Explanation of the Transition to Democracy in Eastern Europe in 1989 - 1991. The Role of Public Pressure in the Eastern European Transition to Democracy

Explanation of the Transition to Democracy in Eastern Europe in 1989 - 1991. The Role of Public Pressure in the Eastern European Transition to Democracy PDF Author: Dörte Ridder
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783656740285
Category :
Languages : de
Pages : 20

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Book Description
Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject History Europe - Other Countries - Newer History, European Unification, grade: 2,1, University of Sunderland (School of Arts, Design, Media and Culture), course: Experiencing 20th century Europe, 19 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: ...a prince must have the friendship of the common people; otherwise he will have no support in times of adversity. Niccolo Machiavelli The transition to democracy in Eastern Europe was a result of a multiplicity of factors in the fields of economy, politics, geostrategy and the military. Briefly, after the collapse of communism in 1989 and the early 1990s, many celebrated the victory of the people over a ruthless, dictatorial system. We now know that this more or less peaceful transition would not have occurred, at least, not at this time, if it had not been for the Soviet Union, deliberately opening its fist, which had held Eastern Europe for five decades. For this reason, the transitions in Eastern Europe can only be explained by taking the USSR into consideration. Nevertheless, public pressure from the bottom has always played an important role and every government has to take its power into account. Considering this political fact, the following essay will examine which factors led to the people's distrust and disapproval of the communist system. In the first part this essay will examine the field of economy. The second part will deal with the field of politics. The third and concluding part will summarize the results and answer the question, did the lack of public support make the demise of the system inevitable?

Explanation of the Transition to Democracy in Eastern Europe in 1989 - 1991. The Role of Public Pressure in the Eastern European Transition to Democracy

Explanation of the Transition to Democracy in Eastern Europe in 1989 - 1991. The Role of Public Pressure in the Eastern European Transition to Democracy PDF Author: Dörte Ridder
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783656740285
Category :
Languages : de
Pages : 20

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Book Description
Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject History Europe - Other Countries - Newer History, European Unification, grade: 2,1, University of Sunderland (School of Arts, Design, Media and Culture), course: Experiencing 20th century Europe, 19 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: ...a prince must have the friendship of the common people; otherwise he will have no support in times of adversity. Niccolo Machiavelli The transition to democracy in Eastern Europe was a result of a multiplicity of factors in the fields of economy, politics, geostrategy and the military. Briefly, after the collapse of communism in 1989 and the early 1990s, many celebrated the victory of the people over a ruthless, dictatorial system. We now know that this more or less peaceful transition would not have occurred, at least, not at this time, if it had not been for the Soviet Union, deliberately opening its fist, which had held Eastern Europe for five decades. For this reason, the transitions in Eastern Europe can only be explained by taking the USSR into consideration. Nevertheless, public pressure from the bottom has always played an important role and every government has to take its power into account. Considering this political fact, the following essay will examine which factors led to the people's distrust and disapproval of the communist system. In the first part this essay will examine the field of economy. The second part will deal with the field of politics. The third and concluding part will summarize the results and answer the question, did the lack of public support make the demise of the system inevitable?

Democratization in Eastern Europe

Democratization in Eastern Europe PDF Author: Geoffrey Pridham
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134835701
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
In light of the sudden collape of communist systems in Eastern Europe in 1989-90, this book attempts to explain their democratization from a variety of theoretical perspectives.

Transition to Democracy in Eastern Europe

Transition to Democracy in Eastern Europe PDF Author: K. Beyme
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230374336
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
This is the first comprehensive study of the transition to democracy in Eastern Europe which includes the processes in party-formation, political culture-building, institution-building and economic transformation, and to differentiate between areas and countries. East and southeastern Europe are included as well as the Republics of the former Soviet Union. The theories of transformation to democracy developed in former transitions, such as 1919, 1945 and the 1970s are tested in the case of Eastern Europe. In many areas the picture developed by the author is not very optimistic. He feels that 'Anocracy', a mixture between democracy and authoritarian regimes, is likely to develop in many countries.

The Third Wave

The Third Wave PDF Author: Samuel P. Huntington
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
ISBN: 0806186046
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
Between 1974 and 1990 more than thirty countries in southern Europe, Latin America, East Asia, and Eastern Europe shifted from authoritarian to democratic systems of government. This global democratic revolution is probably the most important political trend in the late twentieth century. In The Third Wave, Samuel P. Huntington analyzes the causes and nature of these democratic transitions, evaluates the prospects for stability of the new democracies, and explores the possibility of more countries becoming democratic. The recent transitions, he argues, are the third major wave of democratization in the modem world. Each of the two previous waves was followed by a reverse wave in which some countries shifted back to authoritarian government. Using concrete examples, empirical evidence, and insightful analysis, Huntington provides neither a theory nor a history of the third wave, but an explanation of why and how it occurred. Factors responsible for the democratic trend include the legitimacy dilemmas of authoritarian regimes; economic and social development; the changed role of the Catholic Church; the impact of the United States, the European Community, and the Soviet Union; and the "snowballing" phenomenon: change in one country stimulating change in others. Five key elite groups within and outside the nondemocratic regime played roles in shaping the various ways democratization occurred. Compromise was key to all democratizations, and elections and nonviolent tactics also were central. New democracies must deal with the "torturer problem" and the "praetorian problem" and attempt to develop democratic values and processes. Disillusionment with democracy, Huntington argues, is necessary to consolidating democracy. He concludes the book with an analysis of the political, economic, and cultural factors that will decide whether or not the third wave continues. Several "Guidelines for Democratizers" offer specific, practical suggestions for initiating and carrying out reform. Huntington's emphasis on practical application makes this book a valuable tool for anyone engaged in the democratization process. At this volatile time in history, Huntington's assessment of the processes of democratization is indispensable to understanding the future of democracy in the world.

The Concept of Democracy in the Political Transformations of Central and Eastern Europe

The Concept of Democracy in the Political Transformations of Central and Eastern Europe PDF Author: Maximilian Spinner
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 363875765X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 29

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Book Description
Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Politics - Political Theory and the History of Ideas Journal, grade: A-, Central European University Budapest (Dep. of Political Science), 17 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Based on the Hungarian and Polish cases of negotiated transition to democracy in 1989/90 this essay looks into the philosophical concept of democracy pursued by the main protagonists.

Democratization and Change in Eastern Europe

Democratization and Change in Eastern Europe PDF Author: F. Stephen Larrabee
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Communist countries
Languages : en
Pages : 42

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Book Description
The collapse of communism in eastern Europe in 1989 shattered the bipolar security order that characterized East-West politics for the previous 40 years, and has necessitated a rethinking of the foundations of European security. Eastern Europe's integration into a new security order will pose major policy challenges for the West--especially for the European Community (EC). Moreover, there are significant transition problems of the eastern European countries: (1) the postcommunist states in eastern Europe will have to undergo a dual transition--that is, they will have to change their political and economic systems at the same time; (2) the countries in Eastern Europe lack the advantage of strong democratic experience and traditions; (3) the enormous economic problems that the regimes in Eastern Europe face impose an important constraint on the ability of the new elites to successfully complete the democratic transitions recently initiated; (4) ethnic nationalism presents a threat to long-term stability in the region; (5) it is unclear whether the large heterogeneous movements that precipitated change in Eastern Europe can transform themselves into strong political parties able to carry out coherent reform programs; and (6) there is a public apathy and disillusionment that will inhibit the transition process. The success of the reform efforts in Eastern Europe will depend to a large extent on the response of the West, particularly the EC. Another key factor affecting Eastern Europe's future will be the role played by Germany. Immigration is likely to become an increasingly important security issue in Europe and the EC will have to work out a comprehensive immigration policy. In the final analysis, the migration problem is closely linked to the larger question of the success of reform in eastern Europe as a whole. The West's failure to support measures to help stabilize the reforms now under way could lead to instability and disorder in both parts of Europe.

Taking Stock of Shock

Taking Stock of Shock PDF Author: Kristen Ghodsee
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0197549233
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
Introduction: Transition from communism - qualified success or utter catastrophe? -- The plan for a J-curve transition -- Plan meets reality -- Modifying the framework -- Counter-narratives of catastrophe -- Where have all the people gone? -- The mortality crisis -- Collapse in fertility -- Outmigration crisis -- Disappointment with transition -- Public opinion of winners and losers -- Evaluations shift over time -- Towards a new social contract? -- Portraits of desperation -- Resistance is futile -- Return to the past -- The patriotism of despair -- Conclusion: Towards an inclusive prosperity.

Building Democracy

Building Democracy PDF Author: Geoffrey Pridham
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 9780718500993
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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Book Description
International factors have had a great effect upon the process of democratisation in Eastern Europe according to the contributors to this book. Furthermore they maintain that the international dimension has not always been a favourable one.

Democratic and Capitalist Transitions in Eastern Europe

Democratic and Capitalist Transitions in Eastern Europe PDF Author: M. Dobry
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401141622
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 294

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Book Description
here ofexchange, and borrowing in debates between these disciplines, all the more so, as we shall see a little further on, as the analysis of the Central and East European transformations has also contributed to introduce into political science and sociology theoretical systematizations first formulated in economics. In addition to this opening up to the objects and theories of economics, the pseudo-"dilemma" ofsimultaneity produced, by a kind of feedback, another series of effects on transitology and the related research domains. Contrary to most expectations and predictions in the wake ofthe 1989 upheavals - affirmations that the "dilemmas", "problems" or "challenges" of the transitions in Central and Eastern Europe ought to have been dealt with and resolved one after the other in sequence, in the manner of the more or less idealized trajectories of Great Britain or Spain (trajectories significantly enough promoted, far beyond the circles of scholars, as a "model" of transition), and above all, contrary to the assumption that superposing a radical economic transformation upon a transition to democracy would make the whole edifice thoroughly unworkable, unstable or dangerous - it must be stated clearly out that the two processes, in their "simultaneity", are not necessarily incompatible. This is one of the main findings stressed upon in several chapters of this book.

Does Democracy Facilitate the Economic Transition?

Does Democracy Facilitate the Economic Transition? PDF Author: Jean-Jacques Dethier
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Civil society
Languages : en
Pages : 36

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Book Description
Empirical analysis shows that democracy has facilitated economic liberalization in 25 postcommunist countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The existence of a vibrant civil society at the start of the transition has the most explanatory power in this team's regression.