ABSTRACT

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 not only signaled the end of communist control in the region, but also ignited a debate over the theoretical concept of “political transition” for the successor states. To date, much has been written on the prospects for democratization; attention has been particularly directed toward what might be viewed as the process’s necessary and sufficient elements. 1 An important part of a systemic transition, according to these studies, is the role that civil society plays in establishing a foundation for democratization. That a certain political culture is necessary for a successful transition begs the question: if it does not already exist in a given society, can a civil society be created?