ABSTRACT
The debate on the transition in Central and Eastern Europe has focused predominantly on the interplay of political and economic factors, known as the question of simultaneity; on party politics or lack of it; on the social and economic implications of regime change; on privatisation and a decreasing role for the state in public service delivery; and on democracy and democratisation (Offe 1991; Ekiert 1996; Bryant and Mokrzycki 1994; Armijo, Biersteker and Lowenthal 1994; Waller 1994).
