Socialist bloc

The Socialist bloc refers to a group of countries primarily in Eastern Europe and other regions during the Cold War that adopted socialist or communist governments aligned with the Soviet Union. These nations emphasized state control over the economy, collective ownership, and centralized planning, contrasting with capitalist systems. The bloc was politically and ideologically linked, often united under the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance, and shared similar governance structures. After the Cold War, many of these countries transitioned towards democratic and market-oriented reforms.