The Czech Trump

Populists may soon rule Central Europe from the Baltic Sea to the Aegean.

By all appearances, Czechs should count their lucky stars. After decades of Soviet domination in which the economies of Central Europe performed dismally and any criticism of the regime was violently quashed, countries like Poland and Hungary, like the Czech Republic and Slovakia made the best of their newfound freedoms. Over the course of a few short decades, the size of their economies multiplied. A strong civil society featuring renowned universities and vibrant associations sprung up. Voters used their newfound powers to elect democratic governments—and throw them out once they lost their appeal. Political scientists started to argue that democracy in much of Central Europe was quickly becoming “consolidated”: Having reached all of the milestones of a stable system, the future of democracy in these countries seemed assured.

Appearances, however, have a pesky tendency to deceive. Despite the immense progress their country has made, the mood among most Czechs is increasingly bitter. Though the country is affluent, they are convinced that the political establishment has failed them.

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