Albania: Communism, capitalism, chaos

Angela Barnes and John O’Farrell bring us more ridiculous history facts and a less-than serious romp through an event from the past.

This time: How one small country in Europe lurched suddenly from hardline Stalinism to Disaster Capitalism, and then gave everyone guns and said ‘Oh sort it out yourselves’.

Albania has suffered a stormy history of dictatorships, a king called Zog and being economically choked by the iron grip of mass pyramids schemes which provided false hope to millions.

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“King Zog wasn’t royal he just decided to be king” – Angela Barnes

“None of the books I read have any of these titbits” – John O’Farrell

“Albania had the illusion of democracy, the homeopathy of democracy” – Angela Barnes

“This is the biggest understatement you've ever written in your notes, John; ‘not an ideal situation” – Angela Barnes

Reading List: Free by Lea Ypi 

A Concise History of Albania by Bernd J. Fischer and Oliver Jens Schmitt

Modern Albania From Dictatorship To Democracy in Europe by Fred C Abrahams.

We Are History is written and presented by Angela Barnes and John O’Farrell. Audio production by Simon Williams and artwork by James Parrett. Lead Producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Group Editor is Andrew Harrison. We Are History is a Podmasters Production.

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