Central and Eastern European (CEE) Experience with Democratic Consolidation, Decay and Defense

Possible Lessons for Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID7514744
AuthorsRadosław Markowski (0000-0001-6018-3409, Uniwersytet SWPS, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume61
Issue1
Pages36-52
Publication date2026-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Asian and African Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9096 • E-ISSN: 1745-2538
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00219096251380749
OpenAlexW7126255288
LanguageEN
References cited52

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

Democracy · democratic deficit · Democratic governance · Democratic system · Warrant · Eastern European Communism and Reforms · European Union Policy and Governance · Political Conflict and Governance

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