Social democratization of the Central and Eastern European communist parties at the turn of the 20th-21st centuries: backgrounds and future prospects

The paper deals with the transformation of former Communist parties in Central and Eastern Europe into social democratic parties. Many of them have managed to become influential political movements, come to power by elections, and, thus, take part in the modification of both political and social and economic systems of their countries. Despite various crises faced by the modern social democratic movement in several European countries, the social democratic parties in general and the ones that emerged from the Communist movement in particular are regarded as a powerful political force in the region under review and a pivotal element amongst left-wing political parties. In this regard, a study on backgrounds to the social democratic transformation of post-Communist parties and their prospects is of great scientific and practical value. In addition, the author examines the role of the Socialist International in providing the social democratization of former Communist parties.