Suchergebnisse

Originally published in 1994, this volume analyses the relationship between political parties and trade unions in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. Political parties had high visibility in the changes that took place in Eastern Europe during the 1980s and early 1990s. Far less visible were the developments in the trade union sphere, where the old mass organizations' of the communist period, now independent, were joined by newly-formed organizations, and both played a central role in politics.

The end of communism and accession to the European Union have had a huge impact on Poland. This book provides an overall assessment of the post-1989 transformation in Poland, covering economic transformation; the heritage of the past and national identity; and regional and political developments before and after EU accession.

A COMMON FEATURE OF SEVERAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN POST-COMMUNIST EAST-CENTRAL EUROPE IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRIPARTITE STRUCTURE WHICH SEEKS TO INTEGRATE SOCIAL BARGAINING BETWEEN BUSINESS, LABOR AND GOVERNMENT INTO THE POLICY PROCESS. THIS ARTICLE FOCUSES ON THE TRIPARTITE STRUCTURES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND IN SLOVAKIA. IT CONTENDS THAT TRIPARTITE STRUCTURES ARE NOT THE CENTRAL FEATURE IN EMERGING POLITICAL STRUCTURES, BUT NEITHER ARE THEY IRRELEVANT TO THAT PROCESS. THEIR ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE CHANGE OVER TIME AND REFLECT THE OUTCOME OF A CONFLICT BETWEEN DISTINCT CONCEPTIONS. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES THAT THE MOST DIRECT ACHIEVEMENTS OF CZECH AND SLOVAK TRIPARTISM COME UNDER TWO MAIN HEADINGS. THE FIRST IS THE PREVENTION OF ANY MAJOR SOCIAL UNREST. THE SECOND IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LABOR LAWS.