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How Socialism Still Shapes Political Trust: New Publication

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SHORT PROFILE
 

Name: Lucie Bohdalová
Field: Political Science
Publication: How Socialism Still Shapes Political Trust

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We are excited to share that BAGSS doctoral candidate Lucie Bohdalová has recently published an article in an international refereed journal East European Politics which publishes cutting-edge research in the area of government, politics, and societies of the post-communist space. Her study, “Generational dynamics of political trust and satisfaction in Czechia: the enduring impact of political socialisation during socialism,” explores how historical legacy of socialism continues to influence the way people in Czechia perceive politics today.

A question that matters

Why do some generations trust politics more than others? Bohdalová’s research shows that people who grew up under socialism in Czechia remain more skeptical toward government and politics and have bigger democratic deficits, while younger generations born after the 1980s tend to express significantly more trust and satisfaction with democracy.

Why it is important?

The study reveals how formative experiences and political socialisation under socialism still shape political landscape decades later. It highlights clear differences between those who lived through socialism and those who grew up in a democratic setting and it aims to enrich our understanding of political trust, democracy, and how societies evolve after regime change.

Thanks to the funding of the university library, the article is available open access here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21599165.2025.2523437?src=exp-la#abstract