Understanding Elections and Democracy in Post-Soviet Space

Abstract

The complicated relationship between elections and democracy is exemplified by the experience of the states that emerged from Soviet-style authoritarianism in Eastern Europe and Eurasia in the twentieth century’s waning years. In the early part of the twentieth century, the Soviet Union developed into the quintessential totalitarian state,¹ experienced decline and change in leadership, and finally died a quiet death at the end of 1991. Fifteen newly independent states carved up the USSR’s corpse, and embarked on efforts to create political and economic institutions, construct functioning state apparatuses, and develop a sense of national identity associated not with the old union, but with the symbols, borders, and ideals of these new countries. In this process of birth, growth, and development, each post-Soviet country has held elections. In some cases, the election process has matured to the point where it meets international norms and standards. In most corners of the old empire, however, elections suffer from significant shortcomings.