№18: Shades of Grey: Poland’s Example for a Middle East in Transition
№18: Shades of Grey: Poland’s Example for a Middle East in Transition

Author(s): Patrycja Sasnal
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Developing nations, Geopolitics
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Poland; Middle East; systematic transition; transition to democracy; government;
Summary/Abstract: It is not at all clear if or how a country’s experience in systemic transition—from authoritarian to democratic rule—can serve as a lesson to another country in transition. Positivists would claim the 20th century provides a plethora of examples about how to conduct a transition. Sceptics would point at differences in each and every case: in the character and condition of the economy, a lack of adequate political structures or different cultural and historic backgrounds. Tunisia and Egypt, however, are at this extremely precarious point where they will understandably want to make decisions on their own but will be at the same time looking carefully at the experience and competence of others because the democratization process inevitably requires many practical solutions.

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