Informal Relations from Democratic Representatio - Case studies from Central and Eastern Europe

Informal relations have been one of the major research topics of the social sciences since the 1990s. In order to allow for meaningful comparisons between different combinations of the positive and negative effects of informal relations on democratic representation, this book focuses on post-socialist Central and Eastern Europe as a particular region where formal democratic rules have been established, but competing informal rules are still strong. A broad spectrum of related analytical concepts is discussed from different perspectives and from different academic disciplines, then empirical cases of the relationship between informal relations and democratic representation are analyzed. The contributions span the whole continuum, as we perceive it, from civil society networks seen as supporting democratic representation to the perversion of democratic representation through political corruption. The final part of the book takes a closer look at corruption through four case studies from Russia.

Relatiile informale au fost unul dintre principalele subiecte de cercetare din stiintele sociale inca din anii '90. Pentru a permite comparatii semnificative intre diferite combinatii ale efectelor pozitive si negative ale relatiilor informale asupra reprezentarii democratice, aceasta carte se concentreaza pe Europa Centrala si de Est post-socialista ca regiune speciala in care au fost stabilite reguli democratice formale, dar reguli informale concurente. sunt inca puternici.