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The countries of Central Europe in the first round for admission to the European Union have all established constitutional, electoral democracies and market economies. However, much remains to be done to achieve fully consolidated democratic states. This study documents the weaknesses of public oversight and participation in policymaking in Hungary and Poland, two of the most advanced countries in the region. It discusses five alternative routes to accountability including European Union oversight, constitutional institutions such as presidents and courts, devolution to lower-level governments, the use of neo-corporatist bodies, and open-ended participation rights. It urges more emphasis on the fifth option, public participation. Case studies of the environmental movement in Hungary and of student groups in Poland illustrate these general points. The book reviews the United States' experience of open-ended public participation and draws some lessons for the transition countries from the strengths and weaknesses of the American system.

Economic order --- Poland --- Hungary --- Democratisering. --- Verantwoordingsplicht. --- Politieke participatie. --- Beleidsvorming. --- Democratie. --- Political participation --- Transparency in government --- Democracy --- Participation politique --- Transparence (Sciences sociales) --- Démocratie --- 4.430. --- 4.450. --- #SBIB:328H272 --- #SBIB:328H274 --- Instellingen en beleid: Hongarije --- Instellingen en beleid: Polen --- Démocratie --- Government in the sunshine --- Open government (Transparency in government) --- Openness in government --- Sunshine, Government in the --- Transparence in government --- Public administration --- Citizen participation --- Community action --- Community involvement --- Community participation --- Involvement, Community --- Mass political behavior --- Participation, Citizen --- Participation, Community --- Participation, Political --- Political activity --- Political behavior --- Political rights --- Social participation --- Political activists --- Politics, Practical --- Social Sciences --- Political Science --- Political participation - Hungary --- Transparency in government - Hungary --- Democracy - Hungary --- Political participation - Poland --- Transparency in government - Poland --- Democracy - Poland --- Transparency (Ethics) in government