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Why do pluralistic media systems emerge? Comparing media change in the Czech Republic and in Russia after the collapse of Communism

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  • Toepfl, Florian

Abstract

A quarter century after the collapse of Communism in the former Eastern bloc, a wide range of scholarly projects have been undertaken to compare and theorize processes of media change in the region. One question that scholars have sought to address is: what were the factors that crucially impacted how these media landscapes evolved? This essay aims to contribute to this debate by juxtaposing media change in two selected cases: the Czech Republic (as a best-case scenario in terms of convergence with the Western model) and Russia (as a scenario where convergence has been limited). Based on secondary analysis of a wide range of sources, the essay systematically exposes 11 crucial differences between the two countries and illustrates how these have impacted the processes of media change. The conclusion sets out how these findings could serve as a starting point and source of inspiration for future comparative research.

Suggested Citation

  • Toepfl, Florian, 2013. "Why do pluralistic media systems emerge? Comparing media change in the Czech Republic and in Russia after the collapse of Communism," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 53148, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:53148
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Egorov, Georgy & Guriev, Sergei & Sonin, Konstantin, 2009. "Why Resource-poor Dictators Allow Freer Media: A Theory and Evidence from Panel Data," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 103(4), pages 645-668, November.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    comparative media; comparative communication; political communication; global media and social change; Russia; Czech Republic; media history; media change; communism; democratization; media systems; press freedom;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B14 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Socialist; Marxist
    • B24 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Socialist; Marxist; Scraffian
    • P2 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies
    • P3 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions

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