ABSTRACT
Once a playwright and political dissident imprisoned by Czechoslovakia's communist regime, Vaclav Havel played a leading role in the 1989 “Velvet Revolution” in Czechoslovakia. His moral authority guided the Czech Republic through its transformation from a one-party communist state into a peaceful pluralistic democracy. In 1992 Havel resigned from office to oppose the separation of Slovakia from the Czech lands. He was subsequendy elected to the presidency of the new Czech Republic in 1993. Despite deteriorating health, Havel was reelected in 1998 and continues as head of state of the Czech Republic. Vaclav Havel's political dissent and struggle for freedom and human rights enabled him and his artistic and intellectual colleagues to guide Czechoslovakia into a democratic and pluralistic society. Through Civic Forum, Havel constructed a new legitimate and democratic system that could step in and quickly replace the discredited communist government.
