Representation and Democracy in Eurasia's Unrecognized States: The Case of Transnistria

Abstract

Focusing on Transnistria, the relationship between implementing a secessionist agenda and building democracies in Eurasia's de facto states is explored. Grounded in longitudinal comparison of parliamentary representation patterns in Transnistria, the "black box" of domestic politics is opened up to illustrate the contested nature of secessionist policies within de facto states. Critical examination of the validity of elites' claims of a genuine democratic mandate to pursue secessionist policies highlights the need to question tendencies to take for granted societal endorsement of the secessionist policies advocated by the elites of de facto states.