Politická participace a její determinanty v postkomunistických zemích

The article focuses on the differences in political participation
among post-communist countries. First, it explores the variation in the level
of political participation among post-communist states. Second, it deals with
the differences in the determinants that account for political participation in
individual countries. The second objective is met by introducing a three-dimensional
explanatory model of political participation: individual resources,
motivations, and social networks. In an empirical analysis political participation
in nine post-communist countries is examined using data from the International
Social Survey Programme 2004. Results show that the countries
under study vary in the level of political participation both at the aggregate
and individual levels. The most active citizens are in the former East Germany
and Slovakia. Polish and Hungarian citizens participate in politics the least.
Further, two modes of political participation – protest activity and contacting
– are identifi ed and used as dependent variables in further analysis. In the
second part of the article, the explanatory model is tested against data from
individual countries. The analysis shows that there is a difference in the factors
that account for political participation in various post-communist countries.
Generally, the three-level model of political participation works best in
Hungary, Bulgaria, and East Germany. It explains very little variation in Russia
and Poland.