Archive 4/2013

Denisa Kasl Kollmannová
Department of Marketing Communication and PR, Faculty of Social Science, Charles University, Czech Republic
email: kollmannova@fsv.cuni.cz

Anna Matušková
Department of Marketing Communication and PR, Faculty of Social Science, Charles University, Czech Republic
email: matuskova@fsv.cuni.cz

Abstract

This study is an attempt to outline some initial insights into the practice of PA professionals in the Czech Republic. The main goal of our research study was to describe and analyze the state of the field of public affairs (PA). Our main research focus thus was to describe the current situation and build a solid background of the profession and emerging field for further research: first, we characterize professionals working in the field (their professional background, education, income and goals). Next, we attempt to define the main issues they deal with professionally (such as politics, lobbying, the energy sector, etc.). This is followed by a description of the market itself and the level to which it is institutionalized. Finally, we attempt to analyze how PA as a field is understood and perceived by domestic and foreign professionals working in the Czech Republic. In our conclusion, we also state openly a few challenges we encountered during our research and set goals for future research.

Key words

public affairs, Czech Republic, research, professionals, public relations, lobbying

Martin Jirušek - Katedra mezinárodních vztahů a evropských studií Fakulty sociálních studií Masarykovy univerzity
address: Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
email: jirusek.martin@mail.muni.cz

Filip Černoch - Katedra mezinárodních vztahů a evropských studií Fakulty sociálních studií Masarykovy univerzity
address: Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
email: cernoch@mail.muni.cz

Abstract

The EU has been gradually increasing its emphasis on a common approach to energy security among its members in the last couple of years, and these member states have had to take this tendency into account when developing their own approach to energy policy. Additionally, both EU and its members have been forced to react to several challenges regarding energy security. Reactions and tendencies within energy policies can be assessed on the basis of theoretical approaches that can not only clarify reasons for implementing specific tools and procedures, but also can help to anticipate future development. This article is focused on the energy policy of the Czech Republic and the European Union from the perspectives of strategic as well as market-oriented approaches, which are the two dominant theoretical approaches in this field of study. The aim is to identify how these approaches are reflected in policy documents on both levels during the selected period of time (2004–2012) and what it means in terms of energy policy coordination within the EU.

Key words

energy policy, energy security, European Union, Czech Republic, theoretical approaches, strategic approach, market-oriented approach

Alena Macková
International Institute of Political Science and Institute of Research of Children, Youth and Family, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: amackova@fss.muni.cz

Marta Fialová
Institute of Research of Children, Youth and Family, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: m.fialova@mail.muni.cz

Václav Štětka
Institute of Communication Studies and journalism, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Czech Republic
email: stetka@fsv.cuni.cz

Abstract

Political communication has been undergoing a profound transformation in recent years following the appearance and rapid spread of new media. The use of new media, such as social networking sites and other internet platforms, is increasingly being exploited by all types of political actors, but particularly by those involved in electoral campaigns. Attempting to explore the presence of these trends in the Czech Republic, this paper focuses on the Senate and Regional Council electoral campaigns that took place in October 2012 in the Czech Republic, with the primary aim of comparing the differences in new media usage between candidates. A comprehensive analysis was based on a dataset obtained by monitoring the use of various types of new media by candidates, namely traditional websites, blogs, and the online social networking sites Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The results show that younger candidates in regional elections engage in online campaigning more intensely than older candidates. The findings also demonstrate that Senate candidates use new media more extensively than candidates for the Regional Council. The most commonly used new media in both types of elections were traditional websites and the online social networking site Facebook. Regarding the candidates’ political affiliations, the analyses came to the conclusion that the usage of new media was generally similar for all major parties with one exception. The candidates from the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia used new media very sporadically and, moreover, most of them used no new media platforms at all in either type of election campaign.

Key words

political communication, new media, campaign, Senate election, Regional Council election

Roman Chytilek
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: chytilek@fss.muni.cz

Miroslav Nemčok
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: nemcok@mail.muni.cz

Abstract

This paper maps and compares the main topics articulated by political parties in their manifestos published for the Slovak parliamentary elections in 2010 and 2012. First, the paper discusses the conceptual grounds of policy space dynamics. Next, it outlines the method used for the research, based upon quantitative content analysis of the parties’ manifestos of the Comparative Manifestos Project Group. Relevance of individual issues is measured by their representation in manifestos. The paper also examines the change in parties’ priorities for the 2012 election compared to the election of 2010. With the help of an additional methodology tool, the parties under review are then put along a left-right spectrum. Using this technique, the policy space during the period of both elections is examined. Simultaneously, party shifts along the left-right spectrum that emerged from the obtained data are presented. The final section of the article exposes the descriptive results to the theoretical assumptions about policy space dynamics presented in the beginning.

Key words

Slovakia, election 2010, election 2012, main issues, dynamics of pre-electoral issues, policy space transformation

Miroslav Mareš
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: mmares@fss.muni.cz

Abstract

This article deals with contemporary trends within research on extremism research in Germany. Institutionalization of this research in structures of political science is described, including the international impact of this research, with specific attention paid to the situation in East Central Europe. Next, the article analyzes development within the so-called “theory of extremism,” including new concepts elaborated by scholars (soft and hard extremism, etc.) and developments dealing with the interconnection with terrorism research. Use of results of extremism research by governmental and international institutions is identified. Finally, criticism of the concept of extremism is presented, including criticism of the concept’s politicization.

Key words

extremism research, politicization, securitization, institutionalization, political science

Karel Kouba
Department of Political Science and European Studies, Faculty of Arts, Palacký University, Czech Republic
email: karel.kouba@upol.cz

Marie Nálepová
Department of Political Science and European Studies, Faculty of Arts, Palacký University, Czech Republic
email: namaja19@googlemail.com

Ondřej Filipec
Department of Political Science and European Studies, Faculty of Arts, Palacký University, Czech Republic
email: ondrej.filipec@upol.cz

Abstract

The article explores several reasons why women in Czech politics are underrepresented not only relative to their overall share in the society but also relative to their presence at lower levels of politics. The article tests two principal hypotheses using data from both a unique post-electoral public opinion survey carried out in the Olomouc region in 2010, and from official electoral statistics. First, it concentrates on the structural barriers of female underrepresentation presented by the candidate nomination and selection processes of the political parties. Second, it explores the possibility that more flexible candidate lists are beneficial for female representation. We compare the proportions of preference votes received by women both prior to and after electoral reforms in 2010, which for the first time gave voters the possibility to cast four preference votes and thus made the list structures more flexible. The research design includes both OLS and logistic regression models, which specify the empirical relationships derived from previous theoretical debates. The results suggest that Czech women are heavily disadvantaged by the Czech parties’ candidate selection mechanisms, and also that we do not have enough evidence to conclude that flexible lists are more conducive to higher female representation. The article concludes by considering various institutional means of reducing female political underrepresentation, including the introduction of electoral gender quotas.

Key words

female political representation, gender politics, Czech electoral behavior, political parties, Olomouc region

Otto Eibl
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: eibl@fss.muni.cz

Miloš Gregor - International Institute of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: mgregor@fss.muni.cz

Alena Macková
International Institute of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: amackova@fss.muni.cz

Abstract

Research on political speeches is often done in countries with strong presidential powers, typically in the USA. However, political speeches by presidents are also a critical method of influencing public opinion in the Czech Republic. Therefore this article is focused on the analysis of speeches of the former President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus. Our research is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative content analysis of Klaus’ speeches (thematic units are used as the unit of analysis) found on his website (www.klaus.cz) in the period from 1995 to the end of his presidency, March 2013 (N = 470). We aim to identify the changing structure of political issues in Klaus’ speeches and changes in Klaus’ position on those issues, and to uncover any characteristic features of his speeches (the use of personal pronouns, the role of the speaker, the tone of the speech, etc.).

Key words

political speech, rhetoric, content analysis, Vaclav Klaus, political issues

Jan Kozubík
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: jankozubik@mail.muni.cz

Roman Chytilek
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
email: chytilek@fss.muni.cz

Abstract

The study analyzes the formal powers of current European monarchs, and examines their actual use. We investigate the royal prerogatives of monarchs from ten European nations: Belgium, Denmark, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The text deals with four powers – legislative initiative, royal assent/veto, selection/appointment of the prime minister and dissolution of parliament. The constitutional power is described first; its real use in the period of 1990–2012 is then examined. At the end, a comparison of every single prerogative is carried out, conclusions about the actual position of monarchs in current European political systems are drawn, and a tentative answer to questions concerning the future of kings, princes, and grand dukes serving as heads of state in European countries is suggested.

Key words

monarchy, monarch, powers, legislative initiative, appointment of prime minister, dissolution of parliament, royal assent, veto

Abstract

Kopeček, L. 2012. Fenomén Václav Klaus. Politická biografie. Brno: Barrister & Principal. 320 pages.

Key words

Abstract

Ruczaj, M.; Szymanowski, M. (eds). 2010. Pravým okem. Antologie současného polského politického myšlení. Brno: CDK, 203 pages.

Key words

Abstract

Krouwel, A. 2012. Party Transformations in European Democracies. Albany: SUNY Press, 436 pages.

Key words

Abstract

Kittel, B.; Luhan, W. J.; Morton, R. B. 2012. Experimental Political Science: Principles and Practices. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillian, 280 pages.

Key words