Suchergebnisse

In the context of understanding elite dynamics in Serbia, elite theories are overviewed & a definition of elites proffered before discussing how class & elite theoretical perspectives are applied to the study of state socialist collapse & consequent social change. Arguing that it is not useful to speak of elite circulation & reproduction, a distinction is drawn between the failure of the nomenklatura as the former ruling class & a new class structuration wherein elites play a formative role. Favored is the idea of the "adaptive reconstruction of elites." How members of the socialist ruling class used a "blocked transformation" in the former Yugoslavia to convert their monopolistic positions into focused forms of economic & political capital more suitable to postsocialist conditions is demonstrated. The dynamics of personnel reconstruction are addressed, along with the reconstruction of material positions of social strata. Attention turns to how shifts in elite reproduction processes have gone together with an ideological shift. It is concluded that this process of elite reconstruction underpins a new social order whereby old socialist cadres & outsiders will form the heart of a new ruling class. 5 Tables, 19 References. J. Zendejas

Examines the challenges posed to European welfare states by the globalization of the world's economy, questioning whether there exists an alternative to the US trend -- toward labor market flexibility & low social protection -- & the mainland European model of social partnership & the welfare state. After clarifying the meaning of the terms welfare state, globalization, & competitiveness, crossnational empirical data are presented to examine the relationship between the size of the welfare state & unemployment rates in 20 Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) countries. The findings strong positive effects of a nation's level of "benefit generosity" on long-term averages of national unemployment rates (eg, in studies like that of R. Layard, S. Nickell, & R. Jackman [1991]) are interpreted cautiously; numerous theoretical & methodological problems with such analyses are discussed. Economic theory on the welfare state is reviewed to explore the impacts of eliminating unemployment insurance & lower mobility costs on competitiveness (jobs) within the context of globalization. It is concluded that the evidence that welfare states cannot compete in the globalizing economy is not convincing. 2 Figures, 23 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

Analyzes the relative positions of managers & bankers in the postsocialist Hungarian economic elite in light of competing theses about managerial rule & bank hegemony in capitalist economies. Privileged & dominant positions in the economic elite are distinguished, drawing on 1990 & 1993 survey data. Socioeconomic indicators are elucidated, along with the career trajectories of economic elite from pre- to posttransition. Banker & manager career patterns differed markedly in terms of workplace career & multiple position holding, as well as Hungarian Workers Party (HSWP) membership under state socialism. While managers rose to subelite positions quicker than bankers, the latter ascended more quickly from subelite to elite positions. Manager career-related contacts were mostly in professional organizations & in the HSWP, whereas bankers were more frequently connected to external board & advisory positions. Banker & manager opinions on the control & speed of privatization are compared, finding that a key factor behind attitudinal differences was one's position in the elite. It is concluded that there is not much support for the idea that large enterprise managers played a decisive role in postsocialist conditions, but not all evidence points to the hegemonic positioning of bankers; segments of the economic elite are still competing for primacy. 3 Tables, 25 References. J. Zendejas

Russia's recent transition from empire to nation-state has wrought major changes in national identity, examined here from the perspectives of history, sociology, political science, & cultural studies. Contributions reflect three main themes: (1) the history of Russian identity formation & ideology, (2) nationality policy & politics, & (3) the dichotomous nature of national identity in modern Russia. J. R. Callahan

This overview of digital democracy's possibilities & applications includes specific statements & data regarding various programs' promotion of public access to political information & communication. Beliefs about the benefits & pitfalls of information & communication technologies (ICTs), as well as conflicting views of voters with online access, or "netizens," are reviewed. Documentation of politically oriented digital systems prefaces a case study of the impact of the Democracy Network (DNet) on the 1998 CA primary election. There is description of DNet's goals & methodology. Its presentation of issues is compared with the approaches or advantages attending candidates' Web sites & TV advertising. Tables offer detailed figures comparing issues discussed on DNet & party Web sites. Preprimary visits, pages, & hits on the DNet site are enumerated. There is an appendix of 1998 CA gubernatorial candidates & issues. 2 Tables, 49 References. M. C. Leary

The origins of the notion of social citizenship in the post-WWII era are traced, & the possibility for the realization of its ideals in the world of the 21st century is explored. Factors that distinguish contemporary welfare states from their liberal roots are identified, & ideological attacks on social citizenship are reviewed, highlighting the neoconservative positions of US President Ronald Reagan & GB Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during the 1980s. It is concluded that there can be no return to the social sense of citizenship that came about in the 4 decades following WWII; nonetheless, there are ways to reverse the consequences of neoconservatism. Six key steps are outlined (1) politicians must provide ideological leadership, (2) citizens' rights must be related to responsibilities, (3) the increasing inequality in tax burdens must be reversed, (4) all citizens must continue to pay "high taxes" to ensure social rights & social peace, (5) more informed public debate is needed on the economic costs & benefits of the welfare state, & (6) the negative effects of globalization on citizenship must be addressed. K. Hyatt Stewart

The notion of governing in contemporary liberal democratic societies that has evolved since the mid-19th century is examined in terms of "systemized ways of thinking & acting about & acting upon the conduct of persons, capacities of populations, & the disposition of things in order to achieve certain objectives." Focus is on the dimensions of intelligibility, the constitutions of governable spaces & subjects, interventions, & power. "Advanced" liberal ways of governing, particularly those that emerged in the last quarter of the 20th century, are described, highlighting a retreat from the notion of the "social" state & new focus on the market. The development of an alternative type of governing that operates neither through the state nor the market -- characterized by GB Prime Minister Tony Blair as a "third way" -- is also outlined & its implications for the nature of power relations between individuals, communities, & government are considered. 91 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

After delineating differences between individual (social) & collective identities, ways that the two intersect in social movement participation via the process of group identification are examined, focusing on political protest movements. Conceptual discussion is borne out by empirical data collected over three interviews, 1993-1995, with 168 Dutch farmers who organized in protest against national & European Union agricultural policy. Some cognitive, behavioral, & sociodemographic determinants of group identification are identified & the relationship between group identification & preparation for/participation in protest activities is described. 5 Tables, 35 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

Several contemporary perspectives on development in East Asia are reviewed, including the neoclassical, cultural, statist, & dependency perspectives. An argument is made for the superiority of a world-systems perspective for such analyses, demonstrating how it can (1) expand disciplinary boundaries, (2) trace development over a longer historical period, & (3) employ a larger unit of analysis to examine socialist-capitalist state relations & regional dynamics. Interstate dynamics involved in East Asian development are examined, emphasizing geopolitical factors. 38 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

Examines the role of the media in the global era of international politics & its impact on international relations from two directions: (1) the limitations of current international understanding of the mass media & (2) empirical research findings on the role of the media from two events in 1991 -- the Gulf War & the Kurdish refugee crises. This approach is then applied to the 1999 conflict in Kosovo to point out issues of war & peace in the new circumstances of state relations. Five main issues are considered to overcome the limitations of the literature on the media in the Gulf War: (1) Domestic & interstate politics within global politics are increasing connections; (2) Global politics are mediated in a somewhat common framework; (3) Global media spaces are contested by many social actors & by journalists of differing ideologies; (4) Media is a location of civil society on both national & global levels; & (5) The dynamics of film, commentary & text generate political impact. Media coverage was instrumental in gaining Western intervention in the Kurdish revolt after the Gulf War & in speeding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization liberation of Kosovar refugees. L. A. Hoffman

Examines the dynamics of elite division & emergent elite convergence in Slovakia, with the former explored following the 1989 democratic transition & elite unity & differentiation addressed during the third (1994-1998) Meciar government. Analysis of the 1998 election & May 1999 presidential election sheds light on future developments regarding Slovak elites & democracy. It is concluded that a gradual, yet frail convergence toward elite unity was occurring. The risks concomitant with the pre- & posttransition elite fragmentation were lessening; thus, the Slovak regime was coalescing toward a more stable democracy. 42 References. J. Zendejas

In arguing that globalization has uncovered the truth about people & their environment, this chapter analyzes the explanatory features of the "Foucauldian notion of power" & its contribution to the globalization of the economy. It is argued that neoliberalism presents a universalized discourse based on the ideology that (contrary to liberal beliefs) a wealthy society will benefit all. Thus, globalization affects each individual by influencing the manner in which all people view & identify themselves. In addition, neoliberal discourse views globalization as uniquely tied to capitalism when states become commodified & a "market discipline" or "governmentality" emerges. Governmentality affects the global market & the individual, producing not only the individualization supported by Smithian theories, but also the normalization of consumer culture. In short, it is obvious that the individual as consumer, worker, & saver is an essential component of global capitalism. K. A. Larsen

Debate over political power was growing at the beginning of the 21st century. This volume organizes the debates into three categories, each focusing on controversial issues of contemporary power. The introduction focuses on the relationship between the study of politics & power itself & examines the effect that power has on individuals, society as a whole, stability, & political justice. It then presents the idea that neoliberalism, a dominant ideology of the late 20th century, will continue to transform as power at the local, national, & international levels evolves. The introduction concludes with the idea that although political systems throughout the world are currently experiencing a revolutionary change, the concept of power -- & the all-important ability to exercise that power -- will continue to play an important role in global politics. K. A. Larsen

Sino-Japanese economic relations after WWII were continuous, leading to the 1978 Treaty of Peace & Friendship. At that time, Japan was viewed as the People's Republic of China's main trading partner. While China has since diversified its partners, it still emulates the Japanese model in the areas of business-government relations, macroeconomic controls, industrial policy, & microeconomic reform. China has encouraged Japanese investment, exemplified by its investment in the oil & transportation infrastructures & in automobile & TV manufacturing. Japanese technology transfer & managerial expertise, along with investment & Chinese market openness, are contributing to China's economic development & competitive success, & changing the patterns of Sino-Japanese relations. Trade among Greater China's subregions of Hong Kong, Taiwan, & the mainland & Japan are discussed. M. Pflum

The author describes major ultra-nationalist movements (fascism & national socialism) in contemporary Russia. These movements have arisen largely in response to the perceived failure of neoliberalist reforms since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia is a "torn country" that is undergoing political & economic Westernization -- an irreversible process that has brought severe economic problems & a declining standard of living for the majority. The new regime is described as a mixture of liberal democracy, authoritarianism, & capitalism. The author concludes that the shift from Russian communism to national patriotism is a key feature of modernization in post-Soviet Russia, & that the nation's current problems are similar to those caused by globalization & Westernization elsewhere. 1 Table, 34 References. J. R. Callahan