Archive 2/2004

Abstract

The paper deals with issues of conceptualization of regional parties and regional party arrangements. Regional parties could be defined briefly as independent formations with regional identity, region–based legitimacy and region-based electoral resources. The territorial aspect of their identity and of their modus operandi is the crucial one in this respect. Regional parties must not be mistaken for regional branches of state-wide or supra-regional parties, which are not fully autonomous, independent units. Similarly, it is necessary to distinguish between regional party systems and regional party subsystems. The basic difference between them consists in the presence or absence of relevant regional party or parties. The paper argues that new suitable conceptual frameworks are needed to develop a sophisticated explanation of various combinations of the systemic properties of regional parties and of their patterned interactions within regional as well as state-wide party arrangements. A multi-level approach should be fostered which would enable to assess thoroughly the differing opportunity structures and the nature of territorial–political operational space of regional parties. This might result in the making of complex models of territorial and party-political pluralisms.

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regional parties, regional party systems, typology, territorial and political pluralism

Abstract

This article deals with the concept of epistemic communities (EPCs). It introduces the different understandings of the term and takes Peter M. Haas’s definition as a starting point and guidance for further analysis. The purpose of the article is to map how EPCs emerge, evolve, and influence agenda-setting and decision-making processes. The conditions under which EPCs operate and assume a decisive role in the political process are investigated. The article positions the EPCs approach in the triangle debate framed by the so-called grand theories of international relations (neorealism, liberalism, and constructivism). Because of the quest for conceptual clarity, the relationship between EPCs and other actors engaged in the political process is examined. The following section focuses on the social construction of reality: the discursive practices of EPCs and their role in constituting the knowledge-power nexus. The subsequent part seeks to enrich the current methodology of the EPCs approach by addressing new directions of research. Then, the list of existing case studies is provided. Finally, the question of the sustainability of the EPCs-approach is discussed.

Key words

epistemic communities, uncertainty, knowledge, transnational networks, agenda-setting, decision making, principled beliefs, causal beliefs

Abstract

At the end of 2003, preparatory work began for the establishment of a new Euroskeptical political party in Sweden. This party was established in February 2004 and is running up in the forthcoming European elections. The new party – The June List (Junilistan) – is not the first Euroskeptical party in the party systems of the Nordic countries. After having analyzed the chances of Junilistan to succeed in the European elections, this paper seeks to identify the common conditions for the rise of Euroskeptical political parties in the party systems of the Nordic countries.

Key words

European Union, European elections, Euroskeptical party, Sweden

Abstract

In May 2004 the political systems of Czechia and Slovakia became part of the European Union. At the constitutional level the consolidation of both countries has significantly progressed. In both countries the intermediate system is being consolidated, with the sole exception of the unstable Slovakian party system. The attitude of informal political actors as well as the general populations is not yet consolidated. However, regression of the consolidation process appears to be unlikely in Slovakia, and barely possible in Czechia. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that in the long term the transition process in one of these countries (or even in both) will stall on a low consolidation level.

Key words

political systems of Czechia and Slovakia, transition process, consolidation level

Abstract

The book by Přemysl Mácha „Small Flame in the Mountains, Fire in the Lowlands. Indian Uprising in the Mexican Chiapas“ describes the development of the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN). Czech political scientist P. Mácha used to be an uncritical supporter of the uprising in the south of Mexico, but today he finds some problems in the activities of the EZLN. The book analyzes in detail the roots and history of this guerilla struggle. However, the success of the Zapatista propaganda among intellectuals in Western countries could have been given more critical attention. Nevertheless, it is the best work about the EZLN in the Czech language.

Key words

Mexico, Subcomandante Marcos, Zapatista National Liberation Army

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Jan Outlý. 2003. Strany a stát, volby a finance, Olomouc: Periplum, 136 pages.

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Radim Marada. 2003. Kultura protestu a politizace každodennosti, Brno: CDK, 217 pages.

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Anthony Summers, Robyn Swanow. 2003. Richard Nixon. Arogance moci, Praha: Jiří Buchal – BB art, 638 pages.

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Petr Drulák. 2003. Teorie mezinárodních vztahů, Praha: Portál 220 pages.

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Lubomír Kopeček, ed. 2003. Od Mečiara k Dzurindovi, Brno: Mezinárodní politologický ústav, 177 pages.

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Petr Kopecký. 2001. Parliaments in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Party Competition and Parliamentary Institutionalization, Aldershot: Ashgate, XV + 262 pages.

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