ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a foundation for further theoretical analysis of the impact of democratisation on inter-communal relations in Bulgaria and Macedonia. To this end, the chapter begins with a conceptual analysis of a number of terms of relevance to the present study, including democracy, democratisation, transition and liberalisation. Thereafter follows a discussion on preconditions for successful democratisation, as well as an overview of the main theories of causation and modes of democratisation. Next, the international dimension of democratisation is considered, followed by a discussion on institution building that centres on the choice between parliamentary and presidential systems. In the latter part of the chapter, we look at the influence of the communist legacy on democratisation; the difficult task of establishing rule of law as a foundation for democracy; state-sanctioned corruption; and the general mistrust of state institutions amongst the people. Subsequently, we address some of the problems facing post-communist societies in transforming their political and economic systems simultaneously, i.e., pursuing democratisation at the same time as making the transition from communist command economy to capitalist market economy. The democratisation process is thus highly intertwined with, and dependent on, the impact that economic reform has on the electorate. Economic reform however, particularly in the Balkans was – and continues to be – an arduous process hampered by numerous obstacles including corruption. Economic development, or the lack of it, has become intimately associated with the success or failure of democracy in such a way that economic hardship has threatened to undermine the faith of the masses in the democratic process.
