Archive 2/2019

Vladimir Gutorov
Faculty of Political Science of St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8063-2558
gut-50@mail.ru

Alexander Koryushkin
Faculty of Political Science of St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5093-3157
e-mail: aikor@peterlink.ru

Konstantin Zavershinskiy
Faculty of Political Science of St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2609-858X
e-mail: zavershinskiy200@mail.ru

Abstract

The authors discuss the significance of anthropological concepts in the analysis of political culture as carried out in both applied and theoretical studies of current political communications in transitional political processes. Drawing on a history of methodological and theoretical debates in political science and anthropology, the authors examine methodological issues of studying discourses of political memory as a symbolic representation of socio-cultural specifics of temporal dimensions of a given political culture. They emphasize the importance of describing and theoretically analyzing the role of political myths and symbols present in political memory in transition societies and point out that analysis of political myths as a symbiotic mechanism (or as a source of reproducing and delineating ‘political passions’) closely connected with symbolic practices of coercion highlights the role of culture in variability of political transition processes. They argue that a focus on political culture as a historically specific form of social memory allows one to examine differences in models of political culture within structures and practices of everyday life. Using an anthropologically oriented political analysis as a theoretical basis, the authors suggest a new theoretical approach to the study of contemporary political communications and argue for a need to develop new strategies of research of political culture in sociology and political science.

Key words

anthropological dimensions; political culture; political memory; political myth; symbolic re­presentations

Markéta Votoupalová
Faculty of International Relations at the University of Economics, Prague, Czech Republic
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3974-0981
e-mail: votou­palova.marketa@gmail.com

Abstract

Schengen has faced many difficulties since the very beginning but has proven its resilience. Although scholars tend to associate problems in the Schengen Area with a lack of solidarity, they fail to examine the concept of solidarity thoroughly. This article explores how solidarity in Schengen is perceived by the EU institutions and which of its aspects are emphasised. The methodological framework is based on the Discourse-Historical Approach which enables scholars to study solidarity in Schengen within a broad socio-political context. The theoretical background draws on the concept of solidarity. It follows from the analysis that solidarity in Schengen is inherently linked to external borders. Solidarity connected with internal controls is mentioned rarely, which contradicts the existing research on Schengen. Hence, a more detailed approach to solidarity is needed to interpret the resilience of Schengen. Moreover, the question to be raised is not how much solidarity is expressed or delivered within Schengen but rather which solidarity is concerned?

Key words

Schengen; solidarity; interests; discourse; borders; controls

Anna Pacześniak
University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4782-4432
e-mail: anna.paczesniak@uwr.edu.pl

Maciej Bachryj-Krzywaźnia
University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8072-9488
e mail: maciej.bachryj-krzywaznia@uwr.edu.pl

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to provide a theoretical framework for the study of electoral defeat and its influence on party transformation. The opening paragraphs present the state of the art on the topic, which leads to conclusions about significant shortcomings in the existing studies. In order to address them, in the following sections of the article, the authors propose an approach to the issue that is based on a two-dimensional perspective. The first one – the objective dimension – takes into account the environmental aspect and institutional nature of political parties. The second – the subjective – emphasizes the human factor and considers the role of the personal experience of collective failure, and its perception and impact on collective actions as a response to it. On this basis several lines of study are suggested together with appropriate methodological approaches.

Key words

electoral defeat; political parties; party change; post-electoral narratives

Abstract

Lebeda, Tomáš and Lysek, Jakub et al.: Protest, omyl, nezájem? Neplatné hlasování v České republice a v nových demokraciích. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci. 2017. 172 pages

Key words

Abstract

Hornek, Jakub: Politické dopady zadlužování malých obcí v České republice: Případová studie Karlovarského kraje 2010–2014. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON). 2016. 348 pages

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