Suchergebnisse

This article compares four recent cases of regime transition in two different regions: Southern Europe on the one hand, & Central & Eastern Europe on the other. Spain is coupled with Hungary, & Portugal coupled with Romania in order to address the question of variations in popular mobilization. Particular emphasis is given to recognizing the importance of collective action & the state in transitional dynamics. While the role of the state has been neglected in democratization studies, this article shows that the moderate or transgressive nature of collective behavior during regime change depends on the perceptions that particular social groups have of the state, which in a Weberian sense is dynamic & multidimensional. 1 Figure, 48 References. Adapted from the source document.

The Swiss system of government is renowned for its high stability, which is traditionally related to institutional arrangements such as direct democracy, federalism, & proportional representation. A more detailed analysis shows that the unique mix of presidential & parliamentary elements of consensual & competitive processes & of collegial & departmental structures may lead not only to stability but to problems of coordination & inefficiency as well. Considering the tensions between the various contradicting principles, basic reforms of the governmental system prove to be most difficult to achieve. 1 Appendix. Adapted from the source document.

This article considers the debate around political & economic independence of banks in Europe, challenging Robert Elgie & Helen Thompson's (1999) proposed solution to evaluating the statute-reading approach to the measurement of independence. The author discusses weaknesses in the arguments of statute-reading & explanations of the measurements of political & economic independence. Elgie & Thompson's conclusions are criticized, offering several explanations as to why the theories put forth by Elgie & Thompson should, in his opinion, be reevaluated. E. Miller