Tunneling Towards Capitalism in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Over the past decade, Czech society has been bombarded with reporting on a variety of corruption scandals. The most prominent example is tunelování [tunneling], a uniquely Czech form of large-scale corruption rooted in privatization and post-socialist economic reforms. Since it first appeared in print some time in 1996, tunelování has become a staple of the Czech media and public discourses. Its ubiquity makes it a useful lens through which to explore many significant issues in post-socialist Czech society: tensions over the meanings of justice, morality, emergent socioeconomic differences, national identity and international reputation. This article explores the workings of tunelování and suggests the ways these discourses gain meaning within the specific context of the Czech transition.