Postcommunist Presidents

ISBN-13: 9780521587655 / Angielski / Miękka / 1997 / 262 str.

Raymond Taras; Ray Taras

Opis

The best-known political leaders of former communist states are their presidents. To many people, Yeltsin, Havel and Walesa are the symbols of the birth of democracy in their countries, yet their historical legacy remains unclear. Have the first postcommunist presidents institutionalized democratic rule so that they are no longer essential to its survival? Leading specialists examine the presidents and presidential elections in six states--Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary--asking whether strong presidents augur well for future democratic development in the region.

Recenzje

"...this book is a useful resource in bridging the gap between area studies and comparative politics....it should be in every four-year college library as a reference work." Choice

Spis treści

Introduction: some thoughts on presidentialism in postcommunist Europe Juan J. Linz; 1. Separating power: keeping presidents in check Ray Taras; 2. Russia: presidential leadership under Yeltsin Stephen White; 3. Ukraine: two presidents and their powers Andrew Wilson; 4. Kazakstan: Nursultan Nazarbaev as strong president Martha Brill Olcott; 5. Poland: Walesa's legacy to the presidency Krzysztof Jasiewicz; 6. The Czech Republic: Havel and the evolution of the presidency since 1989 Sharon L. Wolchik; 7. Hungary: political transition and executive conflict: the balance or fragmentation of power Patrick H. O'Neil; 8. Afterword: the making of postcommunist presidencies Jon Elster.