Political Attitudes and Democratic Legacies in Post-Communist Societies

In societies emerging from decades of one-party rule, political attitudes and the legacies of previous regimes continue to shape democratic trajectories in profound ways. The process of regime change has given rise to complex patterns of political socialisation: older cohorts often exhibit residual authoritarian dispositions, while younger generations benefit from more diverse civic experiences. Institutional trust, forged through encounters with nascent democratic structures, varies markedly across regions and is closely linked to attitudes towards civil liberties, electoral participation and public accountability. Memory policies and transitional justice mechanisms further interact with collective identity, influencing whether citizens embrace pluralism or retreat into nationalist or populist narratives. Recent research highlights the distinction between instrumental support for democracy—as a means to achieve policy goals—and diffuse support, understood as an intrinsic commitment to democratic norms. These dimensions correlate differently with socioeconomic status, historical exposure to surveillance and cross-border interactions during the Cold War era. Understanding these dynamics has global significance: it informs strategies to bolster democratic consolidation, counter extremist mobilisation and design education programmes that address lingering authoritarian legacies.

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Political Attitudes and Democratic Legacies in Post-Communist Societies publication trend

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Technical terms

Attitudinal legacy: The persistence of political attitudes formed under previous regimes, influencing current beliefs and behaviours.

Political socialization: The process through which individuals internalise political norms, values and practices over their lifetime.

Ontological insecurity: A psychological state characterised by feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability about one’s social environment.

Institutional trust: The confidence citizens place in political institutions to act competently and fairly.

Radical right: Political movements or parties advocating nationalist, exclusionary and often authoritarian policies.

References

1. Dictators and Their Subjects: Authoritarian Attitudinal Effects and Legacies. Comparative Political Studies (2020).
2. Explaining attitudes to secret surveillance in post-communist societies. East European Politics (2018).
3. Behind the wall: the lack of interaction between east and west and the rise of the radical right. Acta Politica (2024).
4. Memory Policies on the Authoritarian Past and Outcomes for Democracy in Argentina and Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Sociais (2023).