Development of a Sustainable Democracy in East Germany and Poland

Development of a Sustainable Democracy in East Germany and Poland

Linz and Stepan list and describe a set of five elements that

determine a consolidated democracy. Civil society, political

society, rule of law, usable state of bureaucracy, and an

institution of economic society all interact in complex ways to

bring about democratic consolidation in countries. This paper

focuses and emphasizes the interactions between the

^development of a free and lively civil society . . . [and] an

institutionalized economic society . . . [which] must be

present, or be crafted, in order for a democracy to be

consolidated^ (Linz and Stepan pg. 17). Two former communist

countries, East Germany and Poland, will be analyzed and

critiqued about the prospects for sustainable democracy.

Specifically, an analysis of the civil societies in the

countries and how they react to their current economic

situations will be used as a determinant for their chances of

sustaining democracy. Both East Germany and Poland are

considered success stories. Both countries have undergone free

elections that have brought about new leaders in the country that have

represented the citizens needs and wants, but the transition for these

countries hasn^t been easy. Many citizens in both of the former Soviet

bloc countries feel that their votes aren^t changing the social and

economic conditions, and are rejecting the system with this ^learned

helplessness^. An increasing number of citizens in both countries are

turning to right wing policies as a result of the new and challenging

social and economic order. Where before workers were guaranteed jobs,

allowances, and other provisions from the state, now they face the

cutthroat competition that defines capitalism. The economic societies

in the countries have been approached from very different angles.

Whereas East Germany was immediately incorporated into the strong

economic and social conditions of West Germany, Poland was forced to

handle the transition alone. While in East Germany labor and

initiative collapsed and flowed West, Poland had no where to go, and

the capitalist West flowed into their economy in the form of

investments. The result has been very positive for Poland, which is

now one of the fastest growing economies in Europe, but very negative

for East Germany which is dawdling in high unemployment and low foreign

investment. In societies where the party aspired to control all

aspects of life, including persecution for unauthorized association,

social life was very weak. Martial law and danger of persecution for

unauthorized activities encouraged citizens in both countries to

restrict their social ties to kin and very close friends. The result

of this phenomenon has had a profound effect on the quality of civil