PËRPJEKJET E PPSH PËR IMPONIMIN E ZGJEDHJEVE FIKTIVE DHE “PLURALIZMIN E MASAVE” GJATË VITIT 1990
EFFORTS OF ALBANIA’S PARTY OF LABOUR (PLA) TO ENFORCE FICTITIOUS ELECTIONS AND TO “PLURALISE THE MASSES” DURING 1990

Summary/Abstract: The 1990s with its ground-breaking political events leading to the advent of political pluralism and to the end of the one-party system in Albania remains a rich source of documentary evidence and a trove of facts for historical and political analysis. The Communist regime went at great lengths and made considerable efforts to create a new image for itself without compromising the core system and its own political control over it. It firmly rejected the thesis of political pluralism by describing it as a direct result of hostile political pressure from outside and then as political pressure from various protest groups within the country. For the leadership of PLA, the process of creating some sort of formally competitive political organizations, engaging into internal party debates and party consultations with the masses was more than enough in terms of what was acceptable vis-à-vis actual political pluralism. An analysis of the narratives prevailing during this initial period, based on archival and official documents, from Albanian and foreign media reports shows that the communist elite was unaware of the country's actual situation and its challenges. The PLA failed to timely grasp the importance the process of historical transformation towards an open society in Albania. It did not understand the fundamental difference between the concept of state institution and the concept of state power and was willing to tolerate differences only up to the point where its political power could not be substantially undermined. Within PLA, its leaders failed to understand the basics of the concepts of democracy and pluralism. As a result of this, PLA and its leader Ramiz Alia made the utmost efforts to replace actual political pluralism with its fictitious form, so as to ensure the continuity of their grip on the system under the new circumstances without compromising PLA’s leading role.

• Details
• Contents