ABSTRACT
1989 was initially considered as the triumph of civil society movements over monolithic communist regimes. Yet during the last two decades, scholars from a variety of disciplines have argued that civil society is weak and structurally deficient in post-communist countries. Early studies of ‘social capital’ in the region found lower levels of social trust, community engagement, and confidence in social and political institutions across Central and Eastern Europe. 1 Studies by Howard and Bernhard and Karakoç, 2 among others, have shown low levels of voluntary associational membership, a paucity of public participation, and an anemic civil society even in comparison to post-authoritarian new democracies. Scholars have also criticized the failure of new democratic states to develop and strengthen civic initiatives and participation in governance. 3 The picture that arises from the literature is one of ‘democracies without citizens’, in that political elites have succeeded in protecting basic civic rights and implementing democratic procedures, rule of law, and multiparty competition, but failed to enhance social cohesion and voluntary activity at the grassroots level and increase popular support for the institutions of representative democracy. Warning of the dangers to democratic consolidation, some authors have pointed to the growing dissatisfaction and popularity of populist and radical right parties that exhibit questionable support for democratic institutions. 4 These concerns about weakness of civil society, its sources and consequences are echoed in many debates taking place in Central and Eastern Europe. 5
