A mood of anger with the political system has been stirring across Canada; yet rather than turning away from the system, many Canadians are actually seeking a greater say in matters that affect them. they want to become more effective participants in the political process. In this timely book, Patrick Boyer examines the important role that direct democracy -- through the occasional use of referendums, plebscites, and inniatives -- can play in concert with our existing institutions of representative democracy. This concept is not alien to our country, says Boyer, pointing to the two national
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This article draws from research with social services agencies trying to run collectively and collaboratively. It argues that applying the experience of such teams has been hindered by their characterisation in the 1970s as prefigurative future socialist forms. As a result, they have often been judged, less by their achievements, than against an idealised model of direct democracy. Their development in the 80s suggests a different picture. Successful Collective working cannot solve, but can balance the tensions inherent in workplace democracy and in the process, offer valuable experience of the pratical problems in defining and building citizenship in other forums.
The referendum, a manifestation of direct democracy, belongs to a more complex whole of which dissolution is also a part. This can be called continuous democracy. Through it, the rulers maintain as permanent contact as possible with citizens, the head of the state, placed above the parties, being at the same time responsible for what is essential at the national level. The constitution of a cohesive and disciplined majority moreover allows presidential power ils full scope. Thus set against one another we find « elective monarchy » and the principle of majority rule.
The Colorado State Constitution provides an outstanding constitutional and historical account of the state's governing charter, with an overview of Colorado's constitutional history, offering an in-depth, section-by-section analysis of the entire constitution. The second edition includes an updated history of the constitution focusing on events and amendments that have transformed the state in recent years including the state's extensive provisions for direct democracy, the initiative, veto referendum, and recall of elected officials.
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California's people, economy and politics: yesterday, today and tomorrow -- California's political parties and direct democracy -- California elections, campaigns, and the media -- Interest groups: the power behind the Dome -- The Legislature: the perils of policy making -- California law: politics and the courts -- The Executive branch: coping with fragmented authority -- Taxing and spending: budgetary politics and policies -- California's local government: politics at the grassroots -- State-Federal relations: conflict, cooperation and chaos
sHeartland Tobacco War chronicles the political and public relations battles between health advocates and forces supported by the tobacco industry in Oklahoma from the 1980s to the present, drawing on previously-suppressed tobacco insider documents and first-hand interviews with key players. The authors especially highlight the role of Oklahoma's "renegade" Department of Health Commissioner, Dr. Leslie Bietsch, in the theoretical contexts of insider and outsider policy advocacy, administrative ethics, and direct democracy.
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There exists an organic parallel between rhetoric and democratic governance. This parallel can best be called "generative logos"—a term used by the Stoics. This helps explain why emotional motivation can, in democratic arrangements, help create stability. In this sense, it is generative logos that unites Plato and Aristotle on the instructive potential of rhetoric in the context of direct democracy—a political arrangement both philosophers, much like they did rhetoric, viewed as being amorphous.
Britain's two major parties have rediscovered their members. For a variety of reasons both the Labour and Conservative parties have adopted pro-active recruitment strategies. At the same time, they have introduced direct democracy as an important part of their internal procedures. A detailed study of Labour's reforms suggests various possible implications for the future, including the fact that the plebiscitarian party might be an increasingly common feature in modern democracies.
Introductorily, it should be observed that the discussed problem's significance is increasingly pressing as our interest drifts towards societies dominated by great, universalizing religions Islam being only one of them. From the above, a question arises of whether the notions of religion and democracy, as mentioned in the title, are reconcilable within a single order in the first place. In his deliberations, Bohdan Chwedeńczyk inclines to the view that three types of relations may be distinguished in this respect: religion favours democracy; is indifferent to democracy; or is harmful to democracy. The discussion of the above opinion has, respectively, developed threefold. In one point of view, religion is by nature contradictory to the democratic order, it is in a sense its direct opposite. In other words, we face a choice of opting either for religion or democracy. Supporters of an alternative viewpoint claim that in the long run, a democratic system is not viable without the basis of notions such as religion, and therefore religion does play a vital part in the social order. It serves members of the public by satisfying those of their needs that do not belong to the scope of duties performed by the state and its institutions. Finally, the third approach basically acknowledges the fact that no definitive claims can be made as to the possibility of agreement between religion and democracy. I must admit that the latter is closest to my personal stance in this respect. Naturally, through careful selection of examples, arguments to support the first or the second of the mentioned opinions can be easily produced. There have been numerous examples of academic and journalistic articles advocating one of the clear-cut standpoints, which seem not to leave much room for discussion. However, the issue becomes far more multifarious when taking into account the complexity of religious and political issues analysed in both theoretical and practical perspective.
In 19th century Britain, the century of reform par excellence, the questions of representation, parliamentary reform and democracy were more categorically discussed. The Great Reform Act of 1832 epitomised hope for many people who felt left out of the suffrage, as it would reform the British electoral system but in fact it undermined the expectations since the vote was based on property and on the payment of a rent. The growing political power of a more dominant middle class and the constant pressure of liberals made parliamentary franchise a need and a reality. For this reason, the 1867 Representation of the People Act, also known as the Second Reform Act, removed anomalies in the system the 1832 Reform Act had not addressed, and extended the vote. Within this framework, the purpose of this paper is thus twofold. On the one hand, we will assess the direct and unintended effects of the 1867 Act, exploring the relation between representation and democracy as the possession of the vote and of political power were not necessarily the same thing. On the other hand, we intend to analyse the construction of a political discourse sustained by several playwrights, such as historians and political writers, to meet political, economic, social and cultural needs. With this in mind, we will highlight opposing views regarding suffrage and the disbelief in democracy focusing particularly on Thomas Carlyle and his 1867 Pamphlet: Shooting Niagara - And after?, and some of the supporters of popular democracy and in favour of the extension of the franchise, namely J.S. Mill, W.E. Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli. In order to support these objectives, we will also bring to light some 19th century periodicals, such as The Illustrated London News, The Sunday Times, The Times and Punch, scrutinising how they cast the debate on suffrage. ; FCT
Introduction. This article examines the modern educational approach in the field of liberal arts and practical finance, democratisation of the decision-making system in educational institutions through the active engagement of students on the example of US schools and universities. This approach is based on initiative, or participatory budgeting, i.e. students are involved in the process of allocation of budgetary funds of schools and universities. Such participatory practice has educational and administrative objectives, as it serves to improve the quality management in educational institutions through the involvement of students in major decisions. Taking into account the fact that students are the key beneficiaries of the education system, their opinions lead to increased efficiency in educational institutions. Aim. On the basis of real cases, the current research is aimed to identify and describe participatory techniques that can integrate the teaching of theoretical knowledge in the field of civil society with the formation of practical skills in this area. Methodology and research methods. Desk research method of analysing primary and secondary sources (websites of educational institutions, academic publications, and articles in the media) and the field sociological method of expert interviews were used. Expert interviews with representatives of schools and universities, teachers, officers from educational institutions, consultants from the Participatory Budgeting Project, the leading consulting organisation in North America were conducted. Results. The results of the study reveal several participatory techniques for students' engagement in the allocation of budgetary funds of schools and universities that are applied in New York and Arizona. The identified and described technologies of participation contribute to the formation of students' knowledge of socio-economic disciplines, practical finance and civics, project management skills, as well as an increase in civic engagement. Scientific novelty. The present study expands the ideas about how to improve the process of teaching social and economic disciplines at schools and universities, practical finance and project management. The method of improving the efficiency of educational institutions through democratic practices is identified. Practical significance. In the future, the proposed approach can be applied in Russian educational institutions. ; Введение. В статье анализируется современный образовательный подход в сфере обществоведения и практических финансов, демократизации системы принятия решений в учреждениях образования через активное вовлечение учащихся на примере школ и университетов США. В основе такого подхода лежит инициативное, или партисипаторное, бюджетирование - то есть вовлечение самих учащихся в распределение части бюджета школы или вуза. Эта партисипаторная практика преследует с одной стороны образовательные цели, а с другой стороны административные, поскольку помогает улучшить качество управления учреждением образования через вовлечение учащихся в принятие ключевых решений. Учёт мнений конечных бенефициаров работы системы образования в лице самих учащихся помогает повысить эффективность работы образовательного учреждения. Цель. Выявление и методологическое описание партисипаторных методик на примере реальных кейсов, которые могут интегрировать обучение теоретическим знаниям в сфере гражданского общества и формирование практических навыков в этой сфере. Методология и методики исследования. В работе были использованы кабинетный метод анализа первичных и вторичных источников (сайты учреждений образования, академические публикации, статьи в СМИ) и полевой социологический метод экспертных интервью. В ходе исследования были проведены экспертные интервью с учащимися, представителями ряда школ и университетов, преподавателями, гражданскими активистами, сотрудниками администраций учреждений образования, а также экспертами Participatory Budgeting Project, ведущей консалтинговой организации в Северной Америке в исследуемой сфере. Результаты. Результаты исследования раскрывают несколько партисипаторных методик вовлечения учащихся в распределение бюджетных средств школ и университетов, которые применяются в образовательных учреждениях Нью-Йорка и Аризоны. Выявленные и описанные технологии участия способствуют формированию у учащихся знаний по социально-экономическим дисциплинам, практическим финансам и граждановедению, навыков проектного менеджмента, а также повышению гражданской активности. Научная новизна. Исследование позволило расширить представления о путях совершенствования преподавания социально-экономических дисциплин и формирования активной гражданской позиции учащихся через проектную деятельность по вовлечению в расходование части бюджета учебного заведения. Выявлен метод повышения эффективности образовательных учреждений через демократические практики. Практическая значимость. Выявленный подход может быть применен в российских образовательных организациях.
Introduction. This article examines the modern educational approach in the field of liberal arts and practical finance, democratisation of the decision-making system in educational institutions through the active engagement of students on the example of US schools and universities. This approach is based on initiative, or participatory budgeting, i.e. students are involved in the process of allocation of budgetary funds of schools and universities. Such participatory practice has educational and administrative objectives, as it serves to improve the quality management in educational institutions through the involvement of students in major decisions. Taking into account the fact that students are the key beneficiaries of the education system, their opinions lead to increased efficiency in educational institutions.Aim. On the basis of real cases, the current research is aimed to identify and describe participatory techniques that can integrate the teaching of theoretical knowledge in the field of civil society with the formation of practical skills in this area.Methodology and research methods. Desk research method of analysing primary and secondary sources (websites of educational institutions, academic publications, and articles in the media) and the field sociological method of expert interviews were used. Expert interviews with representatives of schools and universities, teachers, officers from educational institutions, consultants from the Participatory Budgeting Project, the leading consulting organisation in North America were conducted.Results. The results of the study reveal several participatory techniques for students' engagement in the allocation of budgetary funds of schools and universities that are applied in New York and Arizona. The identified and described technologies of participation contribute to the formation of students' knowledge of socio-economic disciplines, practical finance and civics, project management skills, as well as an increase in civic engagement.Scientific novelty. The present study expands the ideas about how to improve the process of teaching social and economic disciplines at schools and universities, practical finance and project management. The method of improving the efficiency of educational institutions through democratic practices is identified.Practical significance. In the future, the proposed approach can be applied in Russian educational institutions. ; Введение. В статье анализируется современный образовательный подход в сфере обществоведения и практических финансов, демократизации системы принятия решений в учреждениях образования через активное вовлечение учащихся на примере школ и университетов США. В основе такого подхода лежит инициативное, или партисипаторное, бюджетирование - то есть вовлечение самих учащихся в распределение части бюджета школы или вуза. Эта партисипаторная практика преследует с одной стороны образовательные цели, а с другой стороны административные, поскольку помогает улучшить качество управления учреждением образования через вовлечение учащихся в принятие ключевых решений. Учёт мнений конечных бенефициаров работы системы образования в лице самих учащихся помогает повысить эффективность работы образовательного учреждения.Цель. Выявление и методологическое описание партисипаторных методик на примере реальных кейсов, которые могут интегрировать обучение теоретическим знаниям в сфере гражданского общества и формирование практических навыков в этой сфере.Методология и методики исследования. В работе были использованы кабинетный метод анализа первичных и вторичных источников (сайты учреждений образования, академические публикации, статьи в СМИ) и полевой социологический метод экспертных интервью. В ходе исследования были проведены экспертные интервью с учащимися, представителями ряда школ и университетов, преподавателями, гражданскими активистами, сотрудниками администраций учреждений образования, а также экспертами Participatory Budgeting Project, ведущей консалтинговой организации в Северной Америке в исследуемой сфере.Результаты. Результаты исследования раскрывают несколько партисипаторных методик вовлечения учащихся в распределение бюджетных средств школ и университетов, которые применяются в образовательных учреждениях Нью-Йорка и Аризоны. Выявленные и описанные технологии участия способствуют формированию у учащихся знаний по социально-экономическим дисциплинам, практическим финансам и граждановедению, навыков проектного менеджмента, а также повышению гражданской активности.Научная новизна. Исследование позволило расширить представления о путях совершенствования преподавания социально-экономических дисциплин и формирования активной гражданской позиции учащихся через проектную деятельность по вовлечению в расходование части бюджета учебного заведения. Выявлен метод повышения эффективности образовательных учреждений через демократические практики.Практическая значимость. Выявленный подход может быть применен в российских образовательных организациях.
В статье акцентируется внимание на том, что наряду с располагаемыми экономическими ресурсами и целым рядом институциональных характеристик вклад местного самоуправления в решение приоритетных задач хозяйственного и социального развития страны определяется тем, насколько само местное самоуправление отвечает своей социальной природе как института, базирующегося, прежде всего, на началах гражданского общества. Авторы отмечают, что заложенная в 131-й Федеральный закон идея «патронажа» государства в отношении местного самоуправления при минимизации инициативного участия со стороны самого населения в последнее время еще более усилилась. Наряду с бедственным финансовым положением и перегруженностью делегированными полномочиями это ведет к перерождению местного самоуправления в придаток государственной власти. В статье аргументируется мнение, что усиление начал гражданского общества во всех институтах местного самоуправления должно стать ключевым приоритетом муниципальной реформы в Российской Федерации. ; The article focuses on the fact that together with the available economic resources and a range of institutional characteristics the contribution of local government to the solution of priority tasks of economic and social development of the country depends on the level to which local self-government corresponds to its social nature as an institution, based primarily on the principles of civil society. The authors note that reflected in the acting 131st Federal law idea of "patronage" of the state in relation to the local self-government parallel to minimizing proactive participation of the population has increased even more recently. Along with the disastrous financial situation and the congestion with the delegated responsibilities this situation leads to the rebirth of local self-government into an appendage of the state government. In the article the author substantiates the opinion that the strengthening of civil society in all institutions of local self-government and should be a key priority for the further municipal reform in the Russian Federation.
Reckoning with mass crimes perpetrated by an ideologically driven regime entails engaging in a thorough-going exploration of its utopian foundations. In the case of Romania, such an analysis requires an interpretation of the role of personality in the construction of a uniquely grotesque and unrepentant form of neo-Stalinist despotism. Of all the revolutions of 1989, the only violent one took place in Romania. Confronting its communist past therefore involves addressing the abuses committed by the communist regime up to its very last day, its failure to engage in Round Table-type agreements with democratic representatives, and the repression during the first post-communist years, a direct legacy of the old regime. This book shows how moral justice can contribute to a restoration of truth and a climate of trust in politics, in the absence of which any democratic polity remains exposed to authoritarian attack.
