9405254 PICKLES This research will investigate the production of new political geographies in contemporary Bulgaria as that nation undergoes its transition from state socialism. Key to these new political geographies are the changing relations between political institutions, actors, and interests operating at different geographic scales (national/regional/local). This includes the distribution of political powers between national, regional, and local levels of governance. Also important for the new Bulgarian political geographies are the different mechanisms which are being developed at different spatial scales for apportioning, legitimizing, and utilizing political power. Utilizing ethnographic research techniques this research program will develop a detailed case study of local government change in Burgas obstina (county), Bulgaria. In-depth interviews, focus groups, survey research, and archival sources will be used in the research. This research will contribute new insights into the democratization process in Eastern Europe and will add to the literature in both geography and political science approaches to democratization. As a doctoral dissertation research improvement award, this project will also provide support to enable a promising student to establish a strong independent research career. ***
