Uncertainty as a Technique of the Exercise of Power: An Approach to the Question of Transition

The liberalizing economic reforms of Central Europe are usually presented as the results of determined struggle by the progressive economic reformers of the society who force the party and the government to accept the liberalizing measures. The reforms are understood as a withdrawal of the communist party, a necessary compromise by those who are in power. This paper calls the attention to the fact that the reform—in some Central European countries—has gradually become a consciously applied technique by the ruling groups in their efforts to pacify the society. Reforms created uncertainty and this situation was exploited by the communist parties. The reforms in the hands of the power elite aimed only to make the existing system more efficient and create the illusion of constant progress and enlightenment. Reforms and anti-reforms were mixed together disorienting both the society and those who were in power. But uncertainty as a technology of power can be maintained by the use of ever more uncertainty, by turning ever wider spheres of the society into complete marshland. To maintain power the system had to undermine even itself. Power based on uncertainty is inherently suicidal. But there are political systems which, in order to keep their power, have to commit suicide and kill themselves.