Archive 3/2007

Abstract

In the article we test certain political scientists’ findings about the influence of various institutional contexts on different candidate-selection arrangements for elections, using the case of Slovenia. Specifically, we examine the 2004 elections to both the national parliament and the European Parliament (EP), where different electoral systems were used. According to different political scientists, candidate selection for EP elections should be more decentralised. We also expected to reveal a higher level of democracy in the processes applied in Slovenian parliamentary parties for the EP elections than in those used for national parliamentary elections. An analysis of formal documents indicates only minor trends (in some parties) of greater centralisation and a lower level of democracy in candidate selection for EP elections compared to elections to the national parliament. Interviews with representatives from parties’ selectors revealed a slightly different picture; some changes in all parties and somewhat bigger changes as well. Larger differences in the selection of candidates for both elections were only discovered in terms of the criteria the selectors employed. Nevertheless, it is hard to speak about the strong impact of different institutional contexts on the aforementioned aspects of candidate selection.

Key words

candidate selection, (de)centralisation, internal democracy, European Parliamentary elections, national election, Slovenia

Abstract

The article deals with the conception of cleavages and the prerequisites and/or possibilities for its application in the study of modern collective action. First, a brief history of the concept is introduced and some of its key later interpretations and elaborations are used to clarify the original theories of social divides and political conflicts, and to explore their structure, character and actors in more detail. On the grounds of these suggestions, the article reviews the cleavage “freezing” thesis and discusses the processes of transformation of modern cleavages, as well as the rise of “new politics” and “new social movements”. Finally, a model of cleavage hybridization is proposed in order to explain the character, political context and history of some major present-day social movements.

Key words

cleavages, Rokkan, collective mobilization, social movements

Abstract

This paper analyses the effect of turnout on the support of different parties in the Czech Republic. It tests hypotheses derived from American and Western European literature concerning the advantage/disadvantage of higher turnout for particular parties, especially for left-wing parties. The text introduces the main theories and research strategies concerning the partisan effects of voter turnout, and then tests several hypotheses concerning this issue. The analysis uses both aggregate and individual level data. The results show that higher turnout is advantageous for the parties whose voters lack strong party identification (ČSSD and the Green Party). On the other hand, it brings lower gains to parties with a disciplined electorate (ODS, KDU-ČSL and partly also for KSČM). The case of KSČM points to the curvilinearity of the relationship between turnout and party support. More sophisticated statistical analysis should be used in future research.

Key words

election turnout, partisan effects of turnout, party choice

Abstract

The article discusses the concept of cleavages in the 21st century. Cleavages are understood as the criteria dividing members of a community or sub-community into groups. The application of the original Lipset & Rokkan cleavage theory on the current socio-political reality can be done only with difficulties, or at the price of considerable simplification (which is the consequence of the defreezing of party systems). Therefore on the basis of the work of Mair and Bartolini, the article looks for the criteria „that makes cleavage a cleavage“. Furthermore, using the example of the digital divide concept, it is shown there are at present latent cleavages in society, but their „strength“ and importance is dependent on their saliency (in connection with political actor behaviour). This leads to the assumption that current cleavages are “dynamic” rather than “static”.

Key words

cleavages, digital divide, salience

Abstract

This paper provides a framework for the analysis of social movements, drawing on political process theory (PPT). The author argues that the concept of political opportunity structure is still adequate, although it has to be re-conceptualized at various points. Firstly, when analyzing contentious politics or collective action, it is much more suitable to handle the social movement as the unit of analysis rather then the protest event. Attention should also be paid to how the concept is applied. Finally, cultural aspects and the context of multilevel governance are implemented into PPT. This framework is used in the second part of the paper to analyze the Czech women’s movement between 1989 and 2006.

Key words

social movements, political opportunity structure, cultural aspect, women’s movement, Czech Republic

Abstract

Marek Loužek (ed.). 2007. Česko-německá deklarace. Deset let poté, Praha: CEP, Sborník č. 57/2007.

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Jan Kysela (ed.). 2006. Parlamenty a jejich funkce v 21. století. Sborník příspěvků k 10. výročí ustavení Senátu Parlamentu České republiky, Praha: Eurolex Bohemia, 287 stran.

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Carl Schmitt. 2007. Pojem politična, Brno, Praha: CDK, OIKOYMENH, Přel. Otakar Vochoč. 1. vyd. 124 pages.

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