Suchergebnisse

Considers the intellectual history of the journal Commentary in light of its 50th anniversary. Only 8 of the 72 writers asked to participate in a symposium for its Nov 1996 special anniversary issue could not be classified as conservatives. This ideological uniformity is lamented as a consequence of the vitriolic polemics launched against the New Left by editor Norman Podhoretz in the 1960s & 1970s, & the rise of Reaganism during the 1980s. A restoration of something like the old Commentary is judged as unlikely given the erosion of a coherent extraacademic intellectual community of readers & writers. It is concluded that the journal should discontinue its anti-Left bent to seek & recognize common ground with its ideological opponents. D. M. Smith

Examines the political structure and social and human rights situation; view that signs of progress have proven false or not confirmed.

Argues that the current political debate in Germany does not support the idea that a strong New Right political movement is being formed. Summary in English p. 209. Contrary to the views expressed by Jacob Heilbrunn, coeditor of The New Republic, in the Dec. 1996 issue.

Describes plans for holding a parliamentary election on June 5, 1997, the first since cancellation of the 1991 polls and outlawing of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS); prospects for an end to killings and bomb attacks.

Describes the Nov. 1996 presidential and parliamentary elections which replaced Kenneth Kaunda and the United National Independence Party with Frederick Chiluba and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, and its aftermath.

Determines the contemporary effects of political corruption in Italy's national government, using judicial reports, findings from parliamentary inquiry commissions, parliamentany demands for indictments, & media coverage. Several examples of political corruption that have contributed to cost elevation, quality reduction, & extension of public works projects are presented. The consequences of the transaction costs involved in political bribery are considered, eg, the slowing-down of legitimate legislative processes & requests as well as the separation of the public market. An analysis of public opinion regarding the efficacy & objectivity of Italian governmental procedures indicates that corruption has accelerated the growth of public mistrust. It is subsequently concluded that mistrust is both a prerequisite for & a consequence of political corruption; moreover, political corruption is especially devastating to democratic institutions. 19 References. J. W. Parker

Argues that the electoral system places politicians in the position of continually needing to run for office and to raise large sums of money to finance their campaigns, hindering their ability to govern.

Examines post-communist political and economic developments, including institution of elections, adoption of a democratic Constitution, and the progress of structural adjustment, 1989-97; Bulgaria. Summary in English p. 219.

Describes the Oct. 1996 elections, prospects for democracy in its aftermath, and issues relating to property and privatization.

Discusses ongoing expansion of democracy to non-Western cultures and its devolution to local communities; examines challenges posed to democracy by economic decline, poverty, and corruption. Covers Russia, South Africa, Venezuela, Poland, Bolivia, and Brazil, among others.