Local Action in a Transitional State: Community Responses to Proposed Development in the Czech Republic, 1992–1996*

Abstract

Objective After the fall of the communist regime, the Czech government placed an emphasis on economic growth and development. Although research has been conducted on national‐level change and civil society reactions to new institutions and initiatives, little is known about the transition process at the local level and the ways community sentiments and actions varied in response to development policies. This study examines responses to proposed development in communities in the Czech Republic and investigates the extent that actions were influenced by values, the availability of resources, and the local political context.Methods To understand factors shaping action, structured interviews were conducted with the mayors of 237 towns in the Czech Republic where landfills, incinerators, highways, and protected‐area development were proposed or first publicly discussed between 1992–1996.Results Values pertaining to health, employment, property value, nature protection, and connection to place were associated with the adoption of newer modes of behavior, as were resources including national media coverage of an issue, the presence of a local environmental organization, and previous experience. Many aspects of the local political context had no relationship to behavior. Those that did appeared to foster and reinforce more ingrained patterns of action reminiscent of the former regime.Conclusions In general, while styles of action common during the former regime began to reemerge, they were balanced by new patterns of action signifying confidence and trust in the newly formed democratic institutions.