Comparative Analysis Of The Modes Of Transition In Hungary And Poland And Their Impact On The Electoral Systems Of These States
Comparative Analysis Of The Modes Of Transition In Hungary And Poland And Their Impact On The Electoral Systems Of These States

Summary/Abstract: Although in both Hungary and Poland, the transition to democracy resulted in high levels of democratization, the institutional outcomes of transition were different. This article compares the transition modes of Hungary and Poland and examines the factors which led to different electoral systems. The article concludes that the different transition paths and institutional outcomes were influenced by a combination of two factors: the initial conditions of transition (level of communist’ legitimacy, level of social mobilization, relationship of opposition and incumbents) and the strategic behavior of elites involved in the transformation process.

• Details
• Contents