Lustration laws in action : the motives and evaluation of lustration policy in the Czech Republic and Poland (1989-2001)
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Law and Social Inquiry
Publication Date
4-1-2003
Volume
28
Issue
2
First Page
387
Last Page
439
Abstract
Lustration laws, which discharge the influence of old power structures upon entering democracies, are considered most controversial measure of transitional justice. This article suggests that initial examinations of lustrations have often overlooked the tremendous challenges faced by new democracies. It identifies the motives behind the approval of distinctive lustration law in the Czech Republic and Poland, examines their capacity to meet their objectives, and determines the factors that influence their performance. The comparison of the Czech semi-retributive model with the Polish semi-reconciliatory model suggests the relative success of the former within a few years following its approval. It concludes that a certain lustration model might be significant for democratic consolidation in other transitional countries.
DOI
10.1111/j.1747-4469.2003.tb00197.x
Print ISSN
08976546
E-ISSN
1545696X
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2003 American Bar Foundation
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
David, R. (2003). Lustration laws in action: The motives and evaluation of lustration policy in the Czech Republic and Poland (1989-2001). Law and Social Inquiry, 28(2), 387-439. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-4469.2003.tb00197.x