Archive 3/2019

Dušan Brabec
Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Czech Republic
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6604-9726
e-mail: dusan.brabec@fsv.cuni.cz

Abstract

This article aims to identify and analyse the structure of co-voting ties among the members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. The structure of co-voting ties is approached as a network of members of parliament that represents the rate of co-voting between each pair of deputies that were elected to the lower house of the Czech parliament in 2017. Similarity of the voting of deputies is treated as a proxy indicator of a potential relationship, either co-operation or rivalry between the MPs. This study focuses exclusively on the level of political party groups, their internal cohesion and intra-party co-operation, based on the co-voting ties between all members of the parliament. The main findings of this research are that the dynamics of the internal party cohesion of each parliamentary party and their voting co-operation are heavily influenced by the time the government is formed. As the internal cohesion of political party groups present in the Czech parliament and even the co-operation between them changed drastically after the government of Andrej Babiš got the vote of confidence. This research connects the findings with the previous works on the internal cohesion of Czech political parties.

Key words

political parties; unity; co-voting; legislative networks

Mirek Tobiáš Hošman
Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
ORCID: 0000-0002-9989-9225
e-mail: mth@mail.muni.cz

Abstract

For more than a decade now, a debate has taken place between revisionists and traditionalists about some of the constitutive aspects and the nature of the just war theory. This article argues that revisionism has not been able to provide a practical alternative to the traditional just war theory and that we can satisfy some of the main practical aims of revisionism even within the traditional just war theory framework. The article then briefly introduces the feminist critique of the just war tradition recently presented by Rosemary Kellison and argues that Kellison’s approach promises a more appropriate practical reform programme for the just war debate. Moreover, the practical perspective of Kellison’s account is able to contain some of the aims of revisionism without containing its shortcomings such as its counterintuitive conclusions or deflecting too far from the traditional just war theory.

Key words

just war theory; McMahan; revisionism; Kellison; feminist critique

Jan Krotký
Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
ORCID: 0000-0002-0252-5180
e-mail: krotky.jan@mail.muni.cz

Abstract

Migration issues are an important topic of Czech political discourse. However, little is known about the attitudes of Czech political parties, especially in the context of the securitisation of migration. The value of this article is in the comparative perspective it offers by comparing the pre-crisis and post-crisis periods. This is achieved by critical discourse analysis of Czech parties’ manifestos in the 2014 and 2019 European Parliament elections. Based on the results of the analysis, I argue that the securitisation of migration in Czech party manifestos was already set up in the pre-crisis period; the so-called migration crisis just emphasised this framing. The legitimisation of the framing was mainly connected with the issue of ‘illegality’ and the main security measure suggested was the protection of the external borders of the EU. This study also offers theoretic contributions. I propose to consider securitisation as a pragmatic strategy which should not necessarily be linked to the concept of populism. As my results show, securitisation as a pragmatic strategy is used by parties from across the political spectrum, no matter their position on the left-right political divide, their position on the EU or populist rhetoric.

Key words

migration; securitisation; discourse; party manifestos; Czech Republic

Marzena Żakowska
Faculty of National Security, War Studies University, Warsaw, Poland
ORCID 0000-0002-3245-7684
e-mail: marzena.j.zakowska@gmail.com

Dorota Domalewska
Faculty of National Security, War Studies University, Warsaw, Poland
ORCID 0000-0002-1788-1591
e-mail: domalewska.dorota@gmail.com

Abstract

This article examines migration-themed tweets issued by Polish MPs on the social media platform Twitter by presenting patterns in the narrative on migration as well as identifying determinants affecting politicians’ discourse. The study fills a gap in the literature on the way political leaders discuss migration on social media. The empirical investigation proves that Polish parliamentarians frame their migration tweets around three dominant topics: threat, humanitarian and/or financial aid, and opportunities. The discussion on migration is shaped by several factors: the complexity of the issue, mainly in the area of adopted legislative procedures and mechanisms for their implementation (the political factor), the public response (the social factor), and the public perception of migrants which, in turn, is influenced by existing prejudices and stereotypes (the psychological factor). The complexity of the above-mentioned factors results in direct implications, i.e. the emergence of difficulties affecting the decision-making process of a politician as well as the occurrence of specific reactions of the public to the discussion of the migration topic. In addition, they lead to indirect implications, i.e. the emergence of factors – challenges, threats, opportunities, and risks – that on one hand affect the politician’s rhetoric on migration, and on the other hand contribute to shaping public opinion as well as reinforcing or weakening social fears, anxieties, prejudice, and stereotypes.

Key words

migration; political communication; social media; Twitter; migration governance; Critical Discourse Analysis; Poland

Abstract

Taylor, Brian D.: The Code of Putinism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2018. 250 pages

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Abstract

Polese, Abel: The Scopus Diaries and the (Il)Logics of Academic Survival: A Short Guide to Design Your Own Strategy and Survive Bibliometrics, Conferences, and Unreal Expectations in Academia. Stuttgart: Ibidem-Verlag. 2018. 231 pages

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