North Central Europe is a notable exception and NATO's membership decision seems to acknowledge this reality. Yet, this decision, coupled with other commitments, also generates concern about the pace and character of democratic consolidation in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Integral to the consolidation of modern democracies is the establishment of rule of law, civilian control of the military, and responsible parties. Poland, the state which began the transformation process with its Roundtable in 1989, has achieved the first two standards. Yet, although it has held three parliamentary and two presidential elections, pessimism still surrounds its party politics.
Pluralist democracies require responsible parties and a stable and competitive party system.
Poland's alphabet soup generates doubts about the evolution of such a system. Political Parties are considered essential to developed democracies because they mobilize the population, link the electorate to the government, aggregate public opinion, and provide governmental leaders and opposition. The enduring legitimacy of the regime depends upon the representative and decision making capabilities of parties. Parties must be responsive and effective. The party system as a whole must offer voters meaningful alternatives while providing a basis for efficacious governance.