Suchergebnisse

Citizen movements were an important factor in triggering the peaceful East German revolution that abolished the communist regime and contributed to achievement of elementary civil rights that are taken for granted in Western democracies. However, the movements failed in their efforts to resist quick German unification via the largely uncontested transplantation of the West German institutional system to East Germany. This article analyses why the movements could not achieve their aim of a new political order, in their view superior to Western type democracy - one that would guarantee radical democracy and extensive social rights for citizens. Drawing on three prominent perspectives in social movement research it is argued that both internal and external factors contributed to the failure of these movements. Although they might have avoided some minor tactical errors, they had few prospects for strongly influencing the course and result of German unification. Because this outcome was overdetermined, it is incorrect to suggest that the movements missed an opportunity to achieve their goal of radical democracy. (Mobilization / FUB)

This paper attempts to contribute to our understanding of the transformation of East European Academies. It focuses on the reforms of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences since the deep political and economic changes started in that country. The paper is based on an analysis of the main events at the Academy, in which the impact of the new legislation was decisive. It demonstrates basic differences in this process in its two phases, with regard to the adoption of a more radical or a more conservative approach to the reforms. It argues that, although both were controversial, both were realizations of a strategy of survival in the changing political environment, which has led to a diminishing role for the Academy in the rebuilding of national R&D policy.

Why the number of women legislators has decreased with rise in democratic procedures.