Problems with the Research of Political Parties and Party Systems in th Countries of East Central Europe - Several Remarks

This article deals with an important topic of the research methodology of the Central and Eastern European political parties. There are many difficulties related to this research; for example, we cannot automatically apply classical theories developed by "Western" political science in the region. The local circumstances do not allow us to use them without adaptation to specific conditions of post-communist transformation. Another problem is that we cannot study Central and Eastern Europe as an integral region. There are too many political, social, economic and historical specifities and differences. Therefore, it is hard to produce analysis instead of descriptions. First, we should know history of these countries; second, we should choose adequate methodology. Third, we should do case studies in order to know the actual situation in all countries of the region and finally, after all these steps are made, we can try to make analysis of the region as a unitary entity.