Archive 3/2002

Abstract

The present article aims to demonstrate the merits and limits of the micro-system analysis (MSA) of the party competition. MSA has been used for several past decades rather intuitively and still lacks any adequate definition (or even unified theory) and therefore it is conceptually very underdeveloped. This text offers very inclusive working definition of the MSA and argues that distinguishing between qualitative/quantitative approach to MSA and/or bringing various catalogues and typologies of it is an ineffective try. The MSA is characterized by many research subtechniques and can be used in various contexts. Attached case study uses MSA as a tool for a single-member constituency analysis of the federal elections in Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba. The results certainly wouldn't be any pleasant surprise for those political scientists too mesmerized by various so called “Jaws” concerning the relationship between electoral- and party systems.

Key words

methodology, micro-system analysis, party system, electoral system, micro-level, case study, Canada, elections, single-member constituency.

Abstract

David Gauthier’s book Morals by Agreement represents a major work of contemporary moral and political philosophy. The article is intended as an introductory text to his theory, which is considered a contractarian alternative to Robert Nozick’s libertarian philosophy (as put forward in his well-known book Anarchy, State and Utopia). While the Czech reader is already familiar with Nozick’s libertarianism, Gauthier‘s contractarian concept of this radical branch of liberalism hasn’t been in the Czech republic publicly debated yet. Gauthier grounds his philosophy on the assumptions of the rational choice theory and operates with such concepts as “utility maximization”, “equilibrium” and “optimality”. The uniqueness of his approach lies in the attempt to harmonically link individual rational choice (where the rationality of the choice is related to utility maximization) and common agreement on the principles of collective action (which requires concessions from pure individual utility maximization). A key role is then played by the “prisoner's dilemma”, which Gauthier employs to show that not the individual maximization, but a rationally grounded concession resulting in cooperation is actually rational even from the view of mutually unconcerned individuals. Constraints on individual behaviour that emerge from the rational bargaining (Gauthier calls them Principles of minimax relative concession and maximin relative benefit) are then identified with “morality in the traditional sense” - the Hobbesian account of morality as rational constraints on individual behaviour. A brief discussion of Gauthier’s position in the realm of contemporary political phisophy follows, including a somewhat more detailed comparison of Nozick’s and Gauthier’s libertarianism. The article is concluded with the outline of the most relevant critical reactions, not only addressing the single components of Gauthier’s theory (such as adherence to the social contract, initial bargaining position, both principles of constrained behaviour etc.) but also questioning contractarian morality and libertarian approaches to society in general.

Key words

Political Philosophy, Ethics, Libertarianism, Social Contract.

Abstract

This paper contributes to a better understanding of how transnational non-governmental organizations influence domestic politics and policy-making. The paper intends to offer an answer to one important question that haunts researchers in the field of transnational relations: What are the main considerations behind the actions of political actors? The paper claims that the hitherto prevalent approaches fail io provide an exhaustive account of political action. The paper proposes an alternative framework based on the theory oi fields and in turn illustrates it by an empirical case. The selected case is the ongoing conflict over the status and sustainability of the second Czech nuclear-power station Temelín, an issue area that displays involvement of transnationally acting political actors.

Key words

transnational relations, political fields, non-governmental organizations, social movements, policymaking.

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the links between the rise of religious fundamentalism covering radical Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Sikh and Buddhist resistance movements and a spreading wave of nationalism. Despite their diverse origins these movements share in common a stiff opposition to secular ideas and institutions that have been the basis of Weslern modernization projects for the last two centuries. The main focus is to show how religion, with its specific qualities to supply cosmologies, moral frameworks, stable institutions and traditions has come to be a defining character of group identity in more comprehensive and potent ways in the last three decades. A crucial theme of the paper is nationalism, which serves as an ideological cement helping to bind people together and links them fo the broader purposes of the state. As nationalism is ideologically constructed through the interplay of common (or differing) identities most religious movements construct and define their political demands directed internally or viewed as means to challenge and stop what they see as corrupting external threats, through religion.

Key words

religion, nationalism, identity, terrorism.

Abstract

This article discusses the question of the best democratic model for the Slovak republic. The Slovak politics and society were characterised by great degree of polarisation in 1990s. The political elite was fragmented. Within there was run a sharp political contest between the camp lead by Mečiar‘s Movement tor Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) and the camp ot their opponents. In 1994-1998, HZDS tried to implement the majority model of democracy, but the outcome was endanger ot the democratic regime, Afterwards (1998-2002), its political opponents have assumed the executive power and have isolated HZDS. In this era there were reinforced some consensual elements. But, it did not lead to ultimate consolidation of democracy. The Slovak society is divided by several cleavages. The most important are ethnic and culture-society cleavages (the class cleavage is blocked by both of these cleavages). In my opinion the solution of the Slovak problems with consolidation of democracy is the implementation of some elements of consensual A. Lijphart's model of democracy (in the first place the minority veto).

Key words

Lijphart, democracy, Slovakia, cleavages.

Abstract

From the Barents and the Baític Sea in the north, through Central Europe and the Balkans, to the Black Sea in the south a range of new regional groups and co-operation processes have emerged in Europe during 1990s, in the Northern Europe the regional co-operation initiatives now include the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS), Baltic council and variety of another regional co-operative frameworks, which build a new security, political and economical dimension among the three Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and within the whole Baltic Rim. Compared to NATO and EU, new regional groups in former communist Europe have received little attention. Regional organisations and regimes in Baltic countries provide important framework for addressing the growing agenda of soft security, economical and political challenges in issue areas such as democratisation, human and minority rights, economics, environment and transnational crime. Their co-operative approach plays an important role in overcoming the legacy of the Cold War, reducing the risks of military conflicts ano non-military disputes.

Key words

Baltic Council, Council of the Baltic Sea States, NATO- and EU-Enlargement, north-eastern Europe, regional co-operation

Abstract

Apart fom the national states one of the subjects of the process of decentralization is the European Union. Talking about decentralization, together with the principle of subsidiarity the regional policy of the Union is its most significant expression. The contribution of regional policy is even more important, as it is not connected only with the member states. Its influence on the so called applicant countries is enormous. The author describes the development of the regional policy of the Union. A special attention is paid to the analysis from the point of view of political geography.

Key words

European Union, decentralization, regional policy, enlargement.

Abstract

The text “The Constitutional Court of the Ukraine” informs us about the Ukraine Constitutional Court, the seat of which is Kyjev. It is the only authority that protects constitutionality, it examines not only the constitutionality of the acts of Parliament, president, government and other administrative bodies but also the constitutionality of the acts of the autonomous Republic of Krym. The Constitutional Court on the basis of the proposal of Parliament expresses its opinion on the accusation of president of treason, but it is the Supreme Court which decides the issue of guilt or innocence. The Constitutional Court has 18 members, one third of whom is appointed by the president, one third is elected by Parliament and one third is elected on the Ukraine congress of judges. Legal experts who are active at universities - professors and senior lecturers form the majority in the actual structure of the court. Judges cannot be appointed to the office repeatedly and their duties expire at the age of 65.

Key words

The Ukraine, The Constitutional Court.

Abstract

Petr Kolář, Štěpán Pecháček, Jindřiška Syllová (2002): Parlament České republiky 1993-2001, Praha: Linde, 296 pages.

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Abstract

Pavel Maršálek (2002): Protektorát Čechy a Morava, Praha: Karolinum, 347 pages.

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Abstract

Gombár Eduard (2001): Dramatický půlměsíc. Sýrie, Libye a Írán v procesu transformace, Praha: Karolinum, 216 pages.

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1. 9. 2002

Abstract

Diego Giachetti (2002): Anni Sessanta Comineia La Danza Giovani, Capelloni, Studenti Ed Estremisti Negli Della Contestuzione, Pisa: BFS Edizioni, 240 pages.

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