Dr. Jacqueline Hayden

Summary

In preparation - Voices from the Rubicon: Lessons from the Polish Transition to Democracy (Routledge:) This new book will examine the institutional, political, economic and social choices made in the process of the Polish transition from the perspective of the key players, politicians, academics and other influential actors who influenced or executed these choices. Path Dependency theory posits that institutional choices made at critical junctures in a nation's history influence and predict the social and political environment for years to come. Taking the path dependent analytical approach this book will focus on the nature and motivation of the actors involved in making the institutional choices that determined the path of Poland's transition. The author seeks to understand why certain choices were made and ascertain how key actors evaluate the efficacy of those choices in the light of the experience and legacy of transition. The book will review a range of institutional choices in order to assess the lessons that may be learned for other countries embarking on the road to democratic transition. The current project will draw on interviews conducted with more than sixty five key players at various points between 1980 and 2013.