Political Socialization As a Means of Consolidating Pluralism and Democracy in Southeastern Europe

Abstract

Political socialization is one of the basic means of enhancing pluralism, defined as "a belief in, or commitment to, diversity or multiplicity", democracy, the establishment of an open society, transparency and accountability in societies undergoing transition, and will eventually lead to the formulation of a distinctive political behavior. On the practical level political socialization and political awareness will assist the formulation of social groups competing in a pluralist society. This is of tantamount importance since, as noted, “the pluralist model of society is one in which the existence of groups is the political essence of society”. Empirical evidence and hindsight have shown that these groups were either non-existent or marginalized dramatically during the communist era.