"The updated second edition of Historical Dictionary of Slovakia offers cross-referenced dictionary entries on Slovak political, social, and economic development since the creation of the second Slovak Republic in 1993 and its admission into the European Union in 2004. Entries describe presidents, prime ministers, and party leaders, and many leading academics and cultural personalities, including those from the national minorities. The dictionary also contains entries on the various institutions of the Slovak Republic, such as the judiciary system, armed forces, media, and parliamentary committees and explains Slovakia's position and rile in international organizations like NATO and the European Union. The historical survey explains how Slovakia, in its post-Communist transformation, was almost excluded from these institutions, but eventually became a full-member." "This second edition adds fresh personalities, concepts, and events that marked this nation's struggle for survival over the centuries. The bibliography is expanded, containing the most recent works in Western languages and seminal publications in the Slovak language on various aspects of Slovakia's history. It enables the scholar and the researcher access to the background and the role of most of the institutions and figures of contemporary Slovakia."--Jacket.