The New Europe
Roskin, Chpts. 6-10
I. Why did communism fail in E Europe?
II. How did it fail?
III. What needs to happen to build "market democracy" in Eastern
Europe? Is this the goal? Should this be the goal?
IV. Political Institutions
V. Electoral System
VI. Party System
VII. Lessons, Hopes, Fears
I. Why did
communism fail in E Europe?
decay of system
economically,
falling behind, sinking
debt (see pg. 124)
environment horribly polluted
politically lack legitimacy
public morale low
militarily can't compete with US, arms race, SDI
much longer
II. How did it fail?
opening created by Gorbachev
"domino effect" in reverse
beginning with unrest in Poland, 1988, recognition
of Solidarity anew, Round Table talks
semi-free elections
then Hungary opens border
then GDR allows travel across wall
elections in Hungary, Czechoslovakia
reunification of Germany
III. What needs to happen to build "market democracy" in
Eastern Europe? Is this the goal? Should this be the goal?
IV. Political Institutions
insitutional choices
state building
Russia as failed state
oligopoly
crony capitalism
V. Electoral System (145)
types of representation
purpose,
pros and cons of each
SMD
PR
VI. Party System (146)
cleavages in European politics (150-151)
likely salient cleavages in EE politics
from Communist Parties and catchall opposition parties to?
left-right continuum
VII. Lessons, Hopes, Fears
critique of his list
which hopes/fears have come true?