Transition processes and integral cultural space development in Central and Eastern Europe: main problems and priorities

Purpose – The paper aims to evaluate the problems and theoretical characteristics of integral cultural space development in the context of transition processes in Central and Eastern Europe. Design/methodology/approach – The paper has used the outcomes of the research conducted over recent several years, dedicated to the diagnostics of the problems of transformations as well as economic and social development in Central and Eastern Europe with a special reference to the development of the integral cultural space. Findings – Major findings show that the creation and development of the integral cultural space in Europe is a very complex and controversial process, and in this course various problems and conflicts arise. Therefore, to encourage the creation of the integral cultural space in Europe appropriate cultural policies need to be implemented in Europe. These policies may embrace many priorities including the preservation of cultural diversity, adaptation and dissemination of integrated European dimensions and elimination of inappropriate factors within humanism and democracy of all European countries. Practical implications – For implementation of key priorities of cultural policies the use of a number of pan‐European scale special programmes is suggested. Originality/value – The new non‐traditional ideas of possible economic and social development in Central and Eastern Europe are discussed.