Nationalism and the Transition to Democracy: The Post-Soviet Experience

Abstract

The political trajectories of the post-Soviet states are varied, with democracy being the outcome in only a minority of these countries. The differ- ent outcomes are striking, given the similarity of starting points. The key to under- standing a democratic outcome lies in the different relationships between old regime elites and civil society-based opposition forces, and the ethnic balance in the country. Nationalism, reflected in the popular front movements, was crucial for a democratic outcome.