Designing Democracy

What is the role and influence of European integration in affecting and confirming post-Communist democratization in applicant states of Central & Eastern Europe? Drawing on theories of regime change and of European integration, Geoffrey Pridham focuses on the development and application of the EU's strategy of democratic conditionality and the patterns and dynamics of domestic politics in these new democracies and how these affect motivation towards accession. Making intensive use of elite interviews, the study proceeds by examining three levels of these countries: governance, intermediary actors and the socio-economic arena.

What has been the impact of the democratic conditionality of the European Union on the democratic consolidation processes in the Central and Eastern European countries seeking admission? Pridham (European politics, Bristol U., UK) looks for an answer to that question in an analysis that relies especially on interviews with economic and political elites in the candidate countries. He considers patterns and problems of domestic elite motivations in the context of EU enlargement; discusses processes of institutional adjustment and policy reorientation as they relate to the implementation of the EU's political conditions; examines the roles of political parties, opinion makers, and other intermediary actors; and addresses the relationship between economic transformation, civil society, ethnic minorities, and other socio-economic factors on democratization in the candidate countries. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Geoffrey Bristol is Professor of Politics, University of Bristol.