Archive 4/2003

Abstract

The Draft Treaty estabilishing the Constitution for Europe was developed in the Convention of the future of Europe that was not convened as the constituent body. In addition, it consisted of representatives not enjoying equal rights. The conditions of the draft negotiation are therefore completely different from the treaty revisions that have been made so far. The EU constitution consists of four parts including the Charter of human rights. Although the draft is meant to simplify the EU treaties complex and to be comprehensible document, its analysis demonstrates many problematic issues. This article is focused especially on the most important institutional changes, particularly on the European Commission, weighting of the votes in the Council and the EU presidency. The analysis concentrates on the influence of the proposed modifications upon the institutional co-operation and EU stability. Special attention is devoted to the ratification procedure including the draft presumption that the Constitution will enter into force after ratification by 4/5 of the member states.

Key words

Convention, EU constitution, ratification procedure, weighting of votes, European Commission members, simplification of treaties.

Abstract

This article discusses and compares three different varients of the definition of civil society. The basis of their comparison is the role of Everyman - the possibility for his/her independent action and the defense against state despotism. The first variant, represented by John Locke, defines civil society as a legitimate political order - the State. However, Locke makes it possible to separate State and civil society and thus sketches their independent functions. Everyman opposes the State in extraordinary situations such as an unlawful restraint of his freedom. The second variant, represented by Georg Hegel, defines civil society as an independent sphere, i.e. outside of the State. However, Hegel puts the State over civil society. Everyman is only a submissive person, who obeys the governmental bureaucracy. The last variant, represented by Alexis de Tocqueville, defines civil society as an independent sphere, too. Nevertheless, Tocqueville expects a well-balanced position of civil society and the State. Everyman is an active person, who obeys bureaucracy only if he agrees. All in all, Hegel's and Tocqueville's conceptions see civil society as a permanently existing and independent sphere. Their definitions are significantly different from Locke's definition of the term. Therefore, just Hegel's and Tocqueville's approaches are compared at the end of the article.

Key words

Civil society, state, citizen.

Abstract

This article analyzes problems of definition and typology of political violence. It explains the relationships between the terms "power" and "violence". The definition of violence by World Health Organization ("the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against group of community, that either results in or has high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation") is found by the author as applicable. Political violence is identified by political motive which includes not only ideological, but also ethnical, religious and environmental motives, and in specific cases assassinations of political committed by organised crime groups. Contemporary use of the term "terrorism" (which is a specific form of political violence) makes it more difficult to distinguish between terrorism and war on the one hand and terrorism and other forms of political violence on the other hand.

Key words

Political violence, terrorism, war.

Abstract

Election campaigns are important not only for political parties, candidates and voters but also for boosting the quality of democracy. As such, election campaigns have the additional function of educating voters. Over time, many techniques and styles of election campaigns have been developed. These developments in running election campaigns demand ever increasing financial resources. As a result, the question often arises of the link between greater election campaign spending and the electoral results of parties or candidates. In the article authors firstly present the legal basis of funding election campaigns in Slovenia. In the second part, empirical data about the funding of presidential election campaigns in Slovenia (as one form of election campaign) in 1997 and 2002 are outlined. Based on the analysed empirical data, the authors ascertain that, in fact, there is no positive or negative connection between presidential election campaign spending and candidates' election results.

Key words

Election campaigns, Republic of Slovenia, presidents.

Abstract

Diego Giachetti (2003): Un Rosso Relativo. Anime, coscienze, generazioni nel movimento dei movimenti, Roma: DATANEWS Editrice, 142 pages.

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Abstract

Marcela Gbůrová (2002): Dotyky s politikou, Trenčín: Q-EX, a.s., 222 pages.

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Vít Hloušek, Lubomír Kopeček (Eds.) (2003): Demokracie. Teorie, modely, osobnosti, podmínky, nepřátelé a perspektivy demokracie, Brno: Mezinárodní politologický ústav Masarykovy Univerzity, 379 pages.

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George Tsebelis (2002): Veto Players. How Political Institutions Work, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 317 pages.

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1. 12. 2003

Abstract

Ve dnech 5. a 6. září 2003 proběhl v Praze II. Kongres České společnosti pro politické vědy (ČSPV).

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