New democracies are by definition ‘fragile democracies’ in the sense that at first they are not formally constituted, elite loyalties are almost certainly not yet confirmed and may well be questioned, while the various political, societal and possibly economic instabilities inherent in the transition process may seem daunting. The political cultures of the countries in question do not necessarily provide a reasonable basis for system support. Initial transition may be an occasion for euphoria, but the overall process is usually the source of considerable disorientation at elite and mass levels.