The Problem of Weak Governments and Weak Societies in Eastern Europe Cover Image

Problem slabih država i slabih društava u istočnoj Europi
The Problem of Weak Governments and Weak Societies in Eastern Europe

Author(s): Marko Grdešić
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Hrvatsko politološko društvo
Keywords: weak societies; weak states; Eastern Europe; typologies of state-society relations; social networks; social trustiness; social capital

Summary/Abstract: This paper argues that, for Eastern Europe, the simultaneous presence of weak governments and weak societies is a crucial obstacle which must be faced by analysts and reformers. The understanding of other normatively significant processes will be deficient without a consciousness-raising deliberation on this problem and its implications. This paper seeks to articulate the “relational” approach to state and society. In addition, the paper lays out a typology of possible patterns of relationship between state and society, dependent on whether the state is weak or strong and whether society is weak or strong. Comparative data are presented in order to provide an empirical support for the theses. Finally, the paper outlines two reform approaches which could enable breaking the vicious circle emerging in the context of weak governments and weak societies.

  • Issue Year: 2008
  • Issue No: 05
  • Page Range: 241-262
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Croatian