POSTCOMMUNIST AMBIVALENCE - BECOMING OF A NEW FORMATION

The initial optimistic illusions about the future of postcommunist cou ntries have been cut short by not so encouraging developments in these societies. With the growing awareness that the postcommunist transiti on cannot be understood as a linear passage to a free market and parli amentary democracy, more attention is paid to the social and economic obstacles as well as to the legacy of real socialism. The feelings of increasing uncertainty about the outcome of postcommunist transformati on have led some writers to characterise Eastern Europe as being in th e stags of 'liminality' (or in an in-between stage), in which 'everyth ing may happen get little can be done' (Bauman 1994: 32) Arguing from a Tocquevillian position fur the need of both a strong state and a str ong civil society and also adopting his insight into the importance of 'enlightened interest', I shall discuss factors responsible for a lac k of government which operates under the rule of law, as well as discu ssing factors responsible for obstructing the development of civil soc iety and the emergence of 'enlightened interest' in the postcommunist societies.