Transitional Dilemma

Abstract

Throughout history the interconnections between economy, society and polity have inspired scholars. The current processes of change in Eastern Europe have reopened and actualized the age-old theme. In recent literature the relationship between democracy and the market has been analysed in the context of the postcommunist transitions, but the problem is not specific to countries in transition. The relationship between democratization and marketization can be interpreted as a special case or subcategory of the generic problem involving the relationship between democracy and capitalism. Democratization and marketization appear then as weaker forms of democracy and capitalism.