This study examines the intricate shifts in political competition during the period of martial law in Ukraine, with a focus on alterations in dynamics and their potential implications for the post-war political landscape. Employing data from reputable institutions, parliamentary voting records, and analyses of current events, this study aims to provide insights into the extent of changes in political competition and its infl uence on the upcoming party system configuration. The analysis reveals noteworthy patterns, such as the shift in legislative focus towards foreign policy and defence post-full-scale invasion, and the increased parliamentary support for the Ukrainian president's initiatives, largely due to personal influence rather than party affiliations. The study also examines the evolving voting dynamics in parliament, characterised by two distinct periods, shedding light on the challenges of securing crucial votes for significant bills. In light of these findings, this study emphasises the importance of a well-thought-out action plan to restore the electoral process in post-war Ukraine, taking into account the challenges posed by the current electoral system and regional variations in voter turnout. The study concludes by highlighting the need for intensive support for Ukraine's military efforts as the primary means of ensuring a quick return to the democratic electoral process.
This article examines the institutional changes in 22 post-communist countries during the 1990-2020 period. The objective of the study was to find out why some countries achieved democracy while others failed to establish or strengthen democratic institutions, and what factors influenced the political stability of post-communist countries. During the study, available statistical information on the functioning of the main institutions was collected and processed. The analysis shows that the most significant institutional changes were observed among the non-democratic countries and those that fell into the category of hybrid political regimes. The correction of the initially chosen form of government is evidence in support of the theory of endogenous change, indicating "path-dependency". The influence of endogenous factors determines the quality of democratic change and the level of political stability in post-communist countries. Democratic changes in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe were associated with a commitment to rapid reform in the early stages, and Euro-Atlantic integration only supported the democratic quality of the institutions. The institutional framework of the countries, that embarked on the path of European integration, was relatively stable during the period under the study, and did not deal with changes in the system of power distribution. While the countries of the former Soviet Union most often resorted to changes in the primary law of the country, and these changes were related to the redistribution of powers between the branches of power and the extension of the time in the office of the President. In addition to the overall level of democratization of the country, the level of emancipatory values and the weight of presidential power have the greatest impact on political stability.
artykuł w: Wschód Europy : studia humanistyczno-społeczne Vol. 7 (2021), s. 13-43 ; streszczenie w językach polskim, angielskim i rosyjskim ; artykuł w: Wschód Europy : studia humanistyczno-społeczne Vol. 7 (2021), s. 13-43 ; streszczenie w językach polskim, angielskim i rosyjskim
This article examines the institutional changes in 22 post-communist countries during the 1990-2020 period. The objective of the study was to find out why some countries achieved democracy while others failed to establish or strengthen democratic institutions, and what factors influenced the political stability of post-communist countries. During the study, available statistical information on the functioning of the main institutions was collected and processed. The analysis shows that the most significant institutional changes were observed among the non-democratic countries and those that fell into the category of hybrid political regimes. The correction of the initially chosen form of government is evidence in support of the theory of endogenous change, indicating "path-dependency". The influence of endogenous factors determines the quality of democratic change and the level of political stability in post-communist countries. Democratic changes in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe were associated with a commitment to rapid reform in the early stages, and Euro-Atlantic integration only supported the democratic quality of the institutions. The institutional framework of the countries, that embarked on the path of European integration, was relatively stable during the period under the study, and did not deal with changes in the system of power distribution. While the countries of the former Soviet Union most often resorted to changes in the primary law of the country, and these changes were related to the redistribution of powers between the branches of power and the extension of the time in the office of the President. In addition to the overall level of democratization of the country, the level of emancipatory values and the weight of presidential power have the greatest impact on political stability. ; Ten artykuł analizuje zmiany instytucjonalne w 22 państwach postkomunistycznych w latach 1990-2020. Celem badania było znalezienie odpowiedzi na pytanie, dlaczego niektóre kraje osiągnęły demokrację, podczas gdy inne nie zdołały stworzyć lub wzmocnić instytucji demokratycznych oraz jakie czynniki wpłynęły na stabilność polityczną państw postkomunistycznych. W trakcie badania zebrano i opracowano dostępne informacje statystyczne na temat funkcjonowania głównych instytucji. Analiza pokazuje, że najbardziej znaczące zmiany instytucjonalne zaobserwowano w państwach niedemokratycznych oraz tych, które zaliczały się do kategorii hybrydowych reżimów politycznych. Korekta początkowo wybranej formy ustroju jest dowodem na rzecz teorii zmian endogenicznych, wskazującym na "zależność od ścieżki" (path-dependency). Wpływ czynników endogenicznych determinuje jakość przemian demokratycznych i poziom stabilności politycznej w państwach postkomunistycznych. Przemiany demokratyczne w państwach Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej wiązały się z zaangażowaniem w szybkie reformy na wczesnym etapie, a integracja euroatlantycka jedynie wspierała demokratyczną jakość instytucji. Struktura instytucjonalna państw, które wkroczyły na drogę integracji europejskiej, była w analizowanym okresie względnie stabilna i nie dotyczyła zmian w systemie podziału władzy. Z kolei państwa byłego Związku Radzieckiego najczęściej uciekały się do zmian w ustawie zasadniczej państwa, a zmiany te dotyczyły redystrybucji kompetencji między gałęziami władzy oraz wydłużenia kadencji prezydenta. Obok ogólnego poziomu demokratyzacji państw, największy wpływ na stabilność polityczną ma poziom wartości emancypacyjnych oraz waga władzy prezydenckiej. ; В статье рассматриваются институциональные изменения в 22 посткоммунистических странах в течение 1990-2020 годов. Целью исследования было выяснить, почему одни страны достигли демократии, а другие не смогли создать или укрепить демократические институты и какие факторы влияли на политическую стабильность посткоммунистических стран. Во время исследования была собрана и обработана доступная статистическая информация о функционировании основных институтов. Анализ показывает, что наиболее существенные институциональные изменения наблюдались среди недемократических стран и тех, которые попали в категорию гибридных политических режимов. Коррекция исходно выбранной формы правления свидетельствует в пользу теории эндогенных изменений, указывающих на «зависимость от выбранного пути» (path-dependency). Влияние эндогенных факторов определяет качество демократических изменений и уровень политической стабильности в посткоммунистических странах. Демократические изменения в странах Центрально-Восточной Европы были связаны с приверженностью к быстрому проведению реформ на ранних этапах, а евроатлантическая интеграция лишь поддерживала демократическое качество институтов. Институциональная основа стран, которые стали на путь европейской интеграции, была относительно стабильной в течение исследуемого периода и не касалась изменений системы распределения власти. В то же время страны бывшего Советского Союза чаще всего прибегали к изменениям основного закона страны и эти изменения касались перераспределения полномочий между ветвями власти и продления срока пребывания президента у власти. Кроме общего уровня демократизации страны, наибольшее влияние на политическую стабильность имеет уровень эмансипативных ценностей и вес президентской власти.
This study examines the intricate shifts in political competition during the period of martial law in Ukraine, with a focus on alterations in dynamics and their potential implications for the post-war political landscape. Employing data from reputable institutions, parliamentary voting records, and analyses of current events, this study aims to provide insights into the extent of changes in political competition and its infl uence on the upcoming party system configuration. The analysis reveals noteworthy patterns, such as the shift in legislative focus towards foreign policy and defence post-full-scale invasion, and the increased parliamentary support for the Ukrainian president's initiatives, largely due to personal influence rather than party affiliations. The study also examines the evolving voting dynamics in parliament, characterised by two distinct periods, shedding light on the challenges of securing crucial votes for significant bills. In light of these findings, this study emphasises the importance of a well-thought-out action plan to restore the electoral process in post-war Ukraine, taking into account the challenges posed by the current electoral system and regional variations in voter turnout. The study concludes by highlighting the need for intensive support for Ukraine's military efforts as the primary means of ensuring a quick return to the democratic electoral process.
