Postcommunist Presidents
Postcommunist Presidents
Looking for an examination copy?
If you are interested in the title for your course we can consider offering an examination copy. To register your interest please contact [email protected] providing details of the course you are teaching.
$45.00
USDThe political systems that have replaced communist rule in East-Central Europe and Eurasia are closely associated with their presidents. The first democratically-elected presidents of these countries - men like Yeltsin, Havel and Waesa - have frequently been viewed as 'founding fathers' of their countries' independence. But were they successful in creating strong presidential systems in these states? Has their unquestioned personal power and charisma been institutionalized in the presidencies? Will executive power in postcommunist states remain the same when the first incumbents of the office are gone? This book, first published in 1997, offers a comparative analysis of the role of presidents in postcommunist states. Comprising studies of Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakstan among former Soviet republics, and Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary among Central European states, this book will be required reading for readers interested in how political leaders affect the fate of democracy in the former communist world.
- Study of impact of presidents like Yeltsin, Havel and Walesa on democratisation in former communist world. Asks whether their impact will be lasting, and how healthy it is
- Very good line up of authors. Country studies of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary by leading names, plus theoretical pieces by world reknowned scholars Juan Linz and Jon Elster
- Detailed and up-to-date case studies, including in-depth study by Stephen White of Yeltsin, his election victory, and the struggle to succeed him
Reviews & endorsements
"Ray Taras and his coauthors have produced a useful work that captures the intricacy of creating presidential power in the early years of the postcommunist transformation." Timothy Frye, American Political Science Review
"...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
Product details
September 1997Paperback
9780521587655
262 pages
229 × 152 × 15 mm
0.39kg
2 b/w illus. 3 maps 8 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- 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.
