A European Democracy: Why and How?

Author(s): Phillipe C. Schmitter / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

While democracy in Europe took a very long time to emerge and consolidate itself, the democratization of Europe has only just begun and remains a rather remote prospect. The competing national states that composed this part of the world were originally autocratic – with the historical exception of Switzerland, which somehow continuously managed to practice its peculiar form of democracy. Indeed, Western Europe became uniformly democratic only in the mid-1970s with the regime changes in Portugal, Spain, and Greece. And parts of the former Soviet Union have still to institutionalize the accountability of its rulers by way of competitive processes of representation.

Inclusiveness of Suffrage in Post-Yugoslav Region

Author(s): Tomaž Deželan,Damjan Lajh / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Elections are widely justified as devices for consulting the people and thereby deriving their consent to govern (Nakamura and Johnson, 2005). At the start of the nineties of the 20th century in post-socialist states of Central and Eastern Europe, elections became a precious value as a support for the building of democratic political institutions and processes. In this respect, inclusion of the citizenry in electoral and representative processes was vital for the consolidation of democracy in post-transition setting (Birch, 2003: 10). However, holding elections in (post-)conflict societies, for example on a territory of former Yugoslavia, encompassed both dangers and opportunities for democratic and anti-democratic impulses and forces (Nakamura and Johnson, 2005). Namely, institutional choices in a broader context, heavily determined an electoral design in post-socialist settings. Institutional choices were considerably expressed in institutional preferences of leading political actors, i.e. in their interests, goals and values (Kasapović, 1997).

Transformation of the Health Care System in Poland: Achievements and Challenges

Author(s): Jacek Klich / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Health care reforms defined as changes in two basic areas: legal (regulatory) and functional have been taking place in Poland within the broader framework of democratisation of the political system and introduction of market mechanisms in the Polish economy. Democratic principles and liberalization of production and trade constituted the new political and economic regimes after 1989 in Poland.

Političke stranke i potpora demokraciji

Author(s): Goran Čular / Language(s): Croatian Publication Year: 0

Jedno od obilježja hrvatske politike nakon izbora 2000. snažan je porast javne kritike političkih stranaka. Kritika nije povezana s konkretnim političkim strankama - odnosi se općenito na stranke kao institucije, i to na sve aspekte njihova djelovanja. Tako su stranke proglašene odgovornima i za neučinkovito predstavništvo, i za neefikasnost u procedurama javnog odlučivanja, i za stvaranje prepreka većoj ulozi stručnjaka u kreiranju javnih politika, i za gušenje individualne inicijative i političke osobnosti pojedinaca i, naposljetku, za “zapošljavanje po stranačkim linijama” i politizaciju javnog života. K tome, političke stranke promiču korupciju, klijentelizam i podložništvo.

Фіскальна децентралізація доходів місцевих бюджетів на основі механізму формування та реалізації податкових сертифікатів

Author(s): Hanna Butenko,Hanna Kucherova / Language(s): Ukrainian Publication Year: 0

In the article the mechanism of tax certificates, allowing time to replenish the local budget through property taxation, to encourage taxpayers to tax compliance, promote investment and improve the liquidity of tangible assets in the region. Proved tax certificate has considerable potential for the formation of additional revenues of local budgets in Ukraine.

Податок на доходи фізичних осіб у системі децентралізації державного управління

Author(s): Olga Pokatayeva,Nataliya Abramchenko / Language(s): Ukrainian Publication Year: 0

Confirmed by their economic nature income tax is a form of payment for public services provided by local government in the territory. Income tax in Ukraine is the main financial resource for local governments. In terms of decentralization of public administration in Ukraine continues to implement the centralization of budgetary resources from income tax for individuals in need as soon as possible solutions.

A közigazgatási térfelosztás és a kisebbségi kérdés kapcsolata az 1968. évi román megyereform tükrében

Author(s): László Gulyás / Language(s): Hungarian Publication Year: 0

Tisza Kálmán a parlamenti felelős kormány és a megye viszonyáról

Author(s): Monika Kozári / Language(s): Hungarian Publication Year: 0

Tudományos pálya vagy köztisztviselői karrier?

Author(s): István Pál / Language(s): Hungarian Publication Year: 0

Modernization of the Slovak Foreign Service

Author(s): Marcel Peško / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The globalization processes of the 21st century are fundamentally transforming the conditions of Slovakia’s interaction with other countries and cultures as well as the promotion of our interests in the international arena. In the global world diplomacy is expected to also be capable of maneuvering in the environment of many informal and non-governmental structures which supersede national borders. Since diplomacy is becoming a management tool for the regulation of globalization processes in favor of national interests it must be modernized to be prepared to respond even more flexibly to new trends and events. However the modernization of management is a challenge not only for the Foreign Service but also for the entire public sector. Today all elements of public administration are more and more confronted by the pressure to improve their performance and effectiveness.

John Adams az amerikai kormányzatról

Author(s): Gergely Egedy / Language(s): Hungarian Publication Year: 0

The Taiwanese Dimension of the Cross–Strait Equation after the Sunflower Movement

Author(s): Krzysztof Kozłowski / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

For over five decades Taiwan was predominantly perceived by the international community as a function of regional balance of power network in East Asia and of the United States and People’s Republic of China relations. However, after almost 30 years of democratic change, Taiwanese internal politics is slowly growing out of the diplomatic cross–strait framework and Beijing–Taipei economic rapprochement scenarios. The Sunflower Movement protests and November 29th, 2014 defeat of ruling Kuomintang in local elections indicate an introduction of a new variable – Taiwanese society – in cross–strait formula.

The Economic Relations of the United States and China over the Years 2005–2015

Author(s): Przemysław FURGACZ / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The author concentrates in the paper on the trade and financial relations between the United States of America and People’s Republic of China over the period 2005–2015. The growing interdependence of the two leading economies on the Western (the US) and Eastern (China) hemispheres undoubtedly is a salient factor in global economy that needs to be scrupulously studied. The geoeconomic competition between the two states overlaps the concomitant geopolitical rivalry. It is one of the most germane phenomenon in the global economic and political relations of the contemporary world.

Changes Within the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Society: Involvement of the Non–Governmental Actors

Author(s): Miloš Procházka / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Non–Governmental Organizations (NGO) activities in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) are specified by missing mutual diplomatic representation between the two Koreas, and also between the DPRK and the US. This fact helps to increase the importance and prestige of NGOs, the role of individuals and groups in cultural, sport and civic exchanges when participating in mediation of humanitarian and development aid to the DPRK. The entrepreneurs, who are willing to invest in DPRK (despite the adverse conditions) and employ North Korean workers, play an irreplaceable role as well. A summary of these activities provides an overall picture of the presence and impact of non–governmental actors.

Politicians’ Role in Foreign Policy Making in Japan before the Central Government Reform

Author(s): Karol Żakowski / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The decision–making process in Japan has been characterized by extensive powers possessed by the bureaucrats who often overshadowed their political superiors. Foreign policy making was not an exception. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) boasted strong control over Japan’s diplomacy. While the role of civil servants was theoretically limited to the implementation of the decisions made by politicians, in reality the administrative staff used a range of informal sources of power to act as arbiters of state matters. Only after the entry into force of Hashimoto’s administrative reform in 2001 did top–level decision makers gain new institutional tools that helped them to conduct an independent foreign policy on a more regular basis. Without denying this conventional wisdom, I argue that the politicians could occasionally play a significant role in Japan’s diplomacy even before implementation of institutional changes at the beginning of the 21st century. Under special circumstances, prime ministers, chief cabinet secretaries and foreign ministers were able to exert a considerable influence on the course of foreign policy, sometimes even changing its direction. Up to the 1990s the most influential figures in the government had enough authority to overcome the domination of the bureaucrats and impose their own will on MOFA.

Political Leadership and the Security Policy: Negotiations on the US Military Bases in Okinawa under the Murayama and Hashimoto Cabinets

Author(s): Beata Bochorodycz / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The problem of the US military bases, including the relocation of the Futenma military air station and a construction of a Futenma replacement facility (FRF) in Okinawa, has been a difficult and contested issue in Japanese domestic and foreign affairs for decades. In November 1995 Prime Minister Murayama and Vice President Al Gore established a Special Action Committee on Okinawa for deliberation on the reduction and realignment of the military bases. In April 1996 President Clinton and PM Hashimoto decided on the relocation and construction of the FRF in the prefecture within five to seven years. As of 2015 the prospects for implementation seem dim, especially after the electoral victory of the anti–base governor Onaga Takeshi in November 2014. This article focuses on the decision–making process under two consecutive prime ministers, Murayama and Hashimoto, since it was during their premiership that the issue was set on the agenda and decided upon. The article argues that on one hand PM Murayama made several important decisions, but lacking enough experience and power as a minor coalition member, as well as due to short term in office, was not able to supervise implementation of his decisions. On the other hand, PM Hashimoto did exercise strong leadership in regard to Futenma Air Base, but as the LDP president his decisions run along the general policy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is in charge of the foreign policy formation on daily base. Furthermore, the American side agreed to the relocation since the benefits – a new and technologically advanced facility for the US army, entirely paid by the Japanese government, outweighed the hardship of the transfer. In the entire process, the Okinawan community, demanding removal of the bases outside the prefecture, was not consulted and hence the ongoing opposition to the US bases and FRF.

Organizacja Bezpieczeństwa i Współpracy w Europie

Author(s): Agnieszka Bieńczyk-Missala / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

Lewicowość i prawicowość: uwarunkowania autoidentyfikacji politycznych w krajach Europy Wschodniej i Zachodniej

Author(s): Adrian Wójcik,Aleksandra Cisłak / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

Documentos del Consejo de Europa: transparencia y reponsabilidad

Author(s): Izabela Rychel / Language(s): Spanish Publication Year: 0

The experts have been interested in the process of the second language acquisition for many years. However, the significant changes appeared in the second decade of the twentieth century. The establishment of the Council of Europe, an ogranization which associates 47 countries, provided new common standards of the evaluation of the language proficiency. The most important aim of the work of the Council of Europe was to promote the multilingualism and multiculturalism to create between the European citizens understanding and openness for other cultures. What is more, common norms facilitated people the mobility because the certificates they were receiving started beeing recognisable in ither countries. The creation of the CEFR and European Language Portfolio was the beginning of the new way of understanding the process of the second language acquisition which, nowadays, has to be transparent for students. Furthermore, students have become more conscious and responsible for their own learning. The possibility of monitoring their learning process gives them opportunity to work out their stategies and patterns of work. Therefore, they are not just an audience but they take an active part in the second languages acquisition.

ЕВРОПСКЕ ЖАНДАРМЕРИЈСКЕ СНАГЕ: САВРЕМЕНИ ОБЛИК ПОЛИЦИЈСКЕ САРАДЊЕ И ДЕЛОВАЊА

Author(s): Aleksandar Jazić,Obrad M. Stevanović / Language(s): Serbian Publication Year: 0

A significant factor in the implementation of the security policy of the European Union (EU) is the European Gendarmerie Force. The treaty under which these forces were established has special legal significance. Global threats affecting the EU are forcing it to become more involved in their resolution. The European Gendarmerie Force is very important for the EU because it has integrated civilian and military capacities. This is one of the key requirements for successful participation in resolving current global problems. Within the European Gendarmerie Force, full membership is currently reserved only for gendarmerie forces from EU countries. Gendarmerie forces from other countries may have partner or observer status. The European Gendarmerie Force is one of the EU's "hard power" tools. This kind of power allows the EU to be visible in various conflicts and crises around the world. This visibility implies concrete EU actions on the ground. In certain missions, which are very complex, the EU has already started to engage the European Gendarmerie Force, so it can be assumed that these forces will increasingly be engaged around the world. Through the European Gendarmerie Force, the EU demonstrates its strength and asserts itself as a global actor in resolving conflicts and crises.