Post-Communist Democratization Political Discourses across Thirteen Countries [Paperback]

This book examines the way democracy is thought about and lived by people in the post-communist world.The study of the democratic transitions of former Communist states has been fertile ground for students of politics. This book provides a novel 'ground up' perspective by examining the ways in which ordinary people have viewd and responded to democracy. Examining a number of countries at different stages of transition, they argue that democracy has been understood differently in different places and with varying levels of approval. The authors place their research within the context of each country's history and relate their analysis to future prospects for reform.The study of the democratic transitions of former Communist states has been fertile ground for students of politics. This book provides a novel 'ground up' perspective by examining the ways in which ordinary people have viewd and responded to democracy. Examining a number of countries at different stages of transition, they argue that democracy has been understood differently in different places and with varying levels of approval. The authors place their research within the context of each country's history and relate their analysis to future prospects for reform.The study of the democratic transitions of former Communist states has been fertile ground for students of politics. This book provides a novel ground up perspective by examining the ways in which ordinary people have viewed and responded to democracy. Examining a number of countries at different stages of transition, they argue that democracy has been understood differently in different places and with varying levels of approval. The authors define their research within the context of each country's history and relate their analysis to future prospects for reform.Part I. Introductory: 1. The discourses of democratic transition; 2. Methodology; Part II. Pre-Transition Countries: 3. China; 4. Yugoslavia; Part III. Halting Transitions: 5. Belarusl3!