Archive 2/2009

Abstract

This paper aims to provide an extensive content analysis of studies and texts published in relevant Czech political science journals. Its major focus is on providing topical analysis of data, while paying special attention to the timelines along which various research areas became subjects of interest in these journals, and to the frequency of appearances of these areas over the course of time. In this way the authors try to identify the major topical areas of publication interest, and in some cases also present hypotheses indicating why particular research areas were/are disproportionately targeted by the journals in specific periods. Finally, the authors analyze the topical preferences of all journals, thus making it possible to identify the scope of their publication policies.

Key words

Czech Political Science, Subdisciplines, Content Analysis, Content Characterization, Czech Political Science Journals, Issues, Authors, Trends

Abstract

The category of antisystemic actors is employed relatively often in political science. The aim of this article is two-fold. First, it criticizes the contemporary usage of “antisystemicity” as too self-contained an analytical concept. In order to demonstrate this, two key theoretical traditions of the term – G. Sartori’s classification of party systems and world-systemic (“Wallersteinian”) research of international political economy and its challengers – are described, analyzed and mutually compared. Their understanding of antisystemic protest is depicted in order to show some shortcomings and inadequacies of their usage of this category. Second, the article strives to theoretically and formally unfold, integrate and further develop the concept of antisystemic contention in order to clarify the modes of its usages for socio-political reality. This inquiry consists of analyses of three key factors of antisystemic collective action – i.e. its object, subject and relations in-between. The analysis of object is basically grounded in Luhmann’s neofunctionalist theory of modernization. Based on a systems theory analysis of society, the article proceeds to grasp the subject-actor as a general and case insensitive category, thus connecting existing concepts of antisystemic political subjects. Further analyzed dimensions of antisystemic protest are its goals and forms of action, but also its penetration by politics and economy. In conclusion, a general three-dimensional typology of antisystemic collective action is drawn from preceding analyses and offered as a methodological tool for empirical research of political contention.

Key words

contentious politics, collective action, systems theory, methodology

Abstract

This article focuses on the topic of parliamentary regime rationalisation in theory and in Polish political practice. The main aim of the analysis is to show what aspects of the Polish parliamentary regime lead to its rationalisation and how this modified parliamentary regime works. Firstly I explain what the rationalisation of parliamentary regime means in political theory. Secondly I review Polish scholarly debates about the nature of the Polish political regime. Finally I analyse the particular factors which have caused the rationalisation of the Polish parliamentary regime as a constitutional framework and political relations. The constitutional framework in this case consists of the procedure of cabinet creation, relations between the cabinet and parliament, the position of prime minister within the cabinet and in the whole regime, and the relation between the prime minister and the president of the republic. Political relations are: coalitional governance, political bases of prime minister and the personality of the prime minister.

Key words

parliamentary regime, rationalisation of parliamentary regime, Poland

Abstract

The concept of civilian power assumes that a civilizing process takes place in international relations. This process is typical of the development of the formulation and implementation of universally binding principles which regulate relations among states, establish a monopoly on the legitimate use of force on the international level, try to minimize violence, promote the development of democratic political structures of participation and attempt to reduce economic and social differences. Germany is thought to be one of two typical civilian powers (the other one is Japan). German participation in the NATO 1999 war against Yugoslavia cannot be simply interpreted as the end of German policy based on the civilian power concept because many features of civilian power were present in the German foreign policy dealing with the Kosovo crisis. On the other hand the main problem is that simultaneously German participation in war against Yugoslavia does not allow us simply to accept Maull’s conclusion that there was no deviation from the political strategy of a civilian power. As a result, this event is a challenge for proponents of the civilian power concept because it has shown the weaknesses of this concept and the necessity to make it more precise. Unfortunately, proponents of the civilian power concept have not taken up this challenge yet. The prevailing explanation seems to be unsatisfactory.

Key words

civilian power, Germany, Kosovo

Abstract

Stefan Gänzle a Allen G. Sens (eds.). 2007. The Changing Politics of European Security. Europe Alone? New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 264 pages.

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Ondřej Císař. 2008. Politický aktivismus v České republice. Sociální hnutí a občanská společnost v období transformace a evropeizace, Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 187 pages.

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Abstract

Peter Horváth. 2007. Politický systém Slovenskej republiky, Trnava: Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda, 137 pages.

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