Chmil’ I.
THE PRECONDITIONS OF THE CREATION AND THE PECULIARITIES
OF ACTIVITY OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN THE VISEGRAD GROUP
COUNTRIES DURING THE TRANSFORMATION OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
The aim of the article is the determination and analyzing of social movements’
preconditions of the creation and the social context of their activities in the Visegrad
group countries during the transformation of political systems. Also the main task is
the investigation of social movements’ influence on the political process in Poland,
Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. As a result of the investigation, the
political and socio-economic preconditions of the creation of anticommunist
movements in the Visegrad group countries were singled out. Political preconditions
include disintegration of Soviet Union and power monopoly of the Communist Party,
which caused the creation of anticommunist movements in Poland, Hungary, the
Czech Republic and Slovakia. The complicated economic situation in the Visegrad
group countries during the transformation of political system became the most
important socio-economic precondition of the creation of social movements.
Inflation, unemployment, difficult financial situation of workers caused the creation
of social movements, which aimed to overcome the deep economic crisis. Economic
preconditions played a crucial role in the formation of trade union «Solidarity» that
united dissatisfied workers and defended their rights. The role of social movements in
the political life of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia during the
transitional period are also analyzed in the article. As a result, we can indicate that
activities of social movements aimed to changing the political discourse in countries
by introduction Western values in social consciousness. However, the preservation of
own identity was also important. Social movements played the key role in the
democratization of the Visegrad Group countries. In Slovakia social movements
hastened the disintegration of Czechoslovakia and the achievement of Slovakia
independence.
Transformation processes in a country, despite a number of common features,
still held under different scenarios. This is due, primarily feature of these countries,
as social movements had their background and purpose of work.
Common causes of social movements in a country can be divided into political,
social and economic. Thus, the most important prerequisite was the political collapse
of the USSR. In addition, the important role played by Communist Party monopoly
on power, which led to the emergence of anti-Communist movement in Poland,
Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Socio-economic prerequisites may include
difficult economic situation of the above countries, which led to the restructuring
process. Inflation, unemployment, difficult financial status of workers caused the
emergence of social movements, designed to overcome the deep economic crisis.
Features of transformation of political systems created some differences in
predictors of movements. In Poland, for example, have priority socio-economic
background of social movement. In particular, the trade union "Solidarity" was
formed as a result of the strike of workers caused by the economic crisis in the
country. Another situation was in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where social
movements Civic Forum and Public against Violence emerged as a reaction to the
inaction of the communist government. The collapse of the USSR was the impetus to
that in Slovakia, the opposition movement Public against Violence sought to separate
from the Czech Republic and Slovakia achieved independence of their country.
Because the primary in the Czech Republic and Slovakia were the political conditions
of formation of social movements and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the
emergence of anti-activated movements and contributed to the fight against violence
Public independence.
In the second half of the 80s in Hungary, as in other Central European countries,
all clearly manifest signs of deep social and political crisis of the current system.
Hungarian situation is relatively more freedom contributed relatively early formation
and registration in the depths of the regime opposition forces since the mid 80's.
Became increasingly push beyond what is permitted and clearly define the problem
of democratization of the country. The first most respected opposition movements
that demanded the implementation of deep democratic reforms owned by Hungarian
Democratic Forum (HDF) [5].
HDF gradually became the main mouthpiece of the democratic aspirations of the
Hungarian society, which deepened the crisis mono-party political system of selfrising bottom of various alternative movements that advocated the freedom of speech,
press, political pluralism. [9] This HSRP leaders continued to argue that the country
calm and there is no crisis. In early April 1988 with HSRP excluded a number of
talented intellectuals who dared to express his junk to guide opinion on the situation
in the party and the country. Prime Minister K. Goss at the same time said he did not
see the possibility for the establishment of parliamentary government, and therefore
in Hungary can only be a one-party system. He also stressed that we can not remain a
bystander when the opposition is gaining strength and produces political concept. In
this case, should apply to it (including to HDF) administrative penalties. However,
appropriate measures have blocked reformist forces HSRP and uncontrollable process
of democratization.
Initially, the HDF had a significant impact on young people. This is due to the
fact that the Forum was moderate and centrist force and did not meet the maximalist
demands of young people who find themselves in difficult situations. HDF program
they seemed insufficiently radical, did not provide a radical improvement of young
people who are not satisfied with promises of democratic European level, and sought
to rapid and drastic changes. But in a relatively short period HDF failed to arouse
interest among the masses for democracy.
A similar situation was also in Poland, although the process of democratization
during this period included the trend of East Central region and pronounced features
of their own development. Here aggravation of the social situation was aggravated by
persistent tradition of social and political liberalism, preserved even in harsh
conditions command-administrative system: it is existence, though purely formal,
multi-party (other than the Polish United Workers Party (PUWP), there were still
united peasant Party and the Democratic Party - the communist regime satellites); and
the presence of certain elements PUWP same social democracy, separation of its
reformist wing environment; and persistent mental-cultural outlook of Poles, based
on national and individualistic values. It is necessary to point out another significant
feature of Polish society before the revolution in 1989 opposition to the regime
developed in two channels: the ideological and political (mostly it represented cola
Polish intelligentsia) and the socio-economic, slogans which especially support the
workers and peasant sectors of society. But the most important is that in the early
80's, these two branches of public opposition failed to consolidate and present a
united front in the ranks of the informal movement "Solidarity". This is a unique
organization, starting its history as a regular professional association Gdańsk port
workers has grown to the extent of the influential movement, which numbered ten
million members and a concentrated all the most progressive forces of the Polish
nation in the fight against the communist system [1].
In Czechoslovakia, as in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the
late 80's. Crisis of the communist regime. The movement of protest against the
political regime in Czechoslovakia unfolded under the banner of democratic reforms,
independence and integration with Europe. In the wake of anti-communist
demonstrations in the Czech Republic there is an opposition movement - Civic
Forum (CF), its counterpart in Slovakia became public against violence (HPN).
Unlike Hungary and Poland, the social movements in Czechoslovakia were rather
weak. Dissidents here had much impact on the course of events on the eve of the
revolution. However, both movements eventually become the most widespread and
most influential in the country and play a crucial role in the organization of "velvet
revolution" - a bloodless overthrow of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia
because of street protests 16 November - 29 December 1989 [10].
In the spring of 1990 in Bratislava held demonstrations demanding change the
name of the state to show equal relations between the two nations and remind Czechs,
Europe and around the world about the Slovaks as a separate nation, which
suppressed that their "hide" in the term "Czechoslovaks". In April 1990, a new name
of the country - the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. By the election programs of
all parties in Slovakia added a new item on state-legal system of the country. The
requirement of establishing an independent Slovak state contained in the program
established in December 1989 Slovak National Party and movements that later, after
the election, contributed to it. For confederal structure of the Czechoslovak state was
the first Freedom Party - "traditional" party that existed during the socialist period,
but in December 1989, changed the [11, p. 161].
Thus, the Visegrad countries in the late 80's early 90's. Going through a difficult
transformation period, due primarily a failure of the ruling Communist Party to adapt
to new social challenges, solve urgent problems facing each of the four countries.
This situation has caused the emergence of social movements that played a crucial
role in the overthrow of the regime, updating the ruling elite, the implementation of
democratic reforms and achieving the independence of Slovakia. Prospects for further
research determine the need for analysis of the fate of social movements in the future,
namely determining factors and mechanisms of their transformation into a political
party.