Suchergebnisse

Alphabetische Liste asiatischer Regional-Organisationen. Die verschiedenen Regime in Indochina (Kambodscha, Laos, Vietnam). Mitgliedsstrukturen dieser Länder in asiatischen Regional-Organisationen. Veränderung der Mitgliedschaften seit 1950. (HWWA-Inst. f. Wirtschaftsforschung)

Many of the debates among competing paradigms in political science are concerned with peripheral elements rather than the basic assumptions of the paradigms. Since the major assumptions of any paradigm are rooted in metaphysical theories of the nature of reality, tests of one paradigm are likely to deal with phenomena that may not be considered in another. The article outlines the main metaphysical theories —materialism, idealism, and dualism —then proceeds to demonstrate that the primacy of matter versus ideas is central to paradigms of explanation in one area of political science, namely, theories of urban unrest. A survey of competing theories highlights the metaphysical assumptions and methodological preferences of each contending paradigm. The article argues that more attention should be paid to the metaphysical assumptions of paradigms in order to sharpen the focus of the research agenda.

Since national independence and national unification are often viewed as norms of the international polity, divided states and peoples are considered abnormal, and there are a variety of theories seeking to show how a divided people can achieve unification. Some theories stress the role of attitudes, others focus on material conditions, such as levels of communication and trade. In the study of integrative efforts in Western Europe, there has been some controversy over the assessments based on disparate theoretical perspectives. In order to identify the issues involved, the paper provides a guide to the theories and definitions used by the following: Karl Deutsch, Ernst Haas, David Mitrany, Joseph Nye, Amitai Etzioni, Leon Lindberg and Stuart Scheingold, Johan Galtung, and others. Applications of integration theory paradigms to Third World countries have demonstrated additional problems in academic theorizing about political unification. Nonetheless, while interest in European integration is decreasing, the era of the New International Economic Order presupposes increased concern for integrative efforts in the Third World. The paper concludes with an examination of current prospects toward Korean unification in light of existing theoretical approaches and trends. The main need today is to construct an infrastructure of informal interaction between the peoples of North and South. After social communication is frequent, the two regimes can take up proposals for formal integration in more practical terms.

The paper proceeds by specifying alternative scenarios dealing with the conflict over Kampuchea involving Vietnam, Kampuchean rival factions, Thailand and the other members of the Association of South East Asian Nations, and the superpowers who seek to assert themselves in Indochina. Scenario I is a continuation of the present struggle to unseat the Vietnamese-sponsored regime in Phnom Penh. Scenario II is a neutral or neutralized Kampuchea, Scenario III is a detente involving all of the countries involved, recognizing the current regime in Phnom Penh as the sole legitimate representative of the country. The paper analyzes the three scenarios in terms of desirability and feasibility. It concludes that Scenario III is the most desirable and feasible for most parties concerned. (Internat. Polit. Science Assoc.)