Argues that the American electorate does not possess even minimal knowledge concerning political candidates and issues because the size and scope of modern government prevents the public from being adequately informed; recommendations. Why voter ignorance threatens democracy's ability to serve the interests of the majority.
Thurber, J. A.: The study of campaign consultants: a subfield in search of theory, S. 145-149; Medvic, St. K: The effectiveness of the political consultant as a campaign resource, S. 150-154; Kolodny, R.; Logan, A.: Political consultants and the extension of party goals, S. 155-159; Magleby, D. B.; Patterson, K. D.: Consultants and direct democracy, S. 160-169; Farrell, D. M.: Political consultancy overseas: the internationalization of campaign consultancy, S. 171-176
Article, based on the research report Ki sorto di Reino / What kind of Kingdom (1998), presents the outcome of an opinion poll carried out on the 6 Dutch Caribbean islands in 1997-98. The survey covers the views and expectations of the Antilleans and Arubans with regard to the Kingdom, and in particular the Netherlands. Themes covered include the constitutional structure; residence and passport; protection of national territory, democracy, and constitutional rule; economic support; respect; and education.
The Founding Fathers warned about the dangers of an "excess of democracy" and designed the Constitution in large part with a view toward preventing it. Judging from most commentary on American politics, with respect to most of the intervening two hundred years, they need't have worried: The mass public has only occasionally been a dominant force in national policy making. Elites, although often responding to broad public concerns, have usually defined the specific directions of policy change.
THE ROLE OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION IN SPAIN IS EXAMINED IN RELATION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION, AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE POSITION OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN LIGHT OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE REGIME FROM DICTATORSHIP TO DEMOCRACY. ONCE THE DOMINANT ACTOR IN THE SYSTEM, IT NOW PLAYS MORE OF A "MIDDLEMAN" OR BROKER ROLE WITHIN A DECENTRALIZED STATE. FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS OF THE EFFICACY AND LEGITIMACY OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION IN A FEDERALIZING SYSTEM ARE ALSO RAISED.
Evaluates the methods of regulating capitalism proposed by the New Labour Party of GB led by Tony Blair. It is argued that the party's manifesto does not include the goal of full employment or provisions for its support, calling instead for the regulation of capitalism rather than questioning the fundamental capitalist basis of society & the economic inequality it inevitably creates. Such regulations alone are deemed insufficient, as the capitalist system is inherently exploitative of labor. It is concluded that the capitalist system must be challenged & socialism reinvented if workers are to be served by the New Labour Party. M. Nichols-Wagner
Examines the relationship between the military and society in context of strategy and purpose of the military, a culture antagonistic to the military, and the problem of technology; US.
An excerpt from Sklar's Chaos or Community? Seeking Solutions, Not Scapegoats (1995) examines the need for fundamental economic rights & increased equality of opportunity in the US. It is asserted that the increasing global corporate dominance, which is eroding basic economic rights of common people, requires reforms that include all-age social security, fair taxes & income support, full employment, shorter working hours, increased worker rights, an environmentally sustainable economy, military-industrial complex changes, peaceful conflict resolution, social & ecological responsibility, corporate accountability, community redevelopment, the end of discrimination, improved child care, universal health care, improved educational opportunities, & participatory democracy. It is concluded that, without such reforms, US opportunity, equality, & democracy will continue to erode. 5 References. M. Nichols-Wagner
This paper focuses on one company, MDS, the largest provider of medical laboratory services in Canada. It has also been a leader in the move to privatize laboratory services in Ontario. In a free trade environment, with the weakening of the Canada Health Act ensuring universality in services, these efforts promise to succeed. We will see how privatization in this area comes together with "new" management techniques, described in a discourse of empowerment and democracy although it leads to quite the opposite.
Many bemoan divided government and the consequent deadlock of democracy. The logic ofThe Federalistarguably defends it, in ways heretofore unappreciated, by appeal to a least-common-denominator definition of the "public interest." That quasi-Federalistlogic is explored, and alternative political structures are assessed against the public interest criterion to which it appeals. Another and more defensible notion of the public interest is introduced, and its very different political styles, institutions, and policies are adduced.
