ABSTRACT
The political environment is particularly volatile in post-communist societies, and subsequently difficult for the pollsters to assess. Polls play a significant role in contemporary politics in Central and Eastern Europe. The analysis of the development of opinion polling concerns the methodological issues posed for pollsters in these societies. In terms of general approach, organisation, sampling methods, and interview procedures, opinion polling in post-communist countries is remarkably similar to polling carried out in the USA and Western Europe. The context within which pollsters conduct their operations is particularly complex, resulting in greater methodological and technical problems than exist in late-capitalist societies. The chapter argues that the major problems are concerned with communication issues, demographic restructuring, spatial issues, and political change. The general processes of political change taking place throughout Central and Eastern Europe present a number of issues and problems for the pollsters.
