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Table 1

Support for the Free Market and Limited Government (percentage of population)

Czech Republic

Hungary

Poland

Slovakia

Yes  No

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

State intervenes too much

59

33

65

32

59

35

73

23

Competition boosts growth

63

15

47

39

63

22

65

20

Growth should be a priority

42

35

44

32

37

27

38

37

Source: Eurobarometer, Identities and Values in the Acceding and Candidate Countries: Full Report (Brussels:

European Commission, 2005).

support of the majority (or at least a plurality)

finance minister who presided over the initial

of the respondents in all four countries (see

wave of liberalization of the Polish economy in

Table 1).35

the early 1990s, is the focal point of the govern-

ment's fury.32 When asked why he named his

party Self-Defense, Andrzej Lepper responded

It's the Corruption, Stupid

that Poland needed defending from people like

More recently, an opinion poll by the

Balcerowicz.

Institute for Public Questions in Bratislava

found public support for many of the reforms

He represents all the evil. It is not true

that Mikulas Dzurinda, the liberal Slovak

that Poland has no money. There is

prime minister, implemented in Slovakia. The

money in the banks and the reserves are

flat tax reform, for example, was broadly sup-

deposited in banks in the West. . . . It is

ported by 58 percent of the Slovak citizens a

untenable that Poland's central bank be

mere two months before the 2006 parliamen-

a state within a state . . . . Both right and

tary election. Only 31 percent of the respon-

the left kept him on, because they're

dents wanted to abolish it. The partial privati-

really one band.33

zation of the pension system enjoyed the

broad support of 53 percent of the public,

with 37 percent opposed. The reform of the

Similarly, Viktor Orban has declared his oppo-

welfare system had broad support of 47 per-

sition to "wild capitalism" and Robert Fico has

called for "capitalism with a human face."34

cent of the public, with 46 percent opposed.

Conversely, only 25 percent of the respondents

Yet there is evidence that, whatever their mis-

supported the reforms of the healthcare sys-

givings about the transition process, Central

tem that included, among other things, the

Europeans continue to accept the superiority of

introduction of small payments for hospital

the free market over socialism. For example, at

visits, while 72 percent were opposed.36

the end of 2003, the Gallup Organization, in

cooperation with Eurobarometer, conducted a

My personal experience when visiting

comprehensive survey of public opinion in the

Slovakia at the time of the 2006 parliamen-

EU accession countries. They polled over

tary election also suggests that economic

Central

12,000 people about their "identities and val-

reforms were not the primary reason for the

ues." The respondents were asked to agree or

rise of the populists. Without exception,

Europeans

disagree with the following statements, "the

every person I spoke to complained about

continue to accept

state intervenes too much in our lives," "free

one thing more than anything else--wide-

competition is the best guarantee for economic

spread corruption among public officials.

the superiority of

prosperity," and "economic growth must be a

True, the kind of grand larceny that took

the free market

priority [for our country], even if it affects the

place in Slovakia under Meciar is a thing of the

over socialism.

environment." All three statements had the

past. Government ministers no longer steal on

8