Ultra-nationalism in Central Europe

Abstract

I n the former Soviet satellite states of Central Europe and the Balkans, citizenries that ousted their communist regimes have begun to set up liberal democratic governments. If they are to succeed, these new regimes will need functioning party systems composed of strong institutional parties. Currently, party systems in the former communist countries are in flux. Constitutions and electoral laws change constantly, and new parties rise and fall rapidly, generating a bewildering array of acronyms. Complicating matters further, the borderline between political parties and other types of organizations is sometimes thin. Despite the confusion, a few definite trends can be discerned. One is the proliferation of ultra-nationalist political parties that employ xenophobic and demagogic appeals, Such movements have become serious political players in all of the former communist countries in Central Europe during the last two years, and may thus endanger continued democratic consolidation and stability in the region. Even if they do not come to power, these parties will play a role in the evolution of the newly emerging democracies by shifting the political spectrum, influencing the makeup of ruling coalitions, and preventing the smooth functioning of legislatures. Political parties aiming to subvert the democratic process may paralyze the functioning of the legislature, thus bringing about a political crisis and even inducing the military to intervene. To best study the nature and threat of these parties, one should look to the four countries of Central Europe that are most politically evolved and economically developed: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Because these states have pre-World War II parliamentary democratic traditions and are culturally similar to the countries of Western Europe, they are the most likely to make a successful transition to democratic liberalism. The majority of Western investment and assistance has thus gone to these four countries, If they do not succeed in establishing democracy, the chances for other former communist states to do so are slim indeed.