35 years of democracy: Czechs still favor current system over pre-1989 regime
A new STEM analysis reveals that nearly half of Czechs view the current democratic regime as better than the pre-1989 communist system.
Czechs' Perception of Democracy after 35 Years
As the Velvet Revolution becomes a more distant memory, the comparison between the pre- and post-1989 regimes is increasingly shaped by personal experiences and evaluations of today’s situation. This is one of the key findings of a recent analysis titled “35 Years of Democracy,” conducted by the STEM analytical institute in collaboration with the civic group "Thanks That We Can" (Díky, že můžem). STEM has been tracking public sentiment regarding the comparison of these two regimes since the early 1990s, providing insights into how views have evolved over the past 35 years.
One major finding is that personal experiences and evaluations of the current political system play an increasingly significant role in how Czechs compare the two regimes. “Over time, the present-day perspective strengthens, along with the personal feeling of whether the current system provides enough opportunities for success and a good quality of life, or whether the state adequately takes care of its people,” say the STEM researchers.
Rising and Falling Support for Democracy
Opinions on the current and former regimes remain divided. Nearly 35 years after the Velvet Revolution, 48% of Czechs view the current democratic system as better, while 31% consider it somewhat or much worse. The remaining 21% see both regimes as roughly the same.
“The important takeaway is that, overall, the current system is still viewed as better. Among those who see it as worse, dissatisfaction tends to stem from frustrations with the current political leadership, economic conditions, and quality of life. For older generations, unmet expectations also play a role, particularly concerning political culture and economic development,” explains STEM researcher Jitka Uhrová.
Public satisfaction with the post-1989 system has fluctuated over the years. In the early 1990s, 65% of Czechs viewed the new democratic regime positively. By the late 1990s, this dropped to 48%, but improved in the 2000s, holding above 50% for much of that decade. In 2013, however, satisfaction hit a historic low, with only 46% of respondents rating the current system as better.
Improvement followed, coinciding with a better socio-economic climate, and by 2019, satisfaction levels reached similar heights as in the early 1990s. According to Uhrová, these shifts are often linked to political developments. For example, the controversial “opposition agreement” in the late 1990s caused a dip in satisfaction, while dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Petr Nečas's government contributed to the 2013 low. “We then saw a rise in satisfaction again until 2019, as the economy improved,” Uhrová explains.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered another decline. “It was a time of uncertainty, fear of the future, and concern about how society would cope. This affected the downward trend in satisfaction. Then came the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and inflation, leading to further declines in positive assessments of the current regime,” says Uhrová. Currently, only 48% of Czechs rate the democratic system positively.
Views on the pre-1989 regime
The trend in negative assessments of the current system mirrors the trend in positive ratings. In the early 1990s, only 19% of Czechs believed the communist regime was better. By 1997, this number had risen to 35%, but it fell to a historic low of 16% in 2019. Since then, it has risen again, with 31% now viewing the pre-1989 regime more favorably.
Meanwhile, the proportion of people who view both regimes as the same has remained stable, hovering around 20%.
Is It Really Nostalgia?
Demographic factors like age, education, and financial security reveal distinct differences in how Czechs view the two regimes. For example, younger people under 30, who were born after 1989 and have no direct experience with the communist system, overwhelmingly favor the current regime, with two-thirds viewing it as better. Only 13% see the present system as worse.
“Young people generally have a more optimistic outlook. They see the open opportunities available to them and reflect on the communist era through the experiences of their parents or grandparents, but they don’t have direct memories of it,” explains analyst Jitka Uhrová.
Bára Stárek, executive director of Díky, že můžem, echoes this sentiment: “In our work, we see that younger generations have a more positive attitude toward freedom and the opportunities it provides. Young people often appreciate democratic values, freedom of speech, and the ability to participate in political life—things that were lacking in the communist era.”
Among people aged 30–44, most still see the current system as better. However, those aged 45–60 begin to show a growing nostalgia for the pre-1989 era, even though a majority still favor today’s democracy.
“I wouldn’t say this nostalgia is the only reason. For some, it’s their direct experience with the pre-1989 period. The old regime gave them a sense of certainty and stability, and now they may feel insecure, facing issues like unemployment or difficulties in accessing housing—something they feel was easier in the past,” Uhrová explains.
In the oldest age group, those over 60, only 39% rate the current system positively, while 43% prefer the communist regime. “Among older people, there’s been a significant shift since 2019. Back then, 57% viewed the current system as better, compared to just 22% who preferred the old one,” says STEM.
Education and Financial Status Play Key Roles
The survey also shows clear differences based on education and financial security. People with higher education are much more likely to view the current regime as better. On the other hand, those with only a basic education or vocational training tend to favor the pre-1989 system.
Similar patterns emerge when considering respondents’ financial situations. Those who perceive themselves as better off are more likely to rate the current system positively, while half of those in poor financial conditions prefer the communist regime.
“Education and financial security are closely linked when it comes to evaluating the two regimes. Those with higher education tend to appreciate the opportunities the democratic system provides, while those with lower education and financial struggles are more worried about their ability to succeed in this system. They often feel overlooked or unsupported by the state, which translates into a more critical view of the post-1989 regime,” says Uhrová.
Political and Ideological Preferences
Political beliefs also influence how Czechs view the two regimes. Supporters of right-wing parties and the current government overwhelmingly favor the democratic system. Meanwhile, supporters of the opposition and left-leaning individuals tend to have a more positive view of the communist regime.
“Ideological orientation plays a significant role in how people perceive the post-1989 political development. Left-leaning people are more likely to be disappointed with the changes that followed 1989,” Uhrová explains.
Among centrists, supporters of non-parliamentary parties, and non-voters, the current system is viewed more favorably, though about a third still prefer the pre-1989 regime. “Non-voters' satisfaction with the current system stems primarily from the fact that it offers them the freedom of choice, which they value highly,” she adds.
Personal Reflections on 35 Years of Democracy
When asked to compare the two regimes, STEM also inquired how respondents personally feel about the changes since 1989. Only 17% of Czechs say they feel deeply or somewhat satisfied with the progress since the Velvet Revolution, while 33% are predominantly or significantly dissatisfied. The most common sentiment, held by 50% of respondents, is a mixture of good and bad feelings.
“Since 1997, the percentage of people who are explicitly satisfied with the post-1989 development has remained below 25%, which was more typical in the past. More importantly, in the last two years, the number of people with mixed feelings has declined, while the proportion of explicit critics has grown,” the STEM researchers explain.
As with the comparison of the two regimes, education and financial security play important roles in shaping these personal assessments. People with lower education levels and those from financially insecure households are far more likely to be disappointed with the developments since 1989.
The findings from the last 35 years are part of the audiovisual installation “Democracy?” produced by Díky, že můžem and Signal Festival, along with the “35 Years of Democracy” analysis by STEM, with support from Radiožurnál and iROZHLAS.cz.
