,,Political Alternation, Regardless of Ideology, Diminishes Influence Buying: Lessons from Transitions in Former Communist States

Political Alternation, Regardless of Ideology, Diminishes Influence Buying: Lessons from Transitions in Former Communist States


 

Publication Date: January 2005

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Author(s): Branko Milanovic; Karla Hoff; Shale Horowitz

Research Area: Politics

Type: Brief

Coverage: Former communist countries

Abstract:

The most direct way to break the grip of inefficient, self-serving interests on state power is through the election of new political players not beholden to the same interest groups that supported their predecessors. This is true regardless of political bent and is demonstrated by recent history in postcommunist Eastern Europe. A new policy outlook by Karla Hoff, Shale Horowitz, and Carnegie senior associate Branko Milanovic proves this theory empirically.