The paper draws on various conceptualizations, typologies and legitimation principles of democracy and civil as well as political society in order to explain the Czech political crisis of 1997/1998. Theoretical approaches used by American historians and political scientists for elucidation of the Watergate affair have been exploited in order to interpret the impeachment of Václav Klaus and the weakening of Czech right-wing political forces in 1997/1998.
Habermas's conceptualization of legitimacy and legitimation as well as Erving Goffman's notions of backstage and frontstage have been the most relevant perspectives for clarification of these political processes.