Archive 3/2009

Abstract

This work adds to the existing research on regime change by exploring the political history of Czechoslovakia in 1989. Using an integrative approach of agency and structure, game-theoretical models founded on rational choice theory, and the political process model are employed to describe politics in communist Czechoslovakia. The classical works on democratisation by Moore, Przeworski, and Huntington as well as the ‘transitologist’ and ‘post-totalitarian’ concepts are discussed. Moreover, an original consolidative model for interpreting actors and institutions in a non-democratic regime is presented. Finally, this work proposes a new rationality-based model of regime change and suggests that the concept of democratic equilibrium has been undervalued in the existing research, arguing that its role is of crucial importance in the study of regime change.

Key words

Communist Czechoslovakia; 1989; regime change; democratisation; revolution; transitology; rational choice theory;game theory; theory of moves; democratic equilibrium; political process model

Abstract

Scandinavian countries are frequently associated with so called Nordic model. The article deals with last three EU Council Presidency conducted by the Nordic countries (Sweden 2001, Denmark 2002, Finland 2006) and their political priorities. After reviewing the Nordic model and its components, the article proceeds to the analysis of program priorities of these three presidencies. By comparing the presidencies programs and the key elements of the Nordic model, the hypothesis of relevance of the Nordic model for Scandinavian presidencies is verified.

Key words

EU Council Presidency, Nordic model, Sweden, Finland, Presidency Program

Abstract

The paper deals with the agrarian party family in Europe. Authors try to offer a comprehensive survey of historical developments, changes and trajectories followed by agrarian parties during the 20th and the 21st century. The attempt in cross-European comparison is provided because both Western European (Scandinavian, Swiss, and other examples) as well as Central European (Visegrád countries plus Slovenia) are taken into account with emphasis put on agrarian parties in Central European countries. Different strategies of (former) agrarian parties are presented with which these political parties challenged decline of “natural” electoral support of shrinking rural population. Finally, the comparison of ideological and manifesto dimensions of (ex-)agrarian party politics is provided in order to evaluate to what extent there is still a real existing agrarian party family.

Key words

Agrarian Parties; Agrarian Ideology; Central Europe; Western Europe; Party Families

Abstract

Petr Kratochvíl. 2008. Teorie evropské integrace, Praha: Portál, 219 pages. Emil Souleimanov (ed.). 2007. Politický islám. Sborník příspěvků, Praha: Eurolex Bohemia, 335 pages. Marek Antoš. 2008. Principy voleb v České republice: Doplněno o srovnání se státy Evropské unie, Praha: Linde, 191 pages.

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Abstract

Santiago de Chile, 12.–16. července 2009

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