TENDENCIES IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT OF BULGARIA (1878-1990)

Bulgaria's administrative territorial organization since its re-emergence (1878) is analyzed in relation to patterns of socioeconomic development. Two main periods of administrative territorial practice are identified according to the duration of the respective socioeconomic systems - capitalism and socialism. Paradoxically, the years of 'free market 'development were characterized by a tendency toward territorial centralization. On the other hand, during most of the socialist period there was tendency towards decentralization. The latter is interpreted as a result of administrative territorial reforms seeking to counteract centralization tendencies under the Soviet-type central planning system.