01873nas a2200193   4500008004100000020001800041022001800059245005700077210005700134250005200191260002200243300001200265520123800277100001701515700001801532700002301550700001801573856008801591       2019                        eng d  a9781315306261  a978113823472700aCivic Engagement in Local Politics in Central Europe0 aCivic Engagement in Local Politics in Central Europe  aRichard Kerley, Joyce Liddle, Pamela T. Dunning  aLondonbRoutledge  a344-3603 aCivic engagement and civil society participation in political decision-making is important for efficient and sustainable public policies. However, this behaviour is difficult to achieve and maintain in countries such as post-socialist societies that have passive social attitudes and low levels of general trust. This chapter describes the development and current character of local political systems, decentralisation and civic engagement in four countries in Central Europe: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. It concentrates on civil society, direct and indirect forms of political participation, the development of civil-society organisation advocacy and citizen opinions about their likelihood of influencing policy. It highlights the low general trust and social capital, passive attitudes, and low voter turnout in these countries compared to other countries in Europe. These features are a legacy of the communist past and are attributable to the negative socioeconomic consequences of the transition process and disillusionment about democratic development. As a result, the development of civil participation in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia has been slower than in other parts of Europe.1 aPotluka, Oto1 aKalman, Judit1 aMusiałkowska, Ida1 aIdczak, Piotr  uhttps://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315306278/chapters/10.4324/9781315306278-23no socket