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The notion of local politics in the modern global village is reviewed, arguing that local perspectives may provide excellent insights into broader processes, possibly leading to "glocal" descriptions. Two currents in which local politics are studied from a broader perspective are distinguished: (1) studies in which local power structures are analyzed using explicit sociological & political models, & (2) studies in which local politics are studied in the framework of larger political processes, analyzing the relationships between local & (inter)national politics. Adapted from the source document.

In contrast to US voters, whose behavior is explained in terms of party identification, controversial issues, & degree of trust in public officials, the behavior of Dutch voters is best analyzed in terms of their position on a Left-Right ideological continuum. Analysis of election data from 1970 studied in C. P. Middendorp's Progressiveness and Conservatism: The Fundamental Dimensions of Ideological Controversy and Their Relationship to Social Class (The Hague/New York: Mouton, 1978), as well as data from 1975, 1980, & 1985, reveals a difference between the actual position on this continuum & voter self-identification, dependent on internally defined philosophical variables. The Left-Right continuum can be expressed along two axes: (1) socioeconomic equality/inequality, & (2) libertarianism/authoritarianism. 6 Tables, 3 Figures, 43 References. M. Meeks

There seems to be a growing consensus on the personalization of politics, meaning that not parties but individual politicians have increasingly become the central actors in politics. The media, especially TV, are given a prominent role in this tendency toward 'candidate-centered politics'. In this article we discuss the role of newspapers in this regard. Is there a more personalized & less party political way of reporting in the written press? On the basis of a longitudinal study (1958-1999) of two Flemish newspapers, we found only a modest & gradual tendency toward a personalization of politics. Political parties have not been removed to the backstage of political reporting & remain a dominant player in the written press. 6 Tables, 1 Figure. Adapted from the source document.

All major postwar political conflicts that made up the face of Belgian politics were accompanied by massive protests & intensive demonstration waves. Analysis of newspaper coverage & of gendarmerie (police) archives confirms this for the 1990s. The 1990-1997 period is marked by an increasing number of demonstrations & demonstrators. The disappearance of the ideological & cultural-linguistical actions was, on the one hand, made up for by the further rising of other issues (environmental, antiracist, judicial, etc), &, on the other, by the near institutionalization of very classic issues like education or employment, which both secured their place on the street. There is no ground to call the 1990s dull; on the contrary, the number of demonstrations grew steadily &, especially in Flanders, R. Inglehart's (1977) perspective of the Silent Revolution of postmaterialist values took to the streets. The wider acceptance of demonstrations as a means of action, growing political alienation, & greater openness of the political system are presented as plausible explanations. 6 Tables, 3 Figures. Adapted from the source document.

Main political events of 1999 in Flanders (Belgium) are discussed. Following a description of the formalities, notably budget control issues, leading up to the June 13 elections, the results of the elections & the formation of the new Flemish parliament are described. Although the Christian democratic party CVP emerged as the largest party, it forfeited its governing rights; instead, a socialist/environmentalist coalition consisting of VLD, SP, Agalev, & VU-ID was formed. The development of budgetary agreements is summarized, & main elements of discussions & agreements in the following policy fields are addressed: economy & labor, infrastructure, environment, welfare, education, media, & state reformation. Since the Flemish parliament, established in 1995, is a relatively new institution, organizational & structural aspects of its departments are highlighted & explained, & the developmental processes of each department & office are emphasized. S. Paul

A content analysis of political news televised by the Belgian public broadcasting corporation 1982-1991 focuses on the marginal & commercialized status of its political coverage vs other information. Political news appears last in the broadcast, & analysis is frequently omitted. When political news appears, it is fragmented, actualized, personified, dramatized, or exploited for entertainment value. While newscasters claim that there is little public interest in political news, it is argued that a public will remain uninterested & uninformed when there is limited access to information. Public television producers are urged to rethink their priorities in presenting political news, especially analysis. A current affairs program that includes a parliamentary report is suggested. 8 Tables. Adapted from the source document.

Described is research investigating level of political knowledge among 600 pupils aged 18 (last-year secondary school) in Belgium & the variables that may cause differential levels. Results show that the average level of political knowledge is low. The most significant independent variables are: sex (boys score better than girls), political participation of the parents, mass media, & (in a negative way) school. Mass media are most frequently mentioned as the most important sources of political information, & Rs with a high level of news media exposure score best. Political education at school is shown to have low impact; on the contrary, Rs who mentioned school as their most important source of political information tended to score worst. 29 Tables, 1 Figure. HA

Reviews urban policy in Belgium, particularly Flanders, since 1991. The remarkable success of the extremist right-wing party, Vlaams Blok, in urban areas in both the 1991 & 1994 national elections has increased attention to urban renewal & social housing policies. Today's urban policy consists of two main elements: (1) levying taxes on empty & run-down buildings to promote renovation & reduce speculation & (2) establishing a structural & result-oriented fund that channels significant amounts of money to problem areas. Also, inner-city areas are placed in a regional framework, arguing that administrative city boundaries should include wealthy suburbs, inhabited primarily by people whose livelihood depends on the city, as well as inner-city problem areas. Adapted from the source document.

To ascertain how Flemish politicians first enter local politics, interviews were conducted with 797 politicians elected locally in 1994, yielding profiles of demographic & socioeconomic factors, & distinguishing between ascribed status positions derived from politically active family members & achieved status positions through membership in political & other organizations. The expectation that achieved status would take precedence was confirmed. Many politicians were members not only of their respective political parties, but also of workers' unions, health care mutualities, sports clubs, etc. Some 67+% had at least one politically active family member, & 33+% a politically mandated family member, indicating at least some family influence on a successful career in politics. 14 Tables. Adapted from the source document.

A review of opinion polls & studies investigates the Belgian citizen's political knowledge as a function of individual & personally relevant decision making. Categories of political information include political parties, power relations, special interest groups, competency of elected officials, institutions, corporations, & policy making. While knowledge of political figures with high public profiles is strong, it is found that knowledge of political issues & less important material is lacking in general, with many citizens ignorant of basic political information. 17 Tables, 2 Graphs. Adapted from the source document.

Interview data identified 2 main ideological characteristics of 236 Belgian bureaucratic elites: (1) centrism (avoiding Right or Left extremes), especially on socioeconomic issues; & (2) inclination toward the center-Right. It is suggested that such centrism may be the result of intensive preoccupation with the recent Belgian federalization process. The profile of Left-oriented top bureaucrats suggests a less technocratic approach, less alienation from politics, & greater involvement in partisan politics. To change the centrist-technocratic character of Belgian civil service, a furthering of a more political style of administrative policy making is recommended. 13 Tables, 9 Graphs. Adapted from the source document.