ABSTRACT
The political systems of East Central Europe are still subject to the flux arising from the fall of the communist regimes. It is taking time for clear constituencies to emerge with coherent leaderships in a stable network of autonomous political activity. But certain forms of organization dating from the gestation period have been influential. First, the structures of the communist period have in some cases developed an autonomous role. Secondly, a series of major aggregating forces emerged in the ‘forum’ movements. Creatures of the transition period, they have had a strong influence in setting the stage for later developments. Thirdly, the end of the communist monopoly led to the emergence of clubs and circles often of a libertarian kind, reflecting the generational factor in the process of change. Finally, the circumstances of flux have allowed to emerge, or re-emerge, strong religious, ethnic and regional identities.
