SUPPORT FOR PARLIAMENTS AND REGIMES IN THE TRANSITION TOWARD DEMOCRACY IN EASTERN-EUROPE

The generation and maintenance of public support is among the most imp ortant functions ascribed to legislatures in democratizing or newly de mocratic regimes. Survey data from six eastern European countries in t ransition from authoritarian to pluralistic regimes confirm that publi c support for legislatures is remarkably widespread. Predictably, supp ort is highest among attentive publics and those most satisfied with t he performance of the economy. However, the extent of support even amo ng those most dissatisfied with the economy suggests that the basis of support is substantially symbolic or diffuse in nature. As was to be expected, the relationship between legislative and regime support is r eciprocal, although support for legislatures is much more a consequenc e than a cause of support for the regime.