The Czech Republic Transition from an Authoritarian to a Democracy
There is no standard definition of democracy. It is perceived differently by different personalities and states. Some countries that perceive themselves as democratic are shunned by the rest of the world for acting contrary to democratic principles. It is therefore safe to say that democracy is a process. It is a process whereby the freedom and liberties of an individual are recognized by the state. The state then goes ahead to ensure that there are proper mechanisms and systems that allow the individual to vie for any political seat, be able to win or lose fairly.
In a democracy, there are free and fair elections, held after a certain period of time, there are proper systems to guard against excesses either arising from individual or institutional level.
An authoritarian system of government on the other hand recognizes less the freedom of the individual. There might be elections but characterized by rigging, such that the leaders of a country are nominated or chosen by a few people as opposed to being elected by the majority people. An authoritarian government will not tolerate any form of criticism or opposition from any quarters. Press freedom and individual freedom of expression are curtailed. Failure to observe these monolithic laws would lead to outright prosecution or death. This is ironical because the justice system is badly flawed such that it is reserve of a few persons that are in control of the government.
It is from this condition that political scientists agree the Czech Republic seem to shift to a more people driven political system. Over the years there have been some notable improvements in the way the country runs its affairs. This has been the force behind experts' agreement that indeed the Czech Republic is in a process of democratization.
Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovak has been the custodian of the nation's democracy and he is continued to be revered as being synonymous to the Czechoslovakian democracy. The constitution, made in 1920, laid the foundations of a parliamentary democracy that constituted of the senate, Chamber of Deputies and the National Assembly (Seton-Watson 1991).
The members to these offices were to be elected. Similarly the parliamentary system of government ensured the election of the president and confirmation of the cabinet. This cabinet though nominated by the president had to wait for the approval of the parliament. The powers of the executive were shared between the cabinet and the president.
The local government was subject to the central government. This meant that local governments had a limit in their area of jurisdiction. Their major role was to adjust the central government regulations, and laws to suit the needs in the locality. Some of its members, a significant minority, were direct appointees by the government. The local population had but little say in the governing of the state.
The official languages recognized by the constitution were Slovak and Czech. The other minority languages were however allowed in the day to day activities.
The political situation of the Czech Republic before the revolution of 1989 was marked by the rule of the communist regime. It was characterized by one party leadership in which there was no official opposition recognizable. There was so much persecution of groups or persons who expressed thoughts or ideas that were contrary to those of the popular government. Even as the nationalities of the Czechoslovakia Republic which include Slovaks, Ruthenians, Moravians and the Czechs demanded full independence, it was not granted but for Hitler to take over the entire land and not to give it up till 1945.This is an indication that the country, despite its economic power had not been recognized as a sovereign state.
There was some form of democracy that was instituted by the National Front. This democracy was however strongly opposed by the communist who were not for a democratically elected government. This further explains the disruption of the 1948 elections that saw the most popular candidate and president resigning in favor of a candidate backed by the communist regime and foreign governments. After this interference of democratic elections, the republic seems to have witnessed a free and fair election in 1946. The same was not to be repeated in the Czechoslovakia till the 1990 elections.
The regime was characterized by political assassinations and hanging of some of the notable officials in the government. Some of these officials included leaders such as Slansky, the Communist Party head and Clementis. After the death of Gottwald in 1953 there was a loss of authority by the leader that took over after him (Luza 1983). The alliance with the Communist party was somehow weakened with the new leadership. This was the commencement of the destruction of the Communist party. In 1968 there was a major reform in which the party leadership was separated from the presidency. The same year saw the installation of federal government with the composition of the two republics of Slovak and Czech republics.
A group of youth that demanded for a free and fair election in 1989 was met with unrelenting force from the police. This however fueled public indignation that further saw more demonstrations and meetings lasting for ten days. The revolution termed "velvet revolution" ended with the resignation of the government.
After the revolution another struggle commenced. This followed closely the dismantling of the style of leadership according to the Soviet. There was a strict distinction between the Czechs and the Slovaks with none willing to vote for the other. In the early 90s the separations in the country become apparent. This had followed the election of 1992 with each of the factions voting in favor of their ideology; the Slovaks voting in favor of democratic state whereas the Czechs voting in favor of reform with the denunciation of communism (Wiskemann 1987). In 1993 the much anticipated separation between the Czech and Slovak was officially instituted by the top executives of the republics. This came to be known as the "velvet divorce".
This separation ushered in a breath of democracy in the Czech Republic. In 1993 there was a vote by the parliament of Czech to confirm the presidency of Havel. He was a success more so in the effort to foster the growth of the new republic. The citizens of the Czech Republic were very much aware and concerned about democracy. They openly showed there discontent with the ruling party leadership. There had been cries over corruption and the lack of transformational spirit that was badly needed by the Czech citizens. It is for these reasons that the opposition emerged as the victor in the elections. There emphasis on the regulation of the economy and a more socialist friendly running of the government.
In a democracy, there are free and fair elections, held after a certain period of time, there are proper systems to guard against excesses either arising from individual or institutional level.
An authoritarian system of government on the other hand recognizes less the freedom of the individual. There might be elections but characterized by rigging, such that the leaders of a country are nominated or chosen by a few people as opposed to being elected by the majority people. An authoritarian government will not tolerate any form of criticism or opposition from any quarters. Press freedom and individual freedom of expression are curtailed. Failure to observe these monolithic laws would lead to outright prosecution or death. This is ironical because the justice system is badly flawed such that it is reserve of a few persons that are in control of the government.
It is from this condition that political scientists agree the Czech Republic seem to shift to a more people driven political system. Over the years there have been some notable improvements in the way the country runs its affairs. This has been the force behind experts' agreement that indeed the Czech Republic is in a process of democratization.
The Constitution Making
Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovak has been the custodian of the nation's democracy and he is continued to be revered as being synonymous to the Czechoslovakian democracy. The constitution, made in 1920, laid the foundations of a parliamentary democracy that constituted of the senate, Chamber of Deputies and the National Assembly (Seton-Watson 1991).
The members to these offices were to be elected. Similarly the parliamentary system of government ensured the election of the president and confirmation of the cabinet. This cabinet though nominated by the president had to wait for the approval of the parliament. The powers of the executive were shared between the cabinet and the president.
The local government was subject to the central government. This meant that local governments had a limit in their area of jurisdiction. Their major role was to adjust the central government regulations, and laws to suit the needs in the locality. Some of its members, a significant minority, were direct appointees by the government. The local population had but little say in the governing of the state.
The official languages recognized by the constitution were Slovak and Czech. The other minority languages were however allowed in the day to day activities.
Before the Revolution
The political situation of the Czech Republic before the revolution of 1989 was marked by the rule of the communist regime. It was characterized by one party leadership in which there was no official opposition recognizable. There was so much persecution of groups or persons who expressed thoughts or ideas that were contrary to those of the popular government. Even as the nationalities of the Czechoslovakia Republic which include Slovaks, Ruthenians, Moravians and the Czechs demanded full independence, it was not granted but for Hitler to take over the entire land and not to give it up till 1945.This is an indication that the country, despite its economic power had not been recognized as a sovereign state.
There was some form of democracy that was instituted by the National Front. This democracy was however strongly opposed by the communist who were not for a democratically elected government. This further explains the disruption of the 1948 elections that saw the most popular candidate and president resigning in favor of a candidate backed by the communist regime and foreign governments. After this interference of democratic elections, the republic seems to have witnessed a free and fair election in 1946. The same was not to be repeated in the Czechoslovakia till the 1990 elections.
The regime was characterized by political assassinations and hanging of some of the notable officials in the government. Some of these officials included leaders such as Slansky, the Communist Party head and Clementis. After the death of Gottwald in 1953 there was a loss of authority by the leader that took over after him (Luza 1983). The alliance with the Communist party was somehow weakened with the new leadership. This was the commencement of the destruction of the Communist party. In 1968 there was a major reform in which the party leadership was separated from the presidency. The same year saw the installation of federal government with the composition of the two republics of Slovak and Czech republics.
After the Revolution
A group of youth that demanded for a free and fair election in 1989 was met with unrelenting force from the police. This however fueled public indignation that further saw more demonstrations and meetings lasting for ten days. The revolution termed "velvet revolution" ended with the resignation of the government.
After the revolution another struggle commenced. This followed closely the dismantling of the style of leadership according to the Soviet. There was a strict distinction between the Czechs and the Slovaks with none willing to vote for the other. In the early 90s the separations in the country become apparent. This had followed the election of 1992 with each of the factions voting in favor of their ideology; the Slovaks voting in favor of democratic state whereas the Czechs voting in favor of reform with the denunciation of communism (Wiskemann 1987). In 1993 the much anticipated separation between the Czech and Slovak was officially instituted by the top executives of the republics. This came to be known as the "velvet divorce".
This separation ushered in a breath of democracy in the Czech Republic. In 1993 there was a vote by the parliament of Czech to confirm the presidency of Havel. He was a success more so in the effort to foster the growth of the new republic. The citizens of the Czech Republic were very much aware and concerned about democracy. They openly showed there discontent with the ruling party leadership. There had been cries over corruption and the lack of transformational spirit that was badly needed by the Czech citizens. It is for these reasons that the opposition emerged as the victor in the elections. There emphasis on the regulation of the economy and a more socialist friendly running of the government.
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