Suchergebnisse

The new form of international terrorism shows complex relations to the capitalist globalisation process. It is argued that the present international system - despite of the absolute economic and military dominance of the 'strong states' under US-leadership - is marked by a fundamental lack of political hegemony. The crisis of politics resulting from this 'non hegemonial' situation is based in a fundamental contradiction of the neoliberal globalisation project. The reactions of the dominant states to the terrorist attacks are suited to deepen and to intensify this political crisis. (Prokla / FUB)

The East European states have had to confront five challenges in establishing democratic control over their armies: they have had to overcome structures inherited from the socialist era, prevent independent action by the army, ensure that the army could not be misused, build up democratic norms & decision-making processes, & gain civilian expertise. For a long time, democratic control over the armed forces did not advance beyond the level of formal institution building. It became clear that the main problem was not the need to prevent military intervention in politics, but rather, to construct effective mechanisms guaranteeing civilian input, control, & feedback. Adapted from the source document.

The commissions on the surveillance and registration of Swedish communists by the military and police secret services have published their reports. Although clear-cut and realistic images of the communist enemy obviously have been lacking, there has been quite some activity by the security forces. Because of dubious suspicion, people engaging in leftwing political affairs – not necessarily sympathising with communism or the Sovjet Union – have been refused or lost their jobs. Both reports leave many questions open, and often they do not even ask the relevant ones. There is the need for another commission combining expertise on methods in historical research and leftwing politics in Sweden.

Hans-Henning Schröder ; Eberhard Schneider ; Zsfassung in engl. Sprache ; Volltext // Exemplar mit der Signatur: München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- 4 Z 68.247-1992,16/28

hrsg. von Ronald G. Asch . ; Volltext // Exemplar mit der Signatur: München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- PVA 2001.5218

Analyzes the roots of the present crisis in Somalia (famine & violence), focusing on the social, political, & historical background of the society. Sketched are three developmental aspects: the traditional clan organization, with its elements of primary lineage & interclan marriages; the period of colonial politics, which undermined the established & sophisticated nature of traditional conflict resolution among clans & subgroups; & the military dictatorship of Mohamed Siyad Barre, during which time the introduction of a centralized state apparatus further dismantled traditional social order. It is concluded that the reestablishment of humane conditions depends on the stabilization of political entities that represent the population & adequately protect their rights. 19 References. Adapted from the source document.

The Cold War (1947-1989/92) was not a war in the proper sense of the term, but it could have turned into a hot war at several instances. Whereas traditional wars were limited with respect to their aims & their military potentials, world politics experienced a dramatic totalization of both aims & the destructiveness of weapons within the deterrence constellation. The mutual threat of annihilation, however, paralyzed foreign policy with the consequence of self-deterrence. To escape the dilemma of self-deterrence, a continuous search for graduated & limited nuclear war scenarios & weapon potentials, respectively, could be observed throughout the Cold War period. The escape from self-deterrence equaled a process of pathological learning, which, due to its size & diversification, engendered a tremendous impetus of its own. This growth process became to a large extent autistic, & it came to an end by the exit of the Soviet Union from this constellation. To analyze the Cold War period & by implication the deterrence constellation, retrospectively, may convey some deeper insights into less conspicuous constellations of the security dilemma characterizing international politics. Adapted from the source document.