Redeeming the Communist Past : The Regeneration of Communist Parties in East Central Europe

by Grzymala-Busse, Anna M.

• ISBN13: 9780511028991
• ISBN10: 0511028997
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2002-02-18
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This major study examines one of the most surprising developments in East Central European politics after the democratic transitions of 1989: the completely unexpected regeneration of the former communist parties. After the collapse of the communist regimes in 1989, these ruling communist parties seemed consigned to oblivion. However, confounding scholarly and popular expectations, all of these parties survived. Some have even returned to power. This in-depth, comparative study systematically analyzes the trajectories of four cases: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary (with additional examination of other communist party successors). Relying on extensive, and unprecedented, primary research, this analysis employs a consistent analytical framework that combines the peculiarities of the post-socialist cases with broad theoretical concerns of institutional analysis, democratic transitions and consolidation, and party politics.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	p. x
List of Acronyms	p. xii
Acknowledgments	p. xvii
Introduction Surviving Democracy	p. 1
The Roots of Regeneration: Communist Practices and Elite Resources	p. 19
Breaking with the Past, Reorganizing for the Future	p. 69
Developing Programmatic Responsiveness	p. 123
Convincing the Voters: Campaigns and Elections	p. 175
Parliamentary Effectiveness and Coalitions	p. 227
Conclusion: Succeeding in Democracy	p. 265
The Content Analysis of Programs	p. 285
The Quantitative Analysis of Electorates	p. 294
Structures of Competition	p. 303
Bibliography	p. 305
Index	p. 333
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.