Even though the democratic decline has been deemed a global phenomenon the question of how it
manifests itself in the postcommunist world and how it varies across different regions with
divergent levels of democratic consolidation has not been sufficiently addressed yet. This book
tries to fill the gap and examines the causes and nature of the deteriorating quality of
democracy in Central Europe as well as the reversal or stagnation of democratization processes
in Southeastern and Eastern Europe. The political elite plays a key role in initiating
legislative changes that may lead to democratic backsliding. Its constant commitment to the
rule of law and to the practice of selfrestraint in securing the independence of judiciary and
the rights of political opposition appears hence indispensable for sustainable liberal
democracy.
