The Social Democratic Parties in the Visegrád Countries

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the social democratic parties in the four member states of the so-called “Visegrád Group”- Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The timeline spans the last two decades, which saw the parties in question come to power, govern and collapse. The case studies of all four countries are structured in the same way, offering: explanation of the historical background (including electoral results), analyses of the context, structures, membership and voters; evaluation of the programmes and hypotheses for potential future trajectories. Given the European relevance of the topic, the fifth chapter provides a comparative analysis, with a handful of explanations as to why Visegrád Group countries have proved to be tough partners in European integration processes.

This path-breaking volume examines the transformation of social democracy in the four countries of Visegrád. The analysis demonstrates that there was not a single path to power for these parties but distinctive national trajectories reflecting the unique political traditions and histories of each country. Yet a common occurrence across the region is the comparative electoral weakness of social democratic parties in recent times. Rich in detail and cogently argued, the work is a major contribution to debates about the changing nature of social democracy across Europe, and will be required reading for scholars and students alike.  

Professor Patrick Diamond, Queen Mary, University of London      

A group of renowned NGO experts from progressive think-tanks have authored a must-read primer for everyone interested in the challenges of contemporary politics in Europe. From progressivism to illiberalism, the book delivers a particularly insightful glimpse at the political currents of Central Europe. An important contribution to the debate on the future of social democracy in Europe. 

Aleksander Kwaśniewski, President of Poland (1995-2005)

This volume is an essential contribution to the European debate about the state and future of social democracy in Central and Eastern Europe. It depicts the trajectories alongside which the four and then five parties in Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia (re) emerged after the 1990s, consolidated and grew, shaping the post-transformation reality and paving the way for the EU. Being completed with academic precision and an excellent understanding of the socio-economic reality of the country-cases studies, the book is a long-awaited, absolute must-read. 

Biljana Borzan, Vice-President of the S&D Group in the European Parliament and MEP

Ania Skrzypek is Director for Research and Training at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), Belgium.

András Bíró-Nagy is Director of Policy Solutions and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Sciences, Hungary.