions--Settlement Patterns--Population-- Transportation

4. Social System 65 Ethnic and Religious Composition--The Family--Social Stratification--Other Social Groups

5. Living Conditions 79 Health--Personal Income and Expenditures--Housing-- Social Benefits--Work and Leisure

6. Education 93 History of Education--Communist Educational Policies --Educational Reforms--Literacy--The Educational System--Teacher Training--Other Education

7. Artistic and Intellectual Expression 123 The Arts and Sciences under Communism--Literature-- Theater--Films--Music--Folk Arts--Painting and Sculpture--Architecture --Scholarship and Science

SECTION II. POLITICAL

8. Governmental System 137 Constitutional Evolution--Structure and Function of the Government--Judicial Procedure--The Electoral Procedure

9. Political Dynamics 153 Major Political Developments, 1965-71--The Bulgarian Communist Party--The Bulgarian Agrarian Union--Mass Organizations

10. Foreign Relations 171 Determinants of Foreign Policy--Conduct of Foreign Affairs--International Relations--Membership in Regional and International Organizations

11. Mass Communications 183 Background--Objectives of Mass Communications-- Freedom of Information--Administration of the Mass Communications System--Themes of the Media--The Press--Radio--Television--Publishing--Libraries--Films

SECTION III. ECONOMIC

12. Character and Structure of the Economy 203 Organization--Structure and Growth--Labor--Investment --Budget--Banking and Currency--Foreign Trade

13. Agriculture 225 Climate and Soils--Land Use--Organization--Planning and Management--Labor and Wages--Investment and Mechanization--Marketing--Production

14. Industry 249 Organization and Structure--Fuels and Power--Raw Materials--Investment--Labor--Production

SECTION IV. NATIONAL SECURITY

15. Public Order and Security 269 Internal Security--Civil Defense--Public Order-- Crime and Justice

16. Armed Forces 287 Historical Background--Governmental and Party Control Over the Armed Forces--Organization and Mission--Foreign Military Relations--Manpower, Training, and Support--The Military Establishment and the National Economy

BIBLIOGRAPHY 301

GLOSSARY 317

INDEX 319

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure Page

1 Bulgaria xiv

2 Topography of Bulgaria 39

3 Political Subdivisions of Bulgaria, 1973 51

4 Communications Systems of Bulgaria, 1973 60

5 The Bulgarian School System, 1973 111

6 Bulgaria, Structure of Government, 1973 144

7 Bulgaria, Organization of the Council of Ministers, 1973 146

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1 Bulgaria, Population by Age and Sex, 1973 Estimate 39

2 Use of Transportation Facilities in Bulgaria, 1960 and 1970 61

3 Bulgaria, Percentage Distribution of Household Expenditures by Population Group, 1962 and 1971 85

4 Bulgaria, Actual and Desired Annual Consumption Levels 87

5 Bulgaria, Percentage of Housing Units Equipped with Various Amenities, December 1965 89

6 Number of Schools in Bulgaria, Selected Years, 1938-70 101

7 Number of Students in Bulgaria, Selected School Years, 1938-70 101

8 Number of Teachers in Bulgaria, Selected School Years, 1938-70 102

9 Number and Proportion of Students in Various Bulgarian University Faculties, Selected Years, 1939-71 114

10 Bulgaria, Newspaper Circulation by Frequency of Issue, 1971 192

11 Bulgaria, Circulation of Newspapers and Periodicals, Selected Years, 1939-71 193

12 Bulgaria, Number of Radio Stations and Subscribers, Selected Years, 1939-71 194

13 Bulgaria, Book and Pamphlet Publication, 1971 198

14 Libraries in Bulgaria, 1971 200

15 Bulgaria, Films Produced and Translated, Selected Years, 1939-71 201

16 Bulgaria, Production of Major Crops, Annual Average, Selected Years, 1958-60 to 1966-70, and 1970 242

17 Bulgaria, Livestock Numbers, Selected Years, 1948-72 244

18 Bulgaria, Production of Meat, Selected Years, 1948-71 247

19 Bulgaria, Production of Milk, Eggs and Wool, Selected Years, 1960-71 247

20 Output of Selected Industrial Products in Bulgaria, Selected Years, 1960-71 266

SECTION I. SOCIAL