Mediating Institutions in the Transition from State Socialism: The Case of Local Government
Mediating Institutions in the Transition from State Socialism: The Case of Local Government
This chapter first shows that under state socialism, local government was subordinate to central government, and state enterprises had relatively few functions. Also access to the benefits of local government activities was controlled by a party-based elite network. Secondly it argues that after state socialism, local government becomes in many respects a more active mediating institution and control over its functions becomes a highly contested issue in local politics. The central questions ask how far it gains autonomy from former economic and political centres of power, and how far it is subordinate to new sources of economic and political power. Lastly, it argues that the degree to which the network capital built up under a state socialism is still a valuable resource.
Keywords: state socialism, party-based elite network, mediating institution, local politics, local government functions, network capital
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