Descent into Authoritarianism: Barriers to Constitutional Rule in Belarus

The switch from authoritarianism to constitutional democracy has found varying levels of success in the former Soviet republics. Belarus, under President and former collective farm manager Alexander Lukashenka, has reverted from a promising democracy back to an authoritarian regime. This note begins with the historical underpinnings of Belarus\u27 democratic collapse, and then examines the political, social, and judicial factors that contributed. The author concludes with a discussion of how Belarus might regain its democratic footing