The Social Democratic Parties in the Visegrád Countries: Predicaments and Prospects for Progressivism

Description

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the social democratic parties in the four member states of the so-called “Visegrád Group”- Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The timeline spans the last two decades, which saw the parties in question come to power, govern and collapse. The case studies of all four countries are structured in the same way, offering: explanation of the historical background (including electoral results), analyses of the context, structures, membership and voters; evaluation of the programmes and hypotheses for potential future trajectories. Given the European relevance of the topic, the fifth chapter provides a comparative analysis, with a handful of explanations as to why Visegrád Group countries have proved to be tough partners in European integration processes. Foreword Visegrad: From Hope to Horror and Back Again Acknowledgments Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Introduction The Visegrád Discomfort: Understanding the Predicaments and the Prospects for Progressivism 1 The Electoral History: From a Splendid Rise to a Bitter Challenge 2 The Organisations: From an Inherited Réseau Towards a New Open Model 3 The Programme: From Catch-All Offer to a Core Competence Search 4 The Voters: From Diverse Electorate to Mobilisation Across Divides 5 Way Forward: Can Social Democrats Resolve the Visegrád Discomfort? Bibliography The State of Social Democracy in the Czech Republic 1 Electoral Results of the Czech Social Democratic Party 2 The Party Organisations of the ČSSD Media Reach Organisational Structure of the ČSSD 3 Position in the Party System 4 The ČSSD’s Relationship with the S&D Member Parties and Civil Society 5 Programmatic Positioning 6 Social Democratic Voters, Social Democratic Issues The Insecure and Fearful Group The Left-Wing Optimistic Group The Individualist Group 7 Conclusion and Discussion References The State of Social Democracy in Hungary 1 Introduction 2 Electoral Results of the Hungarian S&D Member Parties 3 The Party Organisations of the MSZP and DK The Memberships of the MSZP and DK Financial Situation Media Reach Organisational Infrastructure, National Presence The Parties’ Leadership Structure and Internal Organisation 4 Position in the Party System 5 The Relationship Between the Hungarian S&D Member Parties and Civil Society 6 Programmatic Positioning Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) Democratic Coalition (DK) 7 Social Democratic Voters, Social Democratic Issues Distribution of Voters by the Level of Urbanisation Gender Composition Age Composition Composition by Educational Attainment Distribution by Wealth and Class Identity The Potential Voters of the Social Democratic Parties The Most Pressing Problems as Perceived by the Hungarian Public and the Popularity of Social Democratic Values 8 Conclusion Bibliography The State of Social Democracy in Poland 1 Electoral Results and a Brief History of the Polish Member Parties of the PES 2 The Party Organisations of the NL The Membership of the NL Financial Situation Media Reach Organisational Infrastructure and National Presence The NL’s Leadership Structure and Internal Organisation 3 Position in the Party System 4 The Relationship Between the NL and Civil Society 5 Programmatic Positioning The Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) The New Left (NL) 6 Social Democratic Voters, Social Democratic Issues Distribution of Voters by the Level of Urbanisation Gender Composition Age Composition Composition by Educational Attainment Distribution by Profession The Ideological Profile of Social Democratic Voters and the Popularity of Social Democratic Values 7 Conclusion Bibliography The State of Social Democracy in Slovakia: The Twilight (or Rebirth) of Social Democracy? 1 Introduction: Decline of the Left and the Visegrád Context 2 Electoral Results 3 Organisation Party Leadership Membership and Financial Situation 4 Position in the Party System 5 Relationships with Civil Society, Social Movements, and Trade Unions 6 Programmatic Positioning Economic and Social Policy Issues EU and Foreign Policy Issues Cultural and Post-material Issues 7 Voters Spatial Support Socio-Economic Characteristics of Smer-SD Voters Gender and Age Degree Unemployment Ethnicity, Religion, and Population 8 The Way Forward—Opportunities for Social Democracy Executive Summary Bibliography Index