The Czech Experience of Communism

Witnesses and the Image of the Communist Era in Czech Society

This book offers a detailed insight into the historical continuity between the old and new regimes by presenting the results of an extensive quantitative survey of the historical consciousness of those who remember that time. Against a backdrop combining historiographical-political science perspectives and sociological interpretations of the establishment, genesis and gradual erosion of the communist regime, the author shows the social contexts through which witnesses construct or may construct an image of the past era. The main focus is not only on the systemic character of the 'normalisation' period, but also on everyday life in the Husák era. It also highlights the problems of the democratic transformation and subsequent post-November 1989 developments.