Using a rich set of data from public opinion surveys conducted in the European post-communist states, this book explores popular attitudes on social, economic, and political justice focusing ultimately on what is fair? People there hope to create societies that are more free and democratic than the old communist systems yet also more egalitarian than most capitalist states. They envision a system where people who work hard can earn good money but also where those in want have their basic needs met. Unusual in allowing both east-west comparisons and examining change over time during a crucial phase of the post-communist transitions, this groundbreaking work goes beyond basic surveys to explore the philosophically and theoretically important concept of justice.
David S. Mason is professor of political science at Butler University. James R. Kluegel is professor of sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Chapter 1 Introduction: Public Opinion and Political Change in the Postcommunist States Chapter 2 Bulgaria: Political and Economic Crisis; Democratic Consolidation Chapter 3 Economic Justice in the Czech Republic Chapter 4 Russia: Changing Perceptions of Social Justice Chapter 5 Trends and Perceptions of Social Inequality in Hungary, 1991-1996 Chapter 6 Justice Ideologies, Perceptions of Reward Justice, and Transformation: East and West Germany in Comparison Chapter 7 Market Justice in Transition Chapter 8 Political System Legitimacy: Representative? Fair? Chapter 9 Participation in the Foundations of Democracy Chapter 10 Conclusion: Social Justice, Democracy, and Capitalism in Eastern Europe
This book goes beyond economic perceptions, experience, hopes or fears to introduce explicit evaluations of prosperity and poverty-whether they are justified or not, whether they are fair or not, whether, in particular, economic inequality might be considered fairer than equality. It is a significantly more sophisticated approach than one which relates political support merely to economic experience and perceptions themselves. This is a highly distinctive study, with its focus on economic justice rather than economic performance. * Europe-Asia Studies * There is plenty in this book that is invaluable. For anyone interested in the postcommunist transformation, this volume is indispensable. * Contemporary Sociology * Invaluable for its longtitudal, comparative approach, Marketing Democracy addresses public opinion in east and central Europe regarding social, political, and economic justice. The quality of these articles is generally high. This volume is a useful resource for specialists on forced migrations of people but could also be fruitfully assigned as an introduction to the field. * Slavic Review * This is a valuable contribution to transition/transformation studies. The introduction can be recommended for students seeking an introduction to public opinion and political change in the post-communist countries, other chapters are more specialized and will be useful for area studies courses on specific countries (the ones of Russia, Hungary and East Germany are particularly interesting). The book is well documented and has a good bibliography. * Political Studies Review * A substantial and important work. A particular strength is the east-west as well as over-time dimension. This book makes a significant contribution to the comparative politics of postcommunism. -- Stephen White, University of Glasgow
