Central and Eastern European (CEE) Experience with Democratic Consolidation,Decay and Defense: Possible Lessons for Africa

Abstract

The submitted article constitutes a rather bold trans-cultural attempt to indicate which aspects of socio-political reality warrant attention if one intends to defend democratic principles. The endeavor is, in a sense, audacious, as the transfer of European experiences of democratic transformations—and of democratic backsliding—to the African continent is fraught with numerous challenges. Nevertheless, it seems worth undertaking such an attempt, particularly in the search for universal regularities, which, as we know, do exist, although they should be regarded more as possibilities than as ready-made prescriptions. The guidelines presented below are, of course, intended for those who consider it meaningful to defend democracy. The article is organized into several parts. The first part addresses foundational theoretical issues, including contemporary alternatives to democracy, challenges of democratic consolidation, economic development and inequality, the role of the state, and models of existing democracies. Parts II through V examine specific developments in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), focusing on early democratic successes, the rise of anti-liberal trends, the impact of institutional design, and unique context-specific phenomena. The conclusion distills broader lessons that African nations may draw from the CEE experience to strengthen democracy and, where necessary, counter democratic backsliding.