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Teritorijalna rasprostranjenost samoupravnih lokalnih zajednica od bitnog je značenja za njihovo uspješno djelovanje. Za Sloveniju su tijekom povijesti karakteristična veoma različita rješenja uređenja samoupravnih lokalnih jedinica, a poznavanje tog uređenja može ponuditi značajne podatke pri prosuđivanju rješenja za sadašnjost i budućnost. Najslo­ženije pitanje budućeg dograđivanja sustava lokalne samouprave u Sloveniji, po mišljenju autora, jest uspostava pokrajina. Autor posebice ističe daje svakoj značajnijoj promjeni potreban kompleksan i konceptualan pristup. ; There is a uniform standpoint that local self-government is an essential element of democratic order, but there are significant differences in its implementation in particular countries which are also evident in the territorial structure of local self-government units. In Slovenia, in different periods in the past (after 1849 when the first legislation in this area was passed within Austria-Hungary) there were great differences with regard to the kind and number of local self-government units. Thus before the First World War there were more than 1,200 municipalities, and in the period between the two world wars in the Slovenian part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (particularly after the land consolidation in the Drava Province (Banovina) in 1933) the number of municipalities was considerably reduced - to 362 (after the land consolidation in 1926 and 1927). The number of municipalities which were at that time within the Kingdom of ltaly was also reduced - to 62 municipalities. After the Second World War, the number of municipalities, that is localities which were organized according to the world model of government, was significantly increased. After the establishment of the "socialist community" as a commune, which represented a specific "socio-political and economic community" in the socialist self-management system of that time and whose tasks were primarily to carry out deconcentrated state activities, the number of municipalities was considerably decreased (in 1952 to 370, in 1955 to 130 and in 1965 to 62). After the recognition of the Republic of Slovenia as an independent state (in 1991 ), foundations for the introduction of the system of local self-government comparable to Europe were established by passing the new Constitution and the Local Self-government Act, as well as other regulations (and later also by ratification of the European Charter of Local Self-government). It has been shown that in Slovenia, like in other countries, according to the political (but also the professional) point of view, municipalities have to be large enough in order to perform local activities efficiently and economically and ensure a high standard of public services, but at the same time small enough in order to enable citizens to cooperate more closely in pursuing their interests and offer them a possibility to influence decisions. After new municipalities (147 of them in 1994 and 45 more in 1998) have been established, it can be said that the new System of self-government has started operating properly. The most complex issue of developing the system of local self-government in Slovenia will be the establishment of larger local self-government units - provinces. Among other things, because the Constitution contains a specific provision according to which provinces are established on the basis of independent orientation of municipalities, which voluntarily associate in order to regulate and perform local activities of wider significance

If the functioning of the fiscal system implies the functioning of democracy, then the interest in its smooth operation is understandable. Particularly important is its segment concerning the financing of local government & self-government. Well-regulated relations between the state & local communities is the basic prerequisite of economic, social, & any other development. The decentralization of the fiscal system in the Republic of Croatia is one of the barriers standing in the way of achieving these goals. The crucial question is the acceptable degree of decentralization, economically & politically. The experiences of other European countries may serve as a basis for regulating the fiscal relations among the higher & lower levels of government. The central government should retain only those responsibilities that cannot be carried out by the units of local government & self-government. 3 Tables, 25 References. Adapted from the source document.

Teritorijalna organizacija lokalne i regionalne samouprave koja je postojala u Hrvatskoj omogućila je centralističko upravljanje javnim poslovima. Analizira se stanje u pogledu položaja općina, gradova i županija i predlažu osnovni pravci reforme teritorijalne organizacije. Posebno se obrazlažu položaj i osnovni sistemski problemi upravljanja Gradom Zagrebom te predlažu moguća poboljšanja. ; The territorial organization of local and regional self-government which existed in Croatia led to centralistic administration of public affairs. The situation with regard to the position of municipalities, towns or cities and counties has been analysed and basic tendencies of the reform of the territorial organization are proposed. The position and main systemic problems of the City of Zagreb administration have been explained in particular and possible improvements are suggested. The territorial organization is only formally polytypical, since in reality differences in the status of municipalities and towns or cities are almost insignificant, two-tier, counties being units of the second tier, with a great number of small municipalities, In each category of local units, from municipalities through towns or cities to counties, there are very considerable differences in size among particular units. It is proposed to stop the tendency of multiplying basic local units (municipalities and towns or cities), widen independence and responsibility of larger towns and gradually reform the organization of counties. The main systemic problems of the City of Zagreb have not been solved satisfactorily. Zagreb is under the tutorship of the central state government, its relations with the closer surrounding area are regulated badly, influence on the city level is concentrated within the executive bodies, particularly the mayor whose responsibility is questionable, and not even incomplete decentralisation in the form of local self-government within the area of the City has been established for more than seven years. It is proposed to establish such a system which would combine elements of strong and efficient political leadership and an appropriate level of democracy, with the direct election of the mayor by citizens, independence of the city administration of the central state administration as well as multilevel metropolitan administration which would ensure the realization of the interests of the City, but also its close surrounding area.

The US governance model created in the 1930s & known as Big Government is analyzed within the context of its application in foreign policy. The author looks into the foreign policy role of the American federal government, the dynamics of the relationship between the executive & the legislative branches during & following the Cold War period, & the changes occurring after the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. Emphasis is on analysis of the Cold War legacy of the so-called nontraditional instruments of foreign policy interventions or the resources & techniques of covert activity. The author concludes that the extensive utilization of these instruments has significantly undermined the principle of limited federal government as one of the fundaments of American politics. However, in light of the new mobilization of resources in the fight against terrorism, it is necessary once again to evaluate the means of covert activity. 14 References. Adapted from the source document.

In this text the author deals with the analysis of the fundamental legal texts regulating local self-government & administration in the Republic of Croatia & to what extent they are 'the fall guys' to be blamed for the state the systems of local self-government & administration are in. He concludes that these laws are a major generator (though not the only one) of the crisis of local self-government & administration in the Republic of Croatia. 16 References. Adapted from the source document.

In every state, local self-government is part of a political system that, among other things, includes various aspects of the position, structure, & operation of all bodies with public authority. The starting point in investigating systems of local self-government should be the structure of the entire state system: this should be followed by an analysis of the structure of its component local self-governing units. The first part of the research deals with the system's macro-organization, while the second looks into its micro-organization. First, it is necessary to identify what the system comprises, ie, which types of local self-government units exist & what their characteristics are with regard to size, strength, & capabilities for viable functioning; after that, their structures can be investigated individually. In investigating macro-organizations, it is important to pay attention to whether the system of local self-government is single- or multilevel, mono- or polytype, & what the size of individual units is. The study of micro-organization provides a picture of the condition & the composition of certain bodies of a unit, their functioning & relations, their scope, financial situation, degree of independence, forms of control, etc. The article offers a basic outline of the macro-organization (structure & territorial basis) & the micro-organization (of the internal structure & range) as well as of the systems of state control of local self-government in seven European states. These brief outlines of individual systems are followed by a parallel outline of all the systems. 7 Tables, 1 Appendix, 37 References. Adapted from the source document.

U ranokršćanskom kompleksu Eufrazijane u Poreču, nastojanja lokalne zajednice, na čelu s biskupom, da podigne spomenik dostojan slavnih porečkih mučenika, ogleda se u raskošnom mozaiku središnje apside bazilike i podudara s ambicijama vladara koji je posljednji od velikih rimskih vladara. U kojoj mjeri nam ikonografski program Eufrazijane i drugih svetišta iz doba Justinijana pomaže da shvatimo ulogu cara kao neprijepornog arbitra na području ne samo politike već i kršćanske doktrine, pokušat ćemo objasniti u ovom prilogu. ; The article deals, once again, with the famous Early Christian complex in Poreč (named Euphrasiana after the bishop Euphrasius who, in the 6th century, has given the complex its present, vell preserved aspect). Euphrasius' claim to fame, of course, are surely the exquisite mosaics that adorn the main apsis of the basilica (as well as fragments in the apses of the two side aisles). It represents Mary as Theotokos, holding Jesus in her lap, surrounded by angels, local martyrs (Maurus), bishop Euphrasius himself, the deacon and his son. The article traces back the development of this iconographical scheme in the central apse of the sanctuary, characteristic for the 6th century and the reign of Justinian, but traceable all the way to the second half of the 5th century when we encounter this type of representation in two recorded stories about Mary's girdle, found in Palestine and brought to Constantinople where Leo I had a sanctuary built to house the precious relic. This iconography can be explained, and often was, by the gradual growth of support for the veneration of Mary, the Mother of God (Theotokos). The official Church played a major part in this respect (in particular as the result of oecumenical councils held in Chalcedon, Ephesus and Constantinople), following and respecting an existing, growing popular affection (one has to note that not all the Church Fathers were all too happy with this; i. e. John Chrysostom and Ambrose of Milan). One last influence has to be reviewed: the imperial contribution in developing and promoting the image of Theotokos as a token of orthodoxy and the holy patron of the state. By 626 it is Mary who is protecting Constantinople and it is her image which is displayed against the invading barbarians. Justinian is rather clear in stating that all of the doctrinal controversies of the period result from the efforts (his efforts !) to prove that Mary is the Mother of God (Theotokos). The iconography in Poreč reflects the endeavours of this emperor just like his other major »investments« do (Gaza, Saint Catherin's monastery in Sinai, Ravenna). There are many details alongside the main idea that bear proof to the Christian oikoumence of the period which is under absolute control by Justinian. As such, Poreč is not only a message against heretic Arians or Monophysites, but also against the Roman Church, unwilling to accept emperor's control over matters of Christian doctrine. Pope Vigilius is dragged away to die in Constantinople while Wuphrasius, just about the same time, celebrates the triumph of orthodoxy as promoted by the emperor, as does his contemporary Maximianus in Ravenna. Justinian is only appropriately remembered as »Herr über Kirche und Dogma«.