The leaders of the democratic revolutions in Eastern Europe quickly faded in the new environment. Democratic elections brought out new and savvier politicians, often from among those who were part of the old regime.
但近来的历史却令胜利者感到了残酷。东欧民主革命的领袖在新环境中迅速消失得无影无踪。新的、更加睿智的政治家从民主选举中脱颖而出，而新领导往往过去曾是旧政权的组成部分。