Archive 3/2011

Abstract

EU member states are prime examples of post-modern states that have been greatly influenced by blurring of the border between the ‘inside’ and the ‘outside’, between internal and external security. European integration has played an important role in this process. Cooperation within the realms of both Common Security and Defence Policy and Justice and Home Affairs has compromised the traditional role of borders and is reflected by the work of European institutions, such as the Civ-Mil Cell or the Joint Situation Centre. The paper analyses the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the legal basis, institutions, and policy content of EU security. The question is asked whether the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty constitute progress or a setback with regards to a comprehensive approach to security.

Key words

European Union; Lisbon Treaty; internal and external; security policy; police; military.

Abstract

The term crisis is commonly used in intellectual rhetoric, in scientific articles, by people in everyday contexts, and especially in public speeches by politicians. Since references to crisis (rhetoric of crisis) have a particular resonance in the political sphere, a better understanding of this concept is much needed. The aim of this article is to bring the term crisis into the context of political theory. This will be done via reference to the works of Carl Schmitt, Michael Walzer and Classical Realists such as Hans Morgenthau and Michael Williams. The term crisis will be characterized as part of an illocutionary speech act which signifies “politicization”; this means moving an issue from its “ordinary sphere” to the political sphere. On the basis of this contextualization, several models of crisis in the political sphere will be constructed.

Key words

crisis, plurality of spheres, balance of power, autonomy

Abstract

This article seeks to identify functional and systemic shortcomings of the Register of Interest Representatives (the Register) and contrasts them with the Commission’s own evaluation of the Register’s functioning. Special attention is accorded to the analysis of financial data published by interest groups in the Register. The article builds on original empirical research in which quantifiable data from 1063 registered interest groups were evaluated. The analysis of the financial data is complemented by the results of a questionnaire given to the registered interest groups. The questionnaire was addressed to almost one third (324) of interests registered at the end of February 2009; the return rate achieved 22.84 %. The research suggests that the methods for calculating financial amounts are inadequate. This situation is exacerbated by a passive control system of truthfulness and completeness of registered data, as well as by a weak voluntarily motivation to register and by the lack of a sanctions policy. These factors diminish the credibility of the data in the Register. Consequently, the level of transparency with regard to the financial aspects of lobbying is, to a great extent, limited.

Key words

CONECCS, European Transparency Initiative (ETI), European Commission, interest groups, lobbying, Register of Interest Representatives, transparency in decision-making

Abstract

The article deals with the communication policy of the European Union – specifically, the communication policy of the European Commission. Though the Commission has considered communication policy to be one of its most important priorities in recent years, opinion polls and the behaviour of EU citizens during various elections or referenda show that little progress has yet been made in this field. The authors try to uncover the reasons for this situation by examining the institutional set-up within the Commission’s communication policy. In doing so, they base their research on the assumption derived from discursive institutionalism that EU communication policy is characterized by its complex co-ordinative discourse, which limits the potential of its communicative discourse. In order to specify the subject, the authors begin with an overview of current developments in the communication policy and an analysis of the main strategic documents introduced by the Commission. Then, the coordination discourse, first at EU level and second at national level, is explored through the examination of various actors institutionally involved in EU communication policy and the coordination mechanisms present among them. Subsequently, the communication discourse is analysed through research into the communication tools the Commission uses to achieve its goals in the field of communication policy. At the end, the relationship between the two discourses is discussed and potential solutions are proposed.

Key words

Communication policy, European Commission, coordination discourse, communication discourse, democratic deficit, information and communication strategies, Eurobarometr, EU awareness raising

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse the efforts made by the OSCE to contribute to the political settlement of the Transdniestran conflict. As the OSCE is one of the mediators in this conflict, the article begins by considering theories of international mediation and explains the factors that influence the success or failure of mediation efforts. Following this theoretical part, the article continues with an analysis of these factors with respect to the conflict in Transdniestria. It deals with the nature of the Transdniestrian conflict and its causes, describes the parties involved, explains the historical background of the conflict, and analyses its international context, i.e. the role of third parties. The following chapter focuses on the nature of the mediator (i.e. the OSCE) and its mediation activities, and attempts to explain the OSCE’s mediation efforts. The article concludes that the absence of a political settlement to the conflict results from a combination of factors that are both embedded in the nature of the conflict and in the nature of the mediator.

Key words

Transdniestria; OSCE; conflict settlement; international mediation

Abstract

Ladislav Cabada, Petr Jurek a kol. 2010. Mentální mapy, teritorialita a identita v evropském prostředí, Plzeň: Aleš Čeněk, 203 pages.

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Michal Kubát. 2010. Politická opozice v teorii a středoevropské praxi, Praha: Dokořán, 199 pages.

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Kryštof Kozák a kol. 2009. Zahraniční politika USA na začátku 21. století, Praha: Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky a Respekt Institut, 312 pages.

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