Suchergebnisse

AbstractThis paper discusses organized economic interest groups in the Czech Republic placed in the context of the development of interest group activity in the post communist era and how this bodes for the consolidation of Czech democracy. After a brief overview of Czech political and economic developments since the end of communist rule, the origins, evolution and present state of interest groups are outlined. There has been a proliferation of economic interest groups, particularly in the business arena. However, there are some concerns about interest groups activity, which are examined next. The paper then moves to its main focus—the examination of economic interests. It does this by explaining the interaction among business, labour and government in the policy‐making arena and explaining apparent contradictions in the perceived influence of business. This is followed by a similar look at Czech agriculture. The paper concludes with some speculation about the likely future development of interest groups and what this might mean for the nature of Czech democracy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Political and economic importance of Soviet activities since the mid 1970s.

Vor dem Hintergrund des gespannten Verhältnisses zwischen Arbeiterklasse und politischer Führung in der CSSR untersucht der Autor schwerpunktmäßig die Bemühungen und Maßnahmen der KP-Führung zur Pazifizierung und Kontrolle der Arbeiterklasse des Landes für den Zeitraum von 1948 bis 1968. (BIOst-Klk)

This Essay examines Soviet uses of economic trade for political and diplomatic purposes in Latin America. Recent events in Central America and the Caribbean have generated a great number of analyses of Soviet goals and tactics in the Western Hemisphere (Duncan, 1984; Leiken, 1984; Rothenberg, 1984; Varas, 1984; Valenta, 1982). Direct Soviet military aid to Nicaragua, and to Grenada prior to the U.S. invasion in 1983, has suggested a more forward Soviet role in the region. On the other hand, Soviet arms shipments to Latin America, excepting those to Cuba, are a relatively recent response to revolutionary developments that may prove to be ephemeral, or which may encounter stiff U.S. resistance. Given geopolitical realities of the area, the Soviet military option certainly is less viable in Latin America than elsewhere in the developing world. In contrast, trade and aid – and Soviet aid is given chiefly in the form of trade credits – are a long-established, politically safe tactical alternative.