Transitions from authoritarianism : the role of the bureaucracy /

This collection of essays considers the role of the civil service in states transitioning from authoritarian to democratic rule. Many of the essays focus on countries formerly ruled by the communist party, but essays about Spain, Portugal, and Latin American right-wing dictatorships or authoritarian regimes are included for comparative purposes. According to the volume's editor, civil service reform has taken a back seat within the general reform efforts. Several essayists believe that it is highly unlikely that the civil servants in place, most of whom were there prior to the collapse of authoritarian rule, will embrace new ways of thinking and acting; rather, real reform will need to wait until the next generation of civil servants have replaced them. As expected, entrenched bureaucrats obstruct and often stubbornly resist efforts to firmly establish democratic rule. As with most edited volumes, some essays are better and more focused on the topic than others. In this regard, Nemec's essay on Slovakia stands out. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above. J. S. Zacek Union College (NY)