l of its desires on everyone else.
             A good example of this phenomenon can be observed in Poland. In the history of communist Eastern Europe, Solidarity in 1980s Poland saw the largest and most sustained popular push against socialism. As late as 1988, the government in power still claimed Solidarity as a movement of the past, but the persistence of the strikes that emphatically demanded the recognition of Solidarity let to the negotiations between Solidarity and Party leaders. In turn, these negotiations won General Jaruzelski's support that managed to force through the decision to accept the return of solidarity. This accomplishment paved the way for the Round Table talks that have been labeled as "the beginning of the road to parliamentary democracy" (Garton, 18). This negotiated end to communism is a living proof of the importance of pacts and elites for a successful democratization, but it is very important to recognize that these negotiations were initially brought about because of popular actors and thei!
             Another possibility may be that pacts between the elites are unnecessary elements in the transition towards democracy because the outgoing party may be so discredited and in such disarray that it is impossible for them to negotiate with their successors. An example of this case can be seen in Panama with the 1989 U.S. forceful removal of Manuel Antonio Noriega. In the early 1980s Noriega
             ...