Suchergebnisse

IN THIS ARTICLE THE AUTHOR VOICES HIS HIGHLY CRITICAL OPINIONS CONCERNING THE FORD-CARTER CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION. THE AUTHOR BELIEVES THAT THE CAMPAIGN FINANCING LAWS LEFT THE CANDIDATES WITH MUCH TOO LITTLE MONEY. THE CANDIDATES HOARDED WHAT FUNDS THEY DID HAVE FOR THE MASS MEDIA. THUS CAUSING A DECLINE IN LOCAL POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND CREATING A SENSE OF THE ELECTION AS A SPECTATOR SPORT.

After describing the civil republican & pluralist/multiculturalist models of communitarianism, it is asserted that the latter paradigm must assist the former in resuscitating civil society. The principal obstacles to such an effort are identified as the fragmentation of civil society, the prevalence of inequality in communities, & civil society's dependence on volunteer labor. It is contended that individuals must become more involved in associational life to sustain political reform; moreover, political reform is necessary to combat various forms of inequality that plague civil society. Rather than strengthen associations, individuals must strive for a pluralist identity in which they participate in multiple associations. In addition, groups that perceive themselves as politically underrepresented must participate in democracy. Rather than providing volunteer workers with guaranteed salaries, an alternative that provides subsistence wages & benefits & allows individuals to maintain their volunteer status is advocated. It is concluded that neoliberalism must be eliminated for civil society to flourish. J. W. Parker

IN THE MONTHS SINCE EHUD BARAK BECAME PRIME MINISTER, IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT HIS GREAT VICTORY WAS PARTIAL AND INCOMPLETE. THIS FEATURE OF INCOMPLETENESS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE DECLINE OF POLITICAL PARTIES. BECAUSE PARTIES ARE NO LONGER POWERFUL, WINNING AN ELECTION NO LONGER MEANS THAT ONE CAN ENACT A PROGRAM. UNFORTUNATELY FOR BARAK, THE DECLINE OF ISRAEL'S LABOR PARTY IS QUITE EXTRAORDINARY. AT THIS POINT, BARAK'S COALITION STARTS WITH LABOR BUT ENDS SIX PARTIES LATER. AS A RESULT, AT LEAST A THIRD COALITION WILL BE NECESSARY IF THE PRIME MINISTER IS TO PUSH HIS AGENDA. SINCE BARAK'S AGENDA IS PEACE, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE DEMANDS OF LABOR'S COALITION PARTNERS WILL BE EXTORTIONIST, AND SOME OF THEM AT LEAST WILL BE CONCEDED. HOWEVER, AS ISRAELIS OVERWHELMING KNOW, THE VALUE OF PEACE IS HIGH AND THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY THE NECESSARY PRICE.

THE U.S. IS APPARENTLY READY TO KILL SERBIAN SOLDIERS, BUT IT IS NOT READY TO SEND AMERICAN SOLDIERS INTO BATTLE. THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARGUE THAT KOSOVO'S PROBLEMS ARE NOT THE PROBLEMS OF THE UNITED STATES, SO THEREFORE, U.S. LIVES SHOULD NOT BE RISKED. THIS VIEW IS UNDERSTANDABLE. EVEN SO, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MOST IN THE U.S. TO JUST SIT BY AND WATCH THE DESTRUCTION AND DEATH. THE PRICE OF SITTING AND DOING NOTHING IS A KIND OF MORAL CORRUPTION THAT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES MUST ALWAYS RESIST.

Explores the meanings of the Left's commitments to liberty, equality, & solidarity in contemporary societies, arguing that pluralism is fundamental to each. Complex forms of equality & solidarity that promote freedom are advocated; ie, it is suggested that all people cannot be equal in all spheres of life, but that inequalities should be widely distributed & vary independently. Likewise, solidarity can not be overriding, but must instead consist of multiple, overlapping memberships & relationships linked by the ideals of cooperation & citizenship. The role of the state in protecting & promoting pluralism-based freedom, equality, & solidarity is sketched. It includes safeguarding the components of civil society from market domination & providing funding for the welfare activities of voluntary associations. E. Blackwell

IN THE SUMMER OF 1998 THE BONES OF CZAR NICHOLAS II AND HIS FAMILY WERE SOLEMNLY REBURIED IN ST. PETERSBURG ACCORDING TO THE RITES OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH, WITH BORIS YELTSIN, PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN REPUBLIC AND FORMER COMMUNIST BOSS OF SVERDLOVSK, IN ATTENDANCE: THE NEAREST THING TO A STATE FUNERAL. THIS ARTICLE MAINTAINS THAT THIS MOVE WAS INAPPROPRIATE. ANY NEW POLITICAL REGIME IS DECISIVELY SHAPED BY THE WAY IT DEALS WITH THE OLD REGIME. IN RUSSIA THERE HASN'T YET BEEN ANYTHING LIKE A FULL ENCOUNTER, A PUBLIC RECKONING WITH COMMUNIST CRIMES. ALL THAT RUSSIANS HAVE MANAGED SO FAR IS THE CZAR'S FUNERAL.

Examines the politics of intervention in the Third World, arguing that most recent interventions -- the US in Somalia, the Europeans in Bosnia, the French in Rwanda -- were motivated not by issues of justice or national interest but by an overriding concern for protecting or enhancing a government's political standing at home. Arguments for & against humanitarian intervention are discussed, & it is contended that humanitarian interventions & peacekeeping operations will be ineffective unless there is a willingness to accept the risks that naturally attach to all military acts directed against people or groups who are already using force. W. Howard

Investigates the power of current American versions of the critique. Offers a less powerful version more available to incorporation within liberal or social democratic political models. The main problem with the communitarian critique is that its 2 main criticisms of liberalism cannot both be wholly correct. (SJK)