Post Communist Politics in Czech Republic

Post Communist Politics in Czech Republic

Ten years after the revolution that brought down Communism in Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic is still plagued by Leninist legacies that prevent it from transitioning fully into a successful liberal democracy. On the superficial level, it appears as though the Czech Republic is progressing well into the realm of a viable democracy. Its economy, thanks to the liberal policies of Vaclav Klaus, is arguably one of the strongest in the region. Its constitution mandates the rule of law that was so lacking under the Soviet hegemony, and its President is a man that has been dubbed by many to be a “philosopher-king,” one which was expected to lead his country out of the moral decay of the Communist rule.

These institutional changes, however, are marred by the social and cultural norms that refuse to die. Ken Jowitt argues that, “Eastern European elites and social audiences have inherited what is for the most part a suspicious culture of mutual envy fostered by a corrupt neotraditional Leninist despotism.” After forty years of life behind the Iron Curtain, the Czech people are not accustomed to the civic and political participation that is necessary to sustain a viable democracy. The nation as a whole is suspicious of a government that they feel doesn’t accurately represent their views. The political world is still seen as “suspect” and therefore unseemly. Their apolitical views and perceptions are fostered by the behaviors of their elected officials. The elite political traditions have not been radically shifted. As in the Communist Era, the elite structure of the Czech Republic remains unresponsive, and many of the former elites still controlled several key administrati...

... middle of paper ...

...at was publicized on November 26, 2000.8 CTK prague, nov 26, 2000 - DNM More than fifty percent of the population supported the resignation call for their top officials.

police brutality

OSD corruption, won’t publicize financial statements

bureaucratic legacy - stats on untrustworthy officials

cult of personality - Klaus

impact of the dissident movement (apolitics)

fatalism amongst people

religion

idealized goals of the velvet revolution

“It’s only a few tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people who have become active, but I think it’s really a turning point, “Pehe said, looking back on all the events. “An increasing number of people now feel that politicians are here to serve them. They accept this very novel idea for Czechs that these politicians are on our payroll: Taxpayers pay them.” (LA Times, jan. 30, 2000, david holley)