The provision of basic services such as water and electricity and the resumption of economic activity will enable returning refugees to be reintegrated into their communities with gainful employment and acquire a stake in a lasting recovery. Challenges in moving toward a democratic Bosnia remain formidable given the Government of Bosnia s reluctance to embrace the changes needed to establish a participatory democracy, and the low level of civic and political activism among citizens. Holdovers from communist times such as authoritarian governments, with rubber-stamp parliaments and weak judiciaries, hinder progress. There are few checks and balances between branches of government. Fifty years of communism and a bitter war have inhibited Bosnian civil society.
Citizens remain generally disengaged and apathetic towards government and civic involvement.
Government corruption and lack of accountability promote apathy rather than protest. Bosnian election officials have developed the capacity to carry out their responsibilities with limited international assistance, and will be fully responsible for the first time since the Dayton Peace Accords for conducting the national elections to be held in Fall 2000. Each post Dayton election has contributed to emerging political pluralism by eroding single party hegemony, but non-nationalistic parties continue to require assistance in developing practical campaign agendas, constituencies and democratic internal structures. The media, both broadcast and print are in transition, but continue to operate in a murky legal environment. Many broadcast stations will not survive due to unsound business practices, the excessive number of stations artificially supported by outside donors and an economy that is beginning to feel the impact of reduced donor levels.