Suchergebnisse

Examines the dynamics of elite division & emergent elite convergence in Slovakia, with the former explored following the 1989 democratic transition & elite unity & differentiation addressed during the third (1994-1998) Meciar government. Analysis of the 1998 election & May 1999 presidential election sheds light on future developments regarding Slovak elites & democracy. It is concluded that a gradual, yet frail convergence toward elite unity was occurring. The risks concomitant with the pre- & posttransition elite fragmentation were lessening; thus, the Slovak regime was coalescing toward a more stable democracy. 42 References. J. Zendejas

Examines the dynamics of elite division & emergent elite convergence in Slovakia, with the former explored following the 1989 democratic transition & elite unity & differentiation addressed during the third (1994-1998) Meciar government. Analysis of the 1998 election & May 1999 presidential election sheds light on future developments regarding Slovak elites & democracy. It is concluded that a gradual, yet frail convergence toward elite unity was occurring. The risks concomitant with the pre- & posttransition elite fragmentation were lessening; thus, the Slovak regime was coalescing toward a more stable democracy. 42 References. J. Zendejas

An examination of postcommunist political parties shows that the evolution of the party system in Slovakia diverged from its neighbors in its polarization between standard parties (conservative-liberal-social democratic) & nonstandard political formations (populist-authoritarian-radical). This divergence from countries where party systems were moving toward the model of Eastern democracy can best be explained by the severity of communist rule & the absence of an organized opposition in the 1970s & 1980s. The 1994 elections illustrated little support for reform among both the political elites & a significant segment of the population. The result was failure to decide between parties favoring the transition to democracy & those supporting more authoritarian politics. Although attempts by members of the nonstandard parties to shift to a more authoritarian rule have delayed the transition to democracy, the instability of the new governing coalition & the strange combination of extremes offer hope for a return to a more democratic path. 1 Table, 12 References. J. Lindoth