The article, seeking an answer to the question of the role of political parties in the life of each modern democratic state and society, focuses on one of the key issues of the existence of each political party - their funding. Having established that state support in trying to protect these political entities from the potential influence of external individual donors, based on the experience of foreign countries it is necessary to provide insights into the possible models of such financing, their advantages and disadvantages. The article also reviews recent attempts to change the funding model of political parties in the Republic of Lithuania and the reasons for such attempts, and presents arguments that justify the possible influence of such inspirations on political processes in the country.
The article, seeking an answer to the question of the role of political parties in the life of each modern democratic state and society, focuses on one of the key issues of the existence of each political party - their funding. Having established that state support in trying to protect these political entities from the potential influence of external individual donors, based on the experience of foreign countries it is necessary to provide insights into the possible models of such financing, their advantages and disadvantages. The article also reviews recent attempts to change the funding model of political parties in the Republic of Lithuania and the reasons for such attempts, and presents arguments that justify the possible influence of such inspirations on political processes in the country.
Euroscepticism (anti-EUism) had become a subject of analysis in contemporary European studies due to its effect on governments, parties and nations. With Greece being one of the nations in the center of attention on effects of Euroscepticism, it's imperative to constantly analyze and research the eurosceptic elements residing within the political elements of this nation. Analyzing eurosceptic elements within Greek political parties, the goal is to: detect, analyze and evaluate the expressions of Euroscepticism in political parties of Greece. To achieve this: 1). Conceptualization of Euroscepticism is described; 2). Methods of its detection and measurement are described; 3). Methods of Euroscepticism analysis are applied to political parties of Greece in order to conclude what type and expressions of eurosceptic behavior are present. To achieve the goal presented in this paper, political literature, on the subject of Euroscepticism: 1). Perception of European integration; 2) Measurement of Euroscepticism; 3). Source of eurosceptic behavior; 4). Application of Euroscepticism;- is presented in order to compile a method of analysis to be applied to current active Greek political parties in a duration of 2014-2015 period. The presented literature details analysis of party perception of European integration, party attitude towards EU and its institutions, levels of Euroscepticism within a political party, party application of Euroscepticism. At the end of this paper, based on conducted analysis, it was concluded that: 1). European integration is viewed differently between Greek political parties. Soft Eurosceptic parties agree with the principal of European integration, but later differ on how they view current and future integration. Hard Eurosceptic parties tend to disapprove of European integration ideals or to view them through a prism of party ideology; 2) Based on how a party views European integration in past, present and future sense, it determines what level of Euroscepticism it expresses and what level of eurosceptic attitude is present within a party when dealing with European issues; 3). Dependent from which source of Euroscepticism (strategic or ideological) party expresses anti-EU behavior, it affects party application of Euroscepticism towards EU; 4). Even parties that are considered to be pro-EU reside small levels of eurosceptic behavior within themselves, which is caused by party ideology coming into conflict with elements of European integration such as power balance of member states or levels of democracy in the union; 5). Soft Euroscepticism dominates Greek political parties. Hard Euroscepticism is present only in strongly ideological (radical) political parties. Greek party polity combines within itself various types and variations of Euroscepticism, each different from each other and yet at the same time having similar roots. This shows that Euroscepticism is not a single entity, having only one form or expression, each unique in how it is applied and assimilated. Euroscepticism (anti-EUism) had become a subject of analysis in contemporary European studies due to its effect on governments, parties and nations. With Greece being one of the nations in the center of attention on effects of Euroscepticism, it's imperative to constantly analyze and research the eurosceptic elements residing within the political elements of this nation. Analyzing eurosceptic elements within Greek political parties, the goal is to: detect, analyze and evaluate the expressions of Euroscepticism in political parties of Greece. To achieve this: 1). Conceptualization of Euroscepticism is described; 2). Methods of its detection and measurement are described; 3). Methods of Euroscepticism analysis are applied to political parties of Greece in order to conclude what type and expressions of eurosceptic behavior are present. To achieve the goal presented in this paper, political literature, on the subject of Euroscepticism: 1). Perception of European integration; 2) Measurement of Euroscepticism; 3). Source of eurosceptic behavior; 4). Application of Euroscepticism;- is presented in order to compile a method of analysis to be applied to current active Greek political parties in a duration of 2014-2015 period. The presented literature details analysis of party perception of European integration, party attitude towards EU and its institutions, levels of Euroscepticism within a political party, party application of Euroscepticism.
Euroscepticism (anti-EUism) had become a subject of analysis in contemporary European studies due to its effect on governments, parties and nations. With Greece being one of the nations in the center of attention on effects of Euroscepticism, it's imperative to constantly analyze and research the eurosceptic elements residing within the political elements of this nation. Analyzing eurosceptic elements within Greek political parties, the goal is to: detect, analyze and evaluate the expressions of Euroscepticism in political parties of Greece. To achieve this: 1). Conceptualization of Euroscepticism is described; 2). Methods of its detection and measurement are described; 3). Methods of Euroscepticism analysis are applied to political parties of Greece in order to conclude what type and expressions of eurosceptic behavior are present. To achieve the goal presented in this paper, political literature, on the subject of Euroscepticism: 1). Perception of European integration; 2) Measurement of Euroscepticism; 3). Source of eurosceptic behavior; 4). Application of Euroscepticism;- is presented in order to compile a method of analysis to be applied to current active Greek political parties in a duration of 2014-2015 period. The presented literature details analysis of party perception of European integration, party attitude towards EU and its institutions, levels of Euroscepticism within a political party, party application of Euroscepticism. At the end of this paper, based on conducted analysis, it was concluded that: 1). European integration is viewed differently between Greek political parties. Soft Eurosceptic parties agree with the principal of European integration, but later differ on how they view current and future integration. Hard Eurosceptic parties tend to disapprove of European integration ideals or to view them through a prism of party ideology; 2) Based on how a party views European integration in past, present and future sense, it determines what level of Euroscepticism it expresses and what level of eurosceptic attitude is present within a party when dealing with European issues; 3). Dependent from which source of Euroscepticism (strategic or ideological) party expresses anti-EU behavior, it affects party application of Euroscepticism towards EU; 4). Even parties that are considered to be pro-EU reside small levels of eurosceptic behavior within themselves, which is caused by party ideology coming into conflict with elements of European integration such as power balance of member states or levels of democracy in the union; 5). Soft Euroscepticism dominates Greek political parties. Hard Euroscepticism is present only in strongly ideological (radical) political parties. Greek party polity combines within itself various types and variations of Euroscepticism, each different from each other and yet at the same time having similar roots. This shows that Euroscepticism is not a single entity, having only one form or expression, each unique in how it is applied and assimilated. Euroscepticism (anti-EUism) had become a subject of analysis in contemporary European studies due to its effect on governments, parties and nations. With Greece being one of the nations in the center of attention on effects of Euroscepticism, it's imperative to constantly analyze and research the eurosceptic elements residing within the political elements of this nation. Analyzing eurosceptic elements within Greek political parties, the goal is to: detect, analyze and evaluate the expressions of Euroscepticism in political parties of Greece. To achieve this: 1). Conceptualization of Euroscepticism is described; 2). Methods of its detection and measurement are described; 3). Methods of Euroscepticism analysis are applied to political parties of Greece in order to conclude what type and expressions of eurosceptic behavior are present. To achieve the goal presented in this paper, political literature, on the subject of Euroscepticism: 1). Perception of European integration; 2) Measurement of Euroscepticism; 3). Source of eurosceptic behavior; 4). Application of Euroscepticism;- is presented in order to compile a method of analysis to be applied to current active Greek political parties in a duration of 2014-2015 period. The presented literature details analysis of party perception of European integration, party attitude towards EU and its institutions, levels of Euroscepticism within a political party, party application of Euroscepticism.
Euroscepticism (anti-EUism) had become a subject of analysis in contemporary European studies due to its effect on governments, parties and nations. With Greece being one of the nations in the center of attention on effects of Euroscepticism, it's imperative to constantly analyze and research the eurosceptic elements residing within the political elements of this nation. Analyzing eurosceptic elements within Greek political parties, the goal is to: detect, analyze and evaluate the expressions of Euroscepticism in political parties of Greece. To achieve this: 1). Conceptualization of Euroscepticism is described; 2). Methods of its detection and measurement are described; 3). Methods of Euroscepticism analysis are applied to political parties of Greece in order to conclude what type and expressions of eurosceptic behavior are present. To achieve the goal presented in this paper, political literature, on the subject of Euroscepticism: 1). Perception of European integration; 2) Measurement of Euroscepticism; 3). Source of eurosceptic behavior; 4). Application of Euroscepticism;- is presented in order to compile a method of analysis to be applied to current active Greek political parties in a duration of 2014-2015 period. The presented literature details analysis of party perception of European integration, party attitude towards EU and its institutions, levels of Euroscepticism within a political party, party application of Euroscepticism. At the end of this paper, based on conducted analysis, it was concluded that: 1). European integration is viewed differently between Greek political parties. Soft Eurosceptic parties agree with the principal of European integration, but later differ on how they view current and future integration. Hard Eurosceptic parties tend to disapprove of European integration ideals or to view them through a prism of party ideology; 2) Based on how a party views European integration in past, present and future sense, it determines what level of Euroscepticism it expresses and what level of eurosceptic attitude is present within a party when dealing with European issues; 3). Dependent from which source of Euroscepticism (strategic or ideological) party expresses anti-EU behavior, it affects party application of Euroscepticism towards EU; 4). Even parties that are considered to be pro-EU reside small levels of eurosceptic behavior within themselves, which is caused by party ideology coming into conflict with elements of European integration such as power balance of member states or levels of democracy in the union; 5). Soft Euroscepticism dominates Greek political parties. Hard Euroscepticism is present only in strongly ideological (radical) political parties. Greek party polity combines within itself various types and variations of Euroscepticism, each different from each other and yet at the same time having similar roots. This shows that Euroscepticism is not a single entity, having only one form or expression, each unique in how it is applied and assimilated. Euroscepticism (anti-EUism) had become a subject of analysis in contemporary European studies due to its effect on governments, parties and nations. With Greece being one of the nations in the center of attention on effects of Euroscepticism, it's imperative to constantly analyze and research the eurosceptic elements residing within the political elements of this nation. Analyzing eurosceptic elements within Greek political parties, the goal is to: detect, analyze and evaluate the expressions of Euroscepticism in political parties of Greece. To achieve this: 1). Conceptualization of Euroscepticism is described; 2). Methods of its detection and measurement are described; 3). Methods of Euroscepticism analysis are applied to political parties of Greece in order to conclude what type and expressions of eurosceptic behavior are present. To achieve the goal presented in this paper, political literature, on the subject of Euroscepticism: 1). Perception of European integration; 2) Measurement of Euroscepticism; 3). Source of eurosceptic behavior; 4). Application of Euroscepticism;- is presented in order to compile a method of analysis to be applied to current active Greek political parties in a duration of 2014-2015 period. The presented literature details analysis of party perception of European integration, party attitude towards EU and its institutions, levels of Euroscepticism within a political party, party application of Euroscepticism.
This master's paper uses controversial issue of party financing as an example to explore the effectiveness of a particular regulation. The aim of the paper is to give an objective overview of the issue of political party financing in Lithuania that may be worth while elaborating and before adopting new regulations in this sphere. Author discusses the situation in Lithuania and other countries thus giving the analysis and recommendations for particular circumstances of party finance in country. In this master's paper main further-used concepts are analysed, looking for answers to questions like: how to ensure the transparency of the funding of political parties? What are the preconditions for regulation to be effective? How far should public funding be used to support political parties? As legislation on financing of political parties is studied, the master's paper searches for main ideas about political parties and the notion what is the aim of financing regulation. Consequently, the answer allows formulating the aim and objectives of party finance regulations introduced in Lithuania, and seeing the main problems obstructing the reaching of the aim. The present problems in Lithuania include, first, lack of control and transparency, second, unfairness in political struggle, and financial barriers to enter it, third, threat of corruption and illegal influences of sponsors, fourth, violation of limitations and restrictions, and finally, fall-off in public trust of political parties. The main part of the paper is devoted to the analysis of concrete regulations – which of proposed or recommended means can be the most effective to reach the stated aim and overcome the problems. Explored are the regulations on disclosure, control and sanctions, income, expenditure regulations, and regulations on public funding.
This master's paper uses controversial issue of party financing as an example to explore the effectiveness of a particular regulation. The aim of the paper is to give an objective overview of the issue of political party financing in Lithuania that may be worth while elaborating and before adopting new regulations in this sphere. Author discusses the situation in Lithuania and other countries thus giving the analysis and recommendations for particular circumstances of party finance in country. In this master's paper main further-used concepts are analysed, looking for answers to questions like: how to ensure the transparency of the funding of political parties? What are the preconditions for regulation to be effective? How far should public funding be used to support political parties? As legislation on financing of political parties is studied, the master's paper searches for main ideas about political parties and the notion what is the aim of financing regulation. Consequently, the answer allows formulating the aim and objectives of party finance regulations introduced in Lithuania, and seeing the main problems obstructing the reaching of the aim. The present problems in Lithuania include, first, lack of control and transparency, second, unfairness in political struggle, and financial barriers to enter it, third, threat of corruption and illegal influences of sponsors, fourth, violation of limitations and restrictions, and finally, fall-off in public trust of political parties. The main part of the paper is devoted to the analysis of concrete regulations – which of proposed or recommended means can be the most effective to reach the stated aim and overcome the problems. Explored are the regulations on disclosure, control and sanctions, income, expenditure regulations, and regulations on public funding.
This master's paper uses controversial issue of party financing as an example to explore the effectiveness of a particular regulation. The aim of the paper is to give an objective overview of the issue of political party financing in Lithuania that may be worth while elaborating and before adopting new regulations in this sphere. Author discusses the situation in Lithuania and other countries thus giving the analysis and recommendations for particular circumstances of party finance in country. In this master's paper main further-used concepts are analysed, looking for answers to questions like: how to ensure the transparency of the funding of political parties? What are the preconditions for regulation to be effective? How far should public funding be used to support political parties? As legislation on financing of political parties is studied, the master's paper searches for main ideas about political parties and the notion what is the aim of financing regulation. Consequently, the answer allows formulating the aim and objectives of party finance regulations introduced in Lithuania, and seeing the main problems obstructing the reaching of the aim. The present problems in Lithuania include, first, lack of control and transparency, second, unfairness in political struggle, and financial barriers to enter it, third, threat of corruption and illegal influences of sponsors, fourth, violation of limitations and restrictions, and finally, fall-off in public trust of political parties. The main part of the paper is devoted to the analysis of concrete regulations – which of proposed or recommended means can be the most effective to reach the stated aim and overcome the problems. Explored are the regulations on disclosure, control and sanctions, income, expenditure regulations, and regulations on public funding.
This master's paper uses controversial issue of party financing as an example to explore the effectiveness of a particular regulation. The aim of the paper is to give an objective overview of the issue of political party financing in Lithuania that may be worth while elaborating and before adopting new regulations in this sphere. Author discusses the situation in Lithuania and other countries thus giving the analysis and recommendations for particular circumstances of party finance in country. In this master's paper main further-used concepts are analysed, looking for answers to questions like: how to ensure the transparency of the funding of political parties? What are the preconditions for regulation to be effective? How far should public funding be used to support political parties? As legislation on financing of political parties is studied, the master's paper searches for main ideas about political parties and the notion what is the aim of financing regulation. Consequently, the answer allows formulating the aim and objectives of party finance regulations introduced in Lithuania, and seeing the main problems obstructing the reaching of the aim. The present problems in Lithuania include, first, lack of control and transparency, second, unfairness in political struggle, and financial barriers to enter it, third, threat of corruption and illegal influences of sponsors, fourth, violation of limitations and restrictions, and finally, fall-off in public trust of political parties. The main part of the paper is devoted to the analysis of concrete regulations – which of proposed or recommended means can be the most effective to reach the stated aim and overcome the problems. Explored are the regulations on disclosure, control and sanctions, income, expenditure regulations, and regulations on public funding.
The title of this research paper is "The Europeanization Model of Political Parties: Europeanization Level Study of Relevant Lithuanian Political Parties." The object of research is the europeanization of political parties. The review of the literature gives the impression that the theory of europeanization of political parties is not fully defined and precisely formulated, because there are many variations of the theory. The aim of the research is to supplement the theory of europeanization of political parties by presenting a two level research model of the level of europeanization of political parties. The theory is reconstructed. The main focus of the work is on testing the theoretical model. In this work, 3 main tasks are identified. First of all, to identify the shortcomings of the theories of europeanization of political parties. Second, to develop a hypothetical model to identify the level of europeanization level. It could be a minimum, medium, high positive or negative europeanization. Third, to test the formed hypothetical research model of europeanization of political parties by analyzing the Lithuanian parties, which was selected according to the established criteria of the relevant parties. To diagnose the level of europeanization of the selected political parties. A chosen europeanization level model consists of the following parts. First of all, it is necessary to evaluate how the party speaks about the powers and ways of functioning of the European Union's (EU) institutions. This category is called the EU institutions. Second, The information about parties opinion about the EU policy of exclusive, shared, supporting, special competences must be evaluated. Perhaps the party is referring to policy which are not currently exclusively regulated in the EU. Perhaps the party is proposing to transfer specific areas of national policy over to the state for an EU decision, and perhaps vice versa. Third, It is necessary to assess the context in which the party refers to various sociological data and other statistics of the EU Member States. Fourth, it is important to understand the relationship that a national party has with a transnational European party. The international party communication can lead to changes in national policies. This study illustrates the effectiveness of the model. The study presents the current actual level of europeanization of 7 Lithuanian political parties, but does not examine the historical change in the level of europeanization. For further research, studies on changes in the level of Europeanisation could be recommended, e.g. comparing the attitudes of political parties before and after Lithuania's accession to the EU. In this way, the historical change in the Europeanisation of political parties could be traced.
The title of this research paper is "The Europeanization Model of Political Parties: Europeanization Level Study of Relevant Lithuanian Political Parties." The object of research is the europeanization of political parties. The review of the literature gives the impression that the theory of europeanization of political parties is not fully defined and precisely formulated, because there are many variations of the theory. The aim of the research is to supplement the theory of europeanization of political parties by presenting a two level research model of the level of europeanization of political parties. The theory is reconstructed. The main focus of the work is on testing the theoretical model. In this work, 3 main tasks are identified. First of all, to identify the shortcomings of the theories of europeanization of political parties. Second, to develop a hypothetical model to identify the level of europeanization level. It could be a minimum, medium, high positive or negative europeanization. Third, to test the formed hypothetical research model of europeanization of political parties by analyzing the Lithuanian parties, which was selected according to the established criteria of the relevant parties. To diagnose the level of europeanization of the selected political parties. A chosen europeanization level model consists of the following parts. First of all, it is necessary to evaluate how the party speaks about the powers and ways of functioning of the European Union's (EU) institutions. This category is called the EU institutions. Second, The information about parties opinion about the EU policy of exclusive, shared, supporting, special competences must be evaluated. Perhaps the party is referring to policy which are not currently exclusively regulated in the EU. Perhaps the party is proposing to transfer specific areas of national policy over to the state for an EU decision, and perhaps vice versa. Third, It is necessary to assess the context in which the party refers to various sociological data and other statistics of the EU Member States. Fourth, it is important to understand the relationship that a national party has with a transnational European party. The international party communication can lead to changes in national policies. This study illustrates the effectiveness of the model. The study presents the current actual level of europeanization of 7 Lithuanian political parties, but does not examine the historical change in the level of europeanization. For further research, studies on changes in the level of Europeanisation could be recommended, e.g. comparing the attitudes of political parties before and after Lithuania's accession to the EU. In this way, the historical change in the Europeanisation of political parties could be traced.
The title of this research paper is "The Europeanization Model of Political Parties: Europeanization Level Study of Relevant Lithuanian Political Parties." The object of research is the europeanization of political parties. The review of the literature gives the impression that the theory of europeanization of political parties is not fully defined and precisely formulated, because there are many variations of the theory. The aim of the research is to supplement the theory of europeanization of political parties by presenting a two level research model of the level of europeanization of political parties. The theory is reconstructed. The main focus of the work is on testing the theoretical model. In this work, 3 main tasks are identified. First of all, to identify the shortcomings of the theories of europeanization of political parties. Second, to develop a hypothetical model to identify the level of europeanization level. It could be a minimum, medium, high positive or negative europeanization. Third, to test the formed hypothetical research model of europeanization of political parties by analyzing the Lithuanian parties, which was selected according to the established criteria of the relevant parties. To diagnose the level of europeanization of the selected political parties. A chosen europeanization level model consists of the following parts. First of all, it is necessary to evaluate how the party speaks about the powers and ways of functioning of the European Union's (EU) institutions. This category is called the EU institutions. Second, The information about parties opinion about the EU policy of exclusive, shared, supporting, special competences must be evaluated. Perhaps the party is referring to policy which are not currently exclusively regulated in the EU. Perhaps the party is proposing to transfer specific areas of national policy over to the state for an EU decision, and perhaps vice versa. Third, It is necessary to assess the context in which the party refers to various sociological data and other statistics of the EU Member States. Fourth, it is important to understand the relationship that a national party has with a transnational European party. The international party communication can lead to changes in national policies. This study illustrates the effectiveness of the model. The study presents the current actual level of europeanization of 7 Lithuanian political parties, but does not examine the historical change in the level of europeanization. For further research, studies on changes in the level of Europeanisation could be recommended, e.g. comparing the attitudes of political parties before and after Lithuania's accession to the EU. In this way, the historical change in the Europeanisation of political parties could be traced.
The title of this research paper is "The Europeanization Model of Political Parties: Europeanization Level Study of Relevant Lithuanian Political Parties." The object of research is the europeanization of political parties. The review of the literature gives the impression that the theory of europeanization of political parties is not fully defined and precisely formulated, because there are many variations of the theory. The aim of the research is to supplement the theory of europeanization of political parties by presenting a two level research model of the level of europeanization of political parties. The theory is reconstructed. The main focus of the work is on testing the theoretical model. In this work, 3 main tasks are identified. First of all, to identify the shortcomings of the theories of europeanization of political parties. Second, to develop a hypothetical model to identify the level of europeanization level. It could be a minimum, medium, high positive or negative europeanization. Third, to test the formed hypothetical research model of europeanization of political parties by analyzing the Lithuanian parties, which was selected according to the established criteria of the relevant parties. To diagnose the level of europeanization of the selected political parties. A chosen europeanization level model consists of the following parts. First of all, it is necessary to evaluate how the party speaks about the powers and ways of functioning of the European Union's (EU) institutions. This category is called the EU institutions. Second, The information about parties opinion about the EU policy of exclusive, shared, supporting, special competences must be evaluated. Perhaps the party is referring to policy which are not currently exclusively regulated in the EU. Perhaps the party is proposing to transfer specific areas of national policy over to the state for an EU decision, and perhaps vice versa. Third, It is necessary to assess the context in which the party refers to various sociological data and other statistics of the EU Member States. Fourth, it is important to understand the relationship that a national party has with a transnational European party. The international party communication can lead to changes in national policies. This study illustrates the effectiveness of the model. The study presents the current actual level of europeanization of 7 Lithuanian political parties, but does not examine the historical change in the level of europeanization. For further research, studies on changes in the level of Europeanisation could be recommended, e.g. comparing the attitudes of political parties before and after Lithuania's accession to the EU. In this way, the historical change in the Europeanisation of political parties could be traced.
The paper introduced here focuses on the particularities of Lithuanian political parties' discourse on European integration. The questions which this paper seeks to answer are: how much 'Europe' actually figures into parties' national election manifestos and what parties says about the nature of the European polity and the policy objectives to be implemented by the EU? The results of the analysis show that, although in principle there is a support to the European integration, political parties follow the logic of instrumental rationality containing strategic actions and specific domestic interest implementation in the united Europe. These contradictions may lead to the inconsistencies of party politics toward European integration.
The paper introduced here focuses on the particularities of Lithuanian political parties' discourse on European integration. The questions which this paper seeks to answer are: how much 'Europe' actually figures into parties' national election manifestos and what parties says about the nature of the European polity and the policy objectives to be implemented by the EU? The results of the analysis show that, although in principle there is a support to the European integration, political parties follow the logic of instrumental rationality containing strategic actions and specific domestic interest implementation in the united Europe. These contradictions may lead to the inconsistencies of party politics toward European integration.