Albania's Bunker Country: Changes from Hoxha to the present day In 1990, there were many abandoned bunkers on the Albanian seashore. At that time, poverty and backwardness, there were no personal cars on the streets. Geographically, Albania should not be poor, they have a long history, but what has the country gone through?
Located in the Balkan Peninsula of Europe, Albania has an area of only 28,000 square kilometers and a population of 2.85 million, making it the poorest and most backward country in Europe.
In 1944, Albania was freed from fascist rule and declared its independence, and Enver Hoxha became the first leader of Albania after independence, beginning his 40-year rule.
Hoxha established a highly centralized government centered on himself, and in the early years of the state, Hoxha transformed the country. He confiscated foreign capital and the assets of the domestic bourgeoisie, nationalized them, and then nationalized natural resources such as minerals and water conservancy, as well as aviation, railways, banks, etc.
However, due to the trauma of war and oppression, Albania is in a mess in terms of economy, lack of funds and raw materials, and has to import 200,000 tons of food from abroad every year. Albania's industrialization process was extremely slow, and even the screws had to be imported.
It can be said that in the early days of the founding of Albania, it completely relied on the assistance of the Soviet Union. With the exception of the Soviet Union, Hoxha regarded the whole world as an enemy and believed that all countries could go to war against Albania, so he launched a campaign to "bunkerize Albania" at home.
Hoxha spent $175 million and a lot of manpower to build hundreds of thousands of pillboxes in the country, but this bunker movement was completely Hoxha's "murder paranoia", and these bunkers became a joke. Even more desperate, the $175 million, which was intended for industrial development, was wasted on building useless bunkers.
In the early 60s, Albania broke off diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, and Hoxha put his hopes on China. China has resolutely extended a helping hand to Albania with food, helped it develop its industry, and promoted its economic development, and China has provided at least $1 billion in aid to Albany every year.
However, by the end of the 70s, China's relations with Western countries had improved, and the reform and opening up of the country had begun to reduce aid to Albania. In response to this matter, Hoxha published a long article accusing and criticizing China, and China and Argentina broke off diplomatic relations.
Without China's aid, the Albanian people's lives were in dire straits, and they were deprived of even basic food. After Hoxha's death, Albania ushered in new opportunities and crises. In 1985, Alia took over as president and announced that he would unswervingly follow the path of "Hoxha".
However, faced with the mess left by Hoxha and the discontent of the common people, Alia had to make changes. He gradually broke the closed foreign policy, interacted and cooperated with countries with different systems, and improved relations with Eastern European countries.
Alia also gradually adjusted the collective economic system of the Hoxha period, and Albania seems to be getting better and better. However, Alia did not deeply solve the problems of the lives of the Albanian people and did not change the centralized rule.
People of insight in Albania began to launch a rebellion, and Western forces also took the opportunity to try to disrupt the situation in Albania. Albania fell into unprecedented chaos, with workers on strike, students on strike, and society spiraling out of control.
Violent elements took the opportunity to launch riots such as smashing and looting, halting factories and enterprises, and even destroying machinery and equipment. Albania seems to have become an anarchic country. The riots exacerbated the already wealthy Albania, causing severe economic losses, even worse than during World War II.
Albania's GDP fell by 10% in 1990 and by 35% in 1991! Inflation is as high as 600%! According to the Albanian Statistical Office, the country's GDP fell in 1991 by the largest in the previous 15 years.
Of Albania's 1,450 enterprises, 25%-30% have ceased production and are on the verge of bankruptcy, with 192,000 unemployed people. Albania's fiscal deficit in 1991 was 3.3 billion leks, and its external debt grew from $400 million to $800 million.
Albania has become the country in Eastern Europe with the worst GDP decline, the highest inflation and unemployment rate, and the future is dark. However, Albania did not give up, began comprehensive reform and opening up, received assistance from all over the world, and established economic exchanges with various countries. The Albanian economy is gradually recovering, albeit from a very low starting point.
Under the government's aggressive price and tax reforms, Albania's inflation was brought under control, the fiscal deficit fell significantly, and production began to gradually recover. Albania today has changed dramatically.
The economy has been privatized by 70 percent, every rural household has a new house, roads are available throughout the country, and the per capita GDP is as high as $5,500. Although Albania's economy still lags behind other economically developed European countries, its progress is obvious to the world.
Albania eventually survived the difficult situation and became a whole new country. However, Albania's development still faces many challenges, including raising the level of education, improving infrastructure and reducing poverty. The Albanian Government needs to continue its efforts to strengthen domestic and foreign cooperation and promote sustainable economic development.
Finally, let us consider a question: under the wave of globalization, how to maintain the independence and cultural characteristics of the country while achieving rapid economic development? Welcome to leave a message to share your views and ideas.