Due to the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the communist system, which had dominated Central and Eastern Europe for over forty years came to an end. There are many complex factors that aided the collapse of communism and the fight for democracy, some being: The enormous influence of Mikhail Gorbachev, the never-ending economic stand-still leaving people desperate for food, warmth and shelter, conflicts within the Soviet bloc itself, developments in Poland on advancement on free elections, and the dawning reality with the influence of media from the West. The list goes on, and with two world wars, the division of Europe, a world warped with ideological conflict during the cold war and political and economical pressures of the late 60's and 70's which had previously shattered complacency about stability and progress in the democratic world, now faith in democratic reason could be fully restored. So why democracy? It was not so long ago when the mention of an autocratic government, one automatically assumed wealth and power, e.g Russia, and the thought of democracy, stimulated feelings of poverty, and a working class' society, e.g. Portugal.
However, the tables have since turned and democracy is now seen to be the only way. When one thinks of an autocratic government now, it is hard not to associate it with the human costs of despotic rule rival to those of disease, famine and war, also immediately associating the thought with such leaders such as Stalin and Hitler who were responsible for the deaths of millions. It is hard to imagine a world without rights and freedom. Being a person of strong opinions I could only imagine myself side by side with (--------------------) leading the underground movements! It defies all logic against human behaviour that one will be told what to do, leading a bleak life with no hope, especially if you are an ambitious or adventurous person.