The middle classes in Czech reforms - The interplay between socio-economicpolicies and social stratification

Following the assumption that the middle classes are important in the trans ition from Communism to a democratic market society as its leading actor an d guarantor of social integration, this paper presents evidence of the bene fits they have gained from the economic and social reform. As these have tu rned out to be rather modest, it is warned that the middle classes will be more reserved in their political support for rigorous transformation. Speci al attention is given to the distribution and redistribution of income in w hich the middle seems to have been neglected, in comparison to the lowest a nd upper strata which have become better-off Statistical evidence is comple mented by attitudinal data which document both the still strong endorsement of the middle classes with regard to the implemented changes and slowly gr owing criticism. There is also a certain split between the 'old' and 'new' component of this important social category.