1. Przybylski traces the changes in Poland’s democratic history—how did Poland go from what was considered a consolidated democracy to the “sovereign democracy” (i.e. illiberal democracy) we are currently seeing?2. What are the strategies employed by Kaczyński to direct Poland, even though he doesn’t hold public office, and how do these intersect with the policy and legal changes in the democratic system itself?3. What are the variables that Przybylski brings in that he feels may serve as a bulwark against democratic decline in Poland? What do you think?4. Ágh goes through the various problems we have when it comes to classifying those states which are neither fully democratic nor fully authoritarian. What are some of the issues with the process of classificuatoion, and what models does he pull out to use in his analysis of the ECE states?5. Ágh looks at the ECE states in general, and Hungary in particular—how does Hungary fit into the story of democratic decline in the region?6. Is Ágh right when he says this trend can be reversed? Given the evidence provided by both authors, what do you think about the problem of democratic failure in the region?
