Current challenges of Central Europe: society and environment
In: Varia sv. 29
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In: Varia sv. 29
In: Mezinárodní vztahy: Czech journal of international relations, Band 47, Heft 2, S. 5-28
ISSN: 0543-7989, 0323-1844
The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of civil society in the de facto states of the South Caucasus in the process of conflict transformation. It is based on a field research of the civil society organizations in Abkhazia and Nagorno Karabakh. The data were collected by the methods of expert interviews, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The role of Abkhazian and Karabakh civil society organizations in the conflict transformation is identified as not only positive, but also as having some negative aspects. The study also makes some general remarks concerning the theory of conflict transformation. Adapted from the source document.
In: Politická ekonomie: teorie, modelování, aplikace, Band 54, Heft 2, S. 204-213
ISSN: 0032-3233
The aim of the article is to describe theoretical concepts related to the effects of state subsidies on enterprises & to discuss the magnitude & effect of state aid on enterprises during the transformation of the Czech economy. Subsidies to enterprises during transformation were high, often transparent, & above the European Union average. During 1997-2003 registered state aid reached 362 bn. CZK. More than 90 percent of the total registered state aid went to awards the rescue & restructuring of enterprises. It can be roughly estimated that during 1997-2000 state aid was twice as high as officially registered. Share of state aid to enterprises in public debt increased & reached 70 percent by 2003. Non-transparent channels of state aid distribution decrease the efficiency of state aid, as they distort market signals & decrease motivation for fair competition. Tables, Graphs, References. Adapted from the source document.
In: Edice Česká historie 19
In: Politologický časopis, Band 15, Heft 2, S. 130-145
ISSN: 1211-3247
The presented article aims to answer the question of what the future of militant Islamism in Somalia will look like after the defeat of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). This will be done by analyzing the roots of this phenomenon. Operationalization is based on the violent non-state actor model, as defined by Thomas, Kiser & Casebeer. Next, the most important actors in contemporary Somalia regarding militant Islam will be presented. The Manwaring paradigm will be used to help us understand the success of the UIC. The findings will then be extrapolated into the future to resolve the original analytical question. Adapted from the source document.
In: Politologický časopis, Band 14, Heft 4, S. 283-303
ISSN: 1211-3247
The European Constitutional Treaty is the most important document in the last decade of EU history not only because of its content, but also due to the process of its development. The European Convention on the future of the EU, as the founding platform of this treaty, reveals a number of controversial areas. It is questionable whether it is possible to declare the European Convention a genuinely democratic body & to accept its procedures as part of the EU's future. The aim of this paper is to outline the specifics of the Convention, especially its working methods, strategies & aspirations. The author maintains that the Convention can serve as an inspiration & possible supplement to current treaty procedures, but considering experience to date it cannot be an acceptable procedure for the EU treaties revision. Adapted from the source document.
In: Mezinárodní vztahy: Czech journal of international relations, Band 38, Heft 4, S. 5-23
ISSN: 0543-7989, 0323-1844
The article addresses issues related to the growing importance of non-governmental organizations & social movements in world politics. The key question that the article deals with is whether there are structures of global political activism in the making? In other words, is a "global civil society" being constituted? If yes, how does this "global civil society" relate to local actors? Are global actors partners in the building of local activism? In addition, how do the actors of the "global civil society" relate to states? Do they transcend the confines of the state? In order to answer these questions, the article first describes the evolving debate around the issue of transnational relations. During the last decade this issue has become an important research problem in at least two social scientific disciplines -the theory of international relations & the theory of collective action. Moreover, the attention paid to transnational social movements & net-works of non-governmental organizations has influenced debates in certain fields of political theory where actors described as "global civil society" came to be perceived as the manifestation of reformist hopes associated with globally organized civic activism. This activism is believed to hold the promise of future global democratization. In sum, the issue of transnational relations & transnational political action is an interdisciplinary problem. The aim of this article is to answer the specified questions above. It reflects the most important aspects of the debate on transnational political action. The ambition of the article is to critically assess both empirically oriented approaches & normatively motivated explorations of the possibilities for global democratization through political involvement of transnational movements & non-governmental organizations. The paper maintains that the concept of "global civil society" is applicable for the description of political action "beyond borders" only under the condition that it is not understood as an alternative to the institutions of the modern state & that it is not used in an ideological way. References. Adapted from the source document.
In: Česká společnost po roce 1945 2
In: Prace naukowe Uniwersytetu Śla̜skiego w Katowicach 2235
In: Seria: Nauki polityczne
In: Mezinárodní vztahy: Czech journal of international relations, Band 45, Heft 3, S. 55-75
ISSN: 0543-7989, 0323-1844
The objective of this analysis is to introduce the concept of Asian values and, more particularly, the Asian concept of human rights. The Asian debate on human rights centers around issues such as the human rights generations, individual versus collective rights, rights of states, & the relationship between rights & duties. The criticism of the Western concept of human rights constitutes an inseparable part of this debate. This analysis thus aims at bringing forth a greater understanding of this issue through the study of cultural relativism, which is prominent in the criticism leveled at Western societies. This study starts with defining two core theoretical concepts of human rights -- universalism & cultural relativism. Consequently it presents the major features of the Asian values debate & Asian criticism, illustrating them on the case of Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia. Adapted from the source document.