Central European Politics - JPM239

• Anglický název: Central European Politics
• Zajišťuje: Katedra politologie (23-KP)
• Fakulta: Fakulta sociálních věd
• Platnost: od 2014
• Semestr: letní
• E-Kredity: 6
• Způsob provedení zkoušky: letní s.:
• Rozsah, examinace: letní s.:1/1, Zk [HT]
• Počet míst: neurčen / neurčen (35)
• Minimální obsazenost: neomezen
• 4EU+: ne
• Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
• Stav předmětu: nevyučován
• Jazyk výuky: angličtina
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Poznámka: předmět je možno zapsat mimo plán; povolen pro zápis po webu; při zápisu přednost, je-li ve stud. plánu
• Garant: PhDr. Malvína Krausz Hladká, Ph.D.

Anotace

čeština

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (07.04.2008)

This course is designed to introduce you to the politics of Central Europe. It is a course in comparative politics so we will take a comparative political history perspective rather than a country-by-country approach or focus exclusively on analyzing the contemporary political institutions of the Central-East European countries. We will do so because the aim of this course is to expose you to some of the fundamental and lingering controversies that surround and permeate the politics of Eastern European countries. The comparative elements focus on two main themes. The first is uniformity versus diversity among the states we are studying. We look at what they shared in common during their experience of Soviet-style communism, and the extent to which they differed from each other, and identify the explanatory factors that account for the divergence. This analysis continues when we examine their transitions to democracy and paths to democratic consolidation. The second comparative theme questions the extent to which Europe?s post-communist democracies are exceptional, and how far they can be analysed using general tools developed for the study of states with different historical backgrounds. This relates both to general literature on transitions to democracy, and to the effects of institutional design on the functioning of democratic polities. In examining the constitutions, electoral rules and party systems of the new democracies in a framework familiar from the study of other EU member states, we attempt to identify specific factors that distinguish their experiences from those of their western neighbors.

Cíl předmětu

čeština

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (07.04.2008)

Magisterský kurz sa zameria na politický vývoj krajín Strednej a Východnej Európy za posledných 20 rokov a ich tranzicii k demokracii.

angličtina

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (07.04.2008)

This M. A. course will focus on political developments in Central Europe in the past twenty years, from dictatorship to multiparty democracy. Special attention is paid to the so-called Visegrad countries, i. e. Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia (formerly known as Czechoslovakia). Besides the discussion of individual cases, we will also focus on intra-regional (and, sometimes, inter-regional) comparisons.

Literatura

čeština

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (22.03.2011)

 

Students are asked to read the required material prior to the class for which it is assigned. Reading will serve as the basis for class discussions; it will be a part of the Final exam. At times assigned reading will be supplemented with additional materials. The instructor reserves the right to alter the reading in order to facilitate learning. In addition to that, all students are asked to follow the basic news from the Central European region (see daily/weekly newspapers and journals, web pages, radio stations, TV news). All students should be informed about major current political development in the ECE region/countries.

 

Core course reading

WOLCHIK, Sharon L. & CURRY, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. (Zbrojnice library)

SWAIN, Geoffrey & SWAIN, Nigel. (2003). Eastern Europe since 1945, 3^rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. (course copy, Zbrojnice library)

KÉGLER, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. (Zbrojnice library)

Recommended course reading

ŠARADÍN, Pavel & BRADOVÁ, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. (Zbrojnice library)

ASH, Timothy Garton (2002): The Polish Revolution: Solidarity. Yale University Press.

 

ASH, Timothy Garton (1989): The Uses of Adversity. Essays on the Fate of Central Europe. New York, Random House.

 

ASH, Timothy Garton (1993): The Magic Lantern. The Revolution of ´89 Witnessed in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin and Prague. New York, Vintage Books.

Recommended web pages

 

Students are strongly advised to use the internet for sources on (East) Central European countries. The following sources are especially useful for obtaining materials for seminar case studies and presentations.

 

Radio Free Europe - Radio Liberty: <http://www.rferl.org>

Transitions Online: <http://www.tol.cz/> (quality online publication covering Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union)

Central Europe Online (http://www.centraleurope.com/ceo.html)

The Economist: <http://www.economist.com>

Freedom House (http://freedomhouse.org)

Moscow Carnegie Center: <http://www.carnegie.ru/en/>

The New Presence: www.new-presence.cz

NATO’s site: <http://www.nato.int>

Gateway to the European Union: <http://europa.eu.int>

European Voice (http://www.europeanvoice.com)

The New Presence (libraries or http://www.new-presence.cz)

The Final World - http://www.fsfinalword.com/english/Czech_news.htm

The Prague Post (CR’s top quality English language daily newspaper)

The Prague Tribune (monthly publication focusing on lifestyle and business in the CR)

The Media Services for Central Europe: www.monitorce.com

Web pages of political parties, deputies, senators, presidents, parliaments, politicians, various NGOs, BBC, The Guardian, The Times, The International Herald Tribune, CNN, etc.

 

angličtina

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (07.04.2008)

General books

Grzegorz Ekiert (1996), The State Against Society: Political Crises and Their Aftermath in East Central Europe. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Paul G. Lewis (1994), Central Europe since 1945. London: Longman.

Gale Stokes ed. (1994), From Stalinism to Pluralism: A Documentary History of Eastern Europe since 1945. New York: Oxford University Press.

Joseph Held ed. (1992), The Columbia History of Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century. New York: Columbia University Press

Jacques Rupnik (1988), The Other Europe. London: Weidenfield & Nicholson.

Karen Dawisha & Bruce Parrott (1997), Democratization and Authoritarianism in Postcommunist Societies. 4 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

What is Eastern Europe? Keith Crawford, ?East Central Europe? in East Central European Politics Today, 1997: 1-28.

George Schöpflin (1993), Politics in Eastern Europe. Oxford: Blackwell. Chapter 3. ?Communists on the Road to Power? and Chapter 4. ?Stalinism? 57-103.

Andrew C. Janos (1996), ?What Was Communism: A Retrospective in Comparative Analysis? Communist and Post-Communist Studies, Vol. 29. No.1. 1-24.

Jon Elster, Claus Offe, Ulrich K. Preuss et al. (1998), ?Mapping Eastern Europe? in Institutional Design in Post-Communist Societies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 35-62.

Tony R. Judt (1992), ?Metamorphosis: The Democratic Revolution in Czechoslovakia? In Ivo Banac (ed.), Eastern Europe in Revolution. Ithaca - London: Cornell University Press, 96-116.

Juan J. Linz & Alfred Stepan (1996), Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation. Baltimore & London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 235-54.

Martin Bútora, Zora Bútorová & Tatiana Rosová (1991), ?The Hard Birth of Democracy in

Slovakia? Journal of Communist Studies, Vol. 7. No. 4. 435-59.

András Bozóki, András Körösényi & George Schöpflin eds. (1992), Post-Communist Transition:

Emerging Pluralism in Hungary. London: Pinter, New York: St. Martin?s Press.

Judy Batt (1991), East Central Europe from Reform to Transformation. London: RIIA.

T. Lynn Karl and Philippe C. Schmitter (1991), ?Modes of Transition in Latin America, Southern and Eastern Europe?, International Social Science Journal, Vol. 128. 269-84.

Tatu Vanhanen & Andrew Kimber, ?Predicting and explaining democratization in Eastern Europe?, in Geoffrey Pridham & Tatu Vanhanen (eds), Democratization in Eastern Europe.

Recommended Course Reading

Claus Offe (1997), Varieties of Transition. Cambridge: M. I. T. Press

Krzysztof Jasiewicz (2003), ?Elections and Voting Behaviour? in White, Batt & Lewis (eds.), Developments? op. cit. 173-89.

Jon Elster, Claus Offe, Ulrich K. Preuss et al. (1998), Institutional Design in Post-Communist

Societies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 63-108.

Robert Elgie & Jan Zielonka (2001), ?Constitutions and Constitution-Building: A Comparative Perspective?, in Jan Zielonka ed., Democratic Consolidation in Eastern Europe. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 25-47.

Recommended journals

Foreign Affairs, Economist, International Affairs, Geopolitics and many others in Jinonice´ library concerning Central European taks...

Recommended web pages

http://inic.utexas.edu/reenic/regions/ceneurope.html

http://www.cee-socialscience.net/

http://www.ce-review.org

http://www.seep.ceu.hu/volume11/

http://www.tol.cz/

http://www.economist.com/

Information sources

Prague Post (CR?s top quality English language daily newspaper)

Prague Tribune (monthly publication focusing on lifestyle and business in the CR)

Transitions Online (quality online publication covering Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union)

For current developments the World Wide Web is another interesting source. For instance:

Central Europe Online (http://www.centraleurope.com/ceo.html)

The Economist (libraries or www.economist.com)

The New Presence (libraries or http://www.new-presence.cz)

Freedom House (http://freedomhouse.org)

European Voice (http://www.europeanvoice.com)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (http://www.rferl.org)

Web pages of political parties, deputies, senators, presidents, parliaments, politicians, various NGOs, BBC, The Guardian, The Times, CCN, etc.

More sources (books, journals, databases) available at the Institute of the International Relations library (http://www.iir.cz), City Library in Prague (www.mlp.cz)

Metody výuky

čeština

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (20.02.2014)

Particularly given the intensive nature of the course schedule you are expected to keep up with the assigned readings and to be prepared to discuss them in a knowledgeable way. This means dedicating substantial time to careful reading and thoughtful reflection before coming to class. If you fail to keep up with the readings you will not be able to contribute to and learn from the class interactions. Be prepared to ask questions and participate. Open discussion provides you with an important opportunity to wrestle with, criticize and engage the ideas presented in this course.

As last requirement, there will be a final written test. The final exam accounts for 60% of the total grade. A one-hour-twenty-minute final exam will take place on ..TBD. Students will be asked to take a multiple-choice test. In addition to that, they will be asked to choose 2 topics out of 3 and write a short (cca 500 words) articles on the chosen topics. Both the article topics and the multiple choice test will be chosen from the lectures, required reading and presentations.

The final exam will be marked by grades:
Excellent (1)
Very good (2)
Good (3)

Požadavky ke zkoušce

čeština

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (20.02.2014)

Class attendance and participation (10%), Presentation (30%), Final test (60%)

Sylabus

čeština

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (23.02.2014)

CHARLES UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES

 

Course: Central European Politics (1/1; 6 credits)

Course Code: JPM239

Academic Year 2013/2014

Summer Semester

Course time:  block teaching:

2 WEDNESDAYS: April, 30. and May, 7 from 9:30 to 12:30 

2 FRIDAYS: May, 2. and May, 9 from 15:00 to 18:00

Seminar Room: TBD

Lecturer: PhDr. Malvína Krausz Hladká, Ph.D.

Office: J3099 Office hours: online only

E-mail: [e-mail]

Mailbox: IPS secretariat, building "A", Jinonice campus

Common e-mail address: (www.gmail.com)

 

Students are required to check the common e-mail address prior to each session; any possible changes (of time, topics, reading) would be announced there.

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION and GOALS

 

The main aim of this course is to familiarize students with political systems of central European states. It is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of central European politics, to highlight trends in development, and to help them anticipate some of the future problems of the region. The course will start with the question of whether we can speak about Central Europe as an entity, with a characterization of the region’s main cleavages, and will continue in blocks dealing with the process of democratization in Central Europe, political parties, party systems, parliamentary election systems, cabinet formation, and heads of states in Central Europe.

 

LECTURES and SEMINARS

 

Lectures and seminars: block teaching: 

2 WEDNESDAYS: April, 30. and May, 7 from 9:30 to 12:30 

2 FRIDAYS: May, 2. and May, 9 from 15:00 to 18:00. Seminar Room: TBD. A list of lecture topics is attached below. Seminars should focus in detail on issues arising from lectures. Seminars require preparation in advance. All students are expected to have completed allocated readings and/or assignments before the seminar.

 

Any changes (time, dates, topics, presentations, room) will be announced at the common course e-mail.  Students are required to check it prior to each session. Do not delete any e-mails from the course e-mail address!

 

Note: in case you wish to contact the lecturer, use her private e-mail address. There will no response in case you use the common e-mail address.

 

 

ASSESSMENT

 

Assessment will be based on one oral presentation and one written exam (60 minutes).

 

The final grade is a combination of the following items:

Presentation and Essay: 40%

Final exam: 60%

 

Participation in seminar discussions is required. Students are expected to attend 90 percent of seminars and lectures. Students are required to take the Final exam on the following date: ......................... For more information, see below.

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

Participation and preparation

 

All students, whether or not they are giving a presentation, are expected to prepare so that they can participate fully in the subsequent discussion of the topic. Participation in seminar discussions is required. Students are expected to attend 90 percent of seminars and lectures.

 

Presentation

 

The presentation and accompanying short essay account for 40 % of the total grade. The oral presentation should reflect an intellectual mastery of the topic, good structure, and good presentation. Each student (or: group of students) will give one formal presentation, which should last about 15 minutes.

 

Please, make sure that you come to the seminar the day when your presentation is due. Any presenter who cannot come the day of his/her presentation must inform the lecturer at least 48 hours in advance (see the lecturer’s private e-mail address above). You should provide the lecturer with a substantial reason (illness, etc.) for your absence. Please, note that you may be asked to present your work at another/following seminar. Any changes of this kind are to be discussed with the lecturer

 

F i n a l E x a m

 

Final exam accounts for 60% of the total grade.

Final exam questions/topics will be carefully chosen from all course lectures, seminar topics, required readings and presentations.

 

First term: ..........................

Students will be asked to take a multiple-choice test. In addition to that, they will be required to write short analyses on chosen topics.  All topics and the multiple choice questions will be carefully chosen from the lectures, required reading, presentations and seminar discussions. The examination will then be marked as following: Excellent, Very good, Good. 75% of correct answers are required in order to pass the test (the DPES policy).

 

Please, note:

 

In case you present the oral presentation and take the Final exam, your grade will be put into the SIS electronic system within next week. Please, CHECK THE E-SYSTEM FOR YOUR GRADE. Come to consult your work in case of any problems or possible failures. Consultation hours will be announced in the class and common e-mail address.

 

Second term: ......................

 

Third term: ........................... Students are asked not to postpone the exam to this very last term.

 

A BRIEF COURSE OVERVIEW

 

INTRODUCTORY SESSION:

 

An introductory session. Course overview.

 

FIRST LECTURE & SEMINAR BLOCK: 

 

Central vs. Eastern Europe. (What is Central Europe)

 

Seminar topics:

 

-          What is Central Europe?

-          Interventions in Central Europe. 1956 and 1968.

 

SECOND LECTURE & SEMINAR BLOCK: 

Theories of transitions. Transition period in Central Europe (in comparison with the development in Eastern Europe). 

 

 

THIRD LECTURE & SEMINAR BLOCK: 

 

Building of democratic constitutional systems in CE countries.

 

Central Europe in 1989.

 

 

FOURTH LECTURES & SEMINARS BLOCK: 

 

Key moments in political development 1989-2014.

 

FIFTH LECTURES & SEMINARS BLOCK:

 

Last parliamentary and presidential elections in CE countries. Elections results and the following political development of V4 countries and the CE region.

Foreign policies of the CE countries. Foreign policy priorities, security issues.

 

Elections and electoral systems. Party systems in the CE countries in comparative perspective.

 

FINAL EXAM:

 

 

Seminars

 

Seminars follow the lectures. Seminar topics are related to the reading. In order to facilitate learning, class readings may be altered prior to the next meeting. Additional readings will be distributed when appropriate. In addition to that, students are required to check the e-mail prior to each lecture/seminar. Do not delete any e-mails from the course e-mail address!

 

Students will choose their seminar presentation topics on ......................

 

COURSE READING

 

Students are asked to read the required material prior to the class for which it is assigned. Reading will serve as the basis for class discussions; it will be a part of the Final exam. At times assigned reading will be supplemented with additional materials. The instructor reserves the right to alter the reading in order to facilitate learning. In addition to that, all students are asked to follow the basic news from the Central European region (see daily/weekly newspapers and journals, web pages, radio stations, TV news). All students should be informed about major current political development in the ECE region/countries.

 

Core course reading

 

WOLCHIK, Sharon L. & CURRY, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.

 

SWAIN, Geoffrey & SWAIN, Nigel. (2003). Eastern Europe since 1945, 3^rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

 

KÉGLER, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization.

 

Recommended course reading

 

ŠARADÍN, Pavel & BRADOVÁ, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

 

ASH, Timothy Garton (2002): The Polish Revolution: Solidarity. Yale University Press.

 

ASH, Timothy Garton (1989): The Uses of Adversity. Essays on the Fate of Central Europe. New York, Random House.

 

ASH, Timothy Garton (1993): The Magic Lantern. The Revolution of ´89 Witnessed in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin and Prague. New York, Vintage Books.

 

Recommended web pages

 

Students are strongly advised to use the internet for sources on (East) Central European countries. The following sources are especially useful for obtaining materials for seminar case studies and presentations.

 

Radio Free Europe - Radio Liberty: <http://www.rferl.org>

Transitions Online: <http://www.tol.cz/> (quality online publication covering Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union)

Central Europe Online (http://www.centraleurope.com/ceo.html)

The Economist: <http://www.economist.com>

Freedom House (http://freedomhouse.org)

Moscow Carnegie Center: <http://www.carnegie.ru/en/>

The New Presence: www.new-presence.cz

NATO’s site: <http://www.nato.int>

Gateway to the European Union: <http://europa.eu.int>

European Voice (http://www.europeanvoice.com)

The New Presence (libraries or http://www.new-presence.cz)

The Final World - http://www.fsfinalword.com/english/Czech_news.htm

The Prague Post (CR’s top quality English language daily newspaper)

The Prague Tribune (monthly publication focusing on lifestyle and business in the CR)

The Media Services for Central Europe: www.monitorce.com

Web pages of political parties, deputies, senators, presidents, parliaments, politicians, various NGOs, BBC, The Guardian, The Times, The International Herald Tribune, CNN, etc.

 

In addition to that, a CD ROM with tens of newspaper as well as academic texts on Central European issues will be placed in the course file in the library.

 

COURSE OVERVIEW

 

Introduction to course. Course overview.

 

Central vs. Eastern Europe.

 

Reading:

 

Shub, Anatole. "The Other Europe." In: Shub, Anatole. (1970). An Empire Loses Hope: The Return of Stalin’s Ghost. London: Jonathan Cape. p. 9- 33.

 

Kopecek, Michal. "Politics, Anti-politics, and Czechs in Central Europe: The Idea of ‘Visegrád Cooperation’ and Its Reflection in Czech Politics in the 1990s."In: Bove, Andrew, (ed.) (2002) Questionable Returns, Vol. XII. Vienna: IWM Junior Visiting Fellows Conferences. (see common email address)

 

Recommended reading:

 

Cabada, Ladislav. "Central Europe at the beginning of the 21^st Century." In: Cabada, Ladislav. (ed.). (2002). Contemporary Questions of Central European Politics. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

 

Leff, Carol S. "The Search for Security in Europe after the Cold War." In: Leff, Carol S. (1997). The Czech and Slovak Republics: Nation Versus State. Boulder: HarperCollins.

 

Novels by Milan Kundera, Sándor Márai, Joseph Conrad, etc.

 

Seminar topics:

 

How does Central Europe differ from Eastern/Western Europe?

 

Interventions in Central Europe. 1956 and 1968.

 

Reading:

 

Shub, Anatole. "The Sheathed Knife." In: Shub, Anatole. (1970). An Empire Loses Hope: The Return of Stalin’s Ghost. London: Jonathan Cape. p. 369-396.

 

Shub, Anatole. "The Trial." In: Shub, Anatole. (1970). An Empire Loses Hope: The Return of Stalin’s Ghost. London: Jonathan Cape. p. 397-410.

 

Swain, Geoffrey & Swain, Nigel. "1956: Communism Renewed?" In: Swain, Geoffrey & Swain, Nigel. (2003). Eastern Europe since 1945, 3^rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 85-113

 

Recommended Reading:

 

Borhi, Laszlo.  "Failed Illusions: Moscow, Washington, Budapest, and the 1956 Hungarian Revolt." (2007). American Historical Review. 112(3). p. 822-823. (available through EBSCOhost database)

 

Krejci, Jaroslav & Machonin, Pavel. "The Prague Spring 1968 as an attempt at social transformation of the state socialist society." In: Krejci, Jaroslav & Machonin, Pavel. (1996). Czechoslovakia 1918-92: A Laboratory for Social Change. London: Macmillan Press.

 

Kusin, Vladimir V. "Conclusions." In: Kusin, Vladimir V. (1971). The Intellectual Origins of the Prague Spring: The Development of Reformist Ideas in Czechoslovakia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

Williams, Kieran. "Intervention." In: Williams, Kieran. (1997). The Prague Spring and its Aftermath. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

Seminar topics:

 

What is Central Europe?

Interventions in Central Europe. 1956 and 1968.

USSR’s empire in the 1970s and 1980s.

Find and be able to explain the following terms: Solidarity, Charter 77, dissidents.

 

Theories of transitions. Transition period in Central Europe.

 

Reading:

 

Bunce, Valerie. "The Political Transition." In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. p. 33-54.

 

Huntington, Samuel P. "A New Era in Democracy: Democracy’s Third Wave.

 

Chellaney, B.: "Europe Got Freedom, Asia Got Rich." The New York Times, 3.11.2009. www: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/opinion/04iht-edchellaney.html?_r=2&sq=brahma&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=all (course e-mail address)

 

Recommended reading:

 

Shevtsova, L.. "What is the matter with Russia?". Journal of Democracy, January 2010, Volume 21, Number 1. www: http://www.carnegie.ru/en/pubs/media/83887.htm ( course e-mail address)

 

 

Building of democratic constitutional systems in Central European countries.

 

Reading:

 

Calda, M. "Constitution-Making in the Post-Communist Countries: A Case of the Czech Republic". Conference paper: American Political Science Association Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, September 2/5, 1999. www: http://tucnak.fsv.cuni.cz/~calda/APSA99.pdf (common e-mail address)

 

Clark, Terry D. & Wittrock, Jill N. "Presidentialism and the Effect of Electoral Law in Postcommunist Systems." (2005). Comparative Political Studies. 38(2). p. 171-188 (find via EBSCO system)

 

Recommended reading:

 

Wiatr, Jerzy. "Parliamentarism vs. Presidentialism: Old Debate, New Experiences of Postcommunist States." In: Dvořáková, Vladimíra. (ed.). (1999). Success or Failure? Ten Years After. Prague:

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. p. 7-15. (library)

 

Rapaczynski, Andrzej. "Popular Sovereignty and the Concept of Representation." (1996). International Journal of Sociology. 26(4). p. 7-17. (available through EBSCOhost online subscription database.)

 

Protsyk, Oleh. "Prime ministers’ identity in semi-presidential regimes: Constitutional norms and cabinet formation outcomes." (2005). European Journal of Political Research.

 

Seminar topic:

 

Differing Paths of Constitutional Development in CEC.

 

PRESENTATION topic: Two decades after the collapse of communism.

Use the following texts. Research further reading.

 

Huntington, Samuel P. "A New Era in Democracy: Democracy’s Third Wave."

 

Chellaney, B.: "Europe Got Freedom, Asia Got Rich." The New York Times, 3.11.2009. www: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/opinion/04iht-edchellaney.html?_r=2&sq=brahma&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=all (course e-mail address and/or CD-ROM)

 

PRESENTATION topic: Differing Paths of Constitutional Development in CEC. Case study: Polish Constitutional development 1989-2000.

 

Use the following texts. Research further reading.

 

The Constitution of the Republic of Poland (April 1997). www: http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm. See mainly Chapters Iv, V and VI.

 

Janicki, Bartlomiej. (ed.). "Poland." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization.  p. 213-234.

 

Curry, Jane L. "Poland: The Politics of ‘God’s Playground.’" In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.  p. 165-190.

 

Central Europe in 1989.

 

Reading:

 

Swain, Geoffrey & Swain, Nigel. "The Fall of Actually Existing Socialism." In: Swain, Geoffrey & Swain, Nigel. (2003). Eastern Europe since 1945, 3^rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 200-231.

 

"Normalization at the family table." (2005). The New Presence.

 

MISGELD, Klaus - MOLIN, Karl: Solidarity Despite Reservations. The Baltic Worlds. Ash, Timothy Garton (1993): The Magic Lantern. The Revolution of ´89 Witnessed in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin and Prague. New York, Vintage Books.

 

Balticworlds.com, 21.9.2010. http://balticworlds.com/despite-reservations/

 

Recommended reading:

 

Gorbachev, Mikhail. "Perestroika: Origins, Essence, Revolutionary Character." In: Gorbachev, Mikhail. (1987). Perestroika. New Thinking for Our Country and the World. New York: Harper and Row Publishers. p. 3-45.

 

Seminar topics:

 

Revolutionary year 1989. Central European experience.

Years of perestroika in Central Europe.

Development of transition in different ECE countries.

The period of "Normalization"; the Brezhnev era. Describe, compare the atmosphere. Why the nostalgia?

Dissident movements. Impact of former dissidents on today’s politics (and political culture) in ECE countries.

 

 

Key moments in political development 1989-2011.

 

Reading:

 

Curry, Jane L. "Poland: The Politics of ‘God’s Playground.’" In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.  p. 165-190.

 

Argentieri, Federigo. "Hungary: Dealing with the Past and Moving into the Present." In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.) (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.  p. 215-232.

 

Calda, M. "Constitution-Making in the Post-Communist Countries: A Case of the Czech Republic". Conference paper: American Political Science Association Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, September 2/5, 1999. www: http://tucnak.fsv.cuni.cz/~calda/APSA99.pdf (common e-mail address)

 

Recommended reading:

 

Just, Petr. (ed.). "Czech Republic." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook.Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 9-30.

 

Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). "Hungary." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 113-134.

 

Janicki, Bartlomiej. (ed.). "Poland." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization.  p. 213-234.

 

Wolchik, Sharon L. "The Czech and Slovak Republics: Two Paths to the Same Destination." In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. p. 191-214.

 

Kučmáš, Pavol. (ed.). "Slovakia." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 317-348.

 

Seminar topic:

 

Specific Transition Experiences in Central Europe.

 

PRESENTATION topic: The Vladimir Meciar era. Slovakia in 1990s.

Use the following texts. Research further reading.

 

Wolchik, Sharon L. "The Czech and Slovak Republics: Two Paths to the Same Destination." In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. p. 191-214.

Remiaš, Ivan. "Cabinet battles Mečiar-era corruption". Spectator. www: http://spectator.sme.sk/articles/view/5415/1/ (course e-mail)

Kirschbaum, Stanislav J. "The Dissolution of Czechoslovakia. A case of failed state building?" In: Coakley, John. The territorial management of ethnic conflict. Routledge 2003, pp. 229-262. www: http://books.google.sk/books?id=UCrTIbBXbIoC&pg=PA254&lpg=PA254&dq=The+Meciar+era&source=bl&ots=E4uYaYnYJe&sig=uth1sHJIsIlvBh1Rd_VhNTCnyPs&hl=sk&ei=hAVoS8TVOKPsmgPHxsW7Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CC0Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=The%20Meciar%20era&f=false (see mainly p. 254).

 

Last parliamentary elections in Central European countries. Results and  consequences.

 

Reading:

 

Šaradín, Pavel. & Bradová, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

 

Interview with D. Tusk, Financial Times, January 2010.http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9ad8793a-0b74-11df-8232-00144feabdc0.html (course e-mail address)

 

Wagstyl, S. - Cienski, J.: Tusk’s tussle: Poland’s new leader has a hard task to find unity. The Financial Times, 22.10.2007.http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6bf1d7f4-80cc-11dc-9f14-0000779fd2ac.html.

 

Seminar topics:

 

Parliamentary elections in the Visegrad countries, 2005-2011. Political, social and economic development 2005-2011.

 

PRESENTATION topic: Hungary under Viktor Orbán.

 

Foreign policies of the Central European countries. Foreign policy priorities, security issues.

 

Reading:

 

Bradová, Eva, Migalski, Marek, Rácz, Andras, & Šaradín, Pavel. "EU and Visegrad: The Foreign Policy Consequences of the Elections." In: Šaradín, Pavel & Bradová, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. p. 188-209.

 

Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. "What Now?" In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. p. 271-378.

 

Polish foreign policy. Deployment of the U.S. missile defence in Poland. (see The Economist, RFE-RL web pages and Transitions Online)

 

Slovak foreign policy after the 2006/2010 parliamentary elections. (see The Economist, RFE-RL web pages and Transitions Online)

 

Seminar topics:

 

Foreign policy priorities. Security issues.

The last two EU enlargement waves.

Viktor Orban´s government and reactions of the West.

Czech and Polish positions towards the deployment of U.S. missile defence system 2007-2009 issue).

 

PRESENTATION topic(s): V4 countries and their national interests and foreign policy priorities at the end of the first decade of the 21^st century.

 

Bradová, Eva, Migalski, Marek, Rácz, Andras, & Šaradín, Pavel. "EU and Visegrad: The Foreign Policy Consequences of the Elections." In: Šaradín, Pavel & Bradová, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. p. 188-209.

 

Discuss the case of deployment of the U.S. missile defence components in Central Europe (See texts 2007-9).

 

Drahokoupil, Jan. "The Investment-Promotion Machines: The Politics  of Foreign Direct Investment Promotion in Central and Eastern Europe." (2008). Europe-Asia Studies. 60(2). p. 197-225. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

"From Visegrad to Mitteleuropa." (2005). The Economist. 375(8422). p. 45. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

McAllister, Ian & White, Stephen. "NATO enlargement and Eastern opinion." (2002). European Security. 11(4). p. 47-58. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

Party Systems in the CE countries in comparative perspective.

 

Reading:

 

Just, Petr. (ed.). "Czech Republic." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 19-22.

 

Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). "Hungary." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest : Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 123-128.

 

Janicki, Bartolomiej. (ed.). "Poland." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 222-228.

 

Kučmáš, Pavol. (ed.). "Slovakia". In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 333-339.

 

"Mandatory voting: the pros and cons." based upon a presentation by Robert Ray, Australian Senator. (course e-mail)

 

Seminar topics and reading:

 

"Mandatory voting: the pros and cons." based upon a presentation by Robert Ray, Australian Senator. (course e-mail)

 

Compulsory Vs Voluntary Voting. http://www.southsearepublic.org/article/317/read/compulsory_vs_voluntary_voting (course e-mail)

 

Extreme right-wing parties; the phenomenon of nationalism in post-communist societies.

 

PRESENTATION topic: Extreme right-wing parties; the phenomenon of nationalism in post-communist societies.

 

See the reading below: The New Presence articles, recommended web pages.

 

Schopflin, George. "Nationalism and the national minorities in East and Central Europe." (1991). Journal of International Affairs. 45(1). p. 51-66. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

Brzezinski, Zbigniew. "Post-communist Nationalism." (1989-1990). Foreign Affairs. 68(5). p. 1-25. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

Rupnik, Jacques. "The Reawakening of European Nationalisms." (1996). Social Research. 63(1). p. 41-75. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

Consult various web pages of extreme right wing parties in East Central Europe.

See web pages of the Slovak National Party and its leader, J. Slota.

See web pages of the Czech National Party (www.narodni-strana.cz)

See web pages of the League of Polish Families and its leader, R. Giertych.

See web pages of the Self-Defence political party and its leader, Andrzej Lepper.

Repa, Jan. (2006). "Polish nationalism resurgent." BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4754079.stm (accessed Sept. 13, 2008)

Jobbik, Magyar Gárda. http://www.budapesttimes.hu/content/view/7602/213/ (accessed Sept. 13, 2008).

 

Elections and electoral systems.

 

Reading:

 

Just, Petr. (ed.). "Czech Republic." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 19-22.

 

Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). "Hungary." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook.  Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 123-128.

 

Janicki, Bartolomiej. (ed.). "Poland." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 222-228.

 

Kučmáš, Pavol. (ed.). "Slovakia." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 333-339.

 

Articles on the parliamentary elections in the Visegrad countries, 2005 and 2006. See: Radio Free Europe - Radio Liberty: <http://www.rferl.org>, Transitions Online: <http://www.tol.cz/>, The Economist: <http://www.economist.com>, Moscow Carnegie Center: <http://www.carnegie.ru/en/>, The New Presence: www.new-presence.cz.

 

See web pages of the Communist party of Bohemia and Moravia, www.kscm.cz.

 

Hulpachová, Markéta. "Proposal seeks to ban communists." (2008) The Prague Post. http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2007/10/10/proposal-seeks-to-ban-communists.php (accessed: Sept. 13, 2008)

 

"Young Communists Appeal Against Party Ban." (2008) ČTK http://euroelections.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/young-communists-appeal-against-party-ban/ (accessed: Sept. 13, 2008)

 

"Young Czech Communists Against Radar." (2008). ČTK http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=332250 (accessed: Sept. 13, 2008)

 

David, Roman. "Lustration Systems, Collective Memory and Transformative Perspective of Transitional Justice." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the The Law and Society Association, TBA, Berlin, Germany, Jul 25, 2007 <Not Available>. 2008-09-12 http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p176831_index.html (find via EBSCO system)

 

Gawad, Aisha & Yi, Karen. (2008) "Showdown in Plzeň." The New Presence. 11(2). p. 19-21.

 

Munková, Eva. (2008). "Here come the Neo-Nazis." The New Presence. 11(2). p. 22-25.

 

Gawad, Aisha, Yi, Karen & Munková, Eva. (2008). "Why Are They Still Here?" The New Presence. 11(2). p. 26-28.

 

Seminar topics:

 

Current position of communist parties in East Central European countries.

Lustration laws

 

PRESENTATION topic: Grappling with Communist Past: CEEC Lustration 1989-present.

 

David, Roman: "Transitional Injustice? Criteria for Conformity of Lustration to the Right to Political Expression." In: Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 56, No. 6 (Sep., 2004), p. 789.

 

Letki, N.:  "Lustration and Democratisation in East-Central Europe, " in: Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 54, No. 4 (Jun., 2002), p. 529-552.

 

Los, M.: "Lustration and Truth Claims: Unfinished revolutions in Central Europe." In: Law&Social Inquiry, Vol.20, No.1. (Winter, 1995), pp.117-161.

 

Sczerbiak, A. "Dealing with the COmmunist Past or the Politics of the Present? Lustration in Post-Communist Poland" in: Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 54, No.4. (Jun, 2002), pp. 553-572.

 

Williams, Kieran, Fowler, Brigid, & Szczerbiak, Aleks. "Explaining lustration in Central Europe: A ‘post-communist politics’ approach." (2005). Democratization. 12(1). p. 22-43.

 

Letki, Natalia. "Lustration and Democratisation in East-Central Europe." (2002). 54(4). p. 529-552.

 

David, Roman. "Lustration Systems, Collective Memory and Transformative Perspective of Transitional Justice." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Law and Society Association, TBA, Berlin, Germany, Jul 25, 2007 <Not Available>. 2008-09-12 http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p176831_index.html (find via EBSCO system, Zbrojnice library computers)

 

angličtina

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (23.02.2014)

CHARLES UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES

 

Course: Central European Politics (1/1; 6 credits)

Course Code: JPM239

Academic Year 2013/2014

Summer Semester

Course time: 

2 WEDNESDAYS: April, 30. and May, 7 from 9:30 to 12:30 

2 FRIDAYS: May, 2. and May, 9 from 15:00 to 18:00

Seminar Room: TBD

Lecturer: PhDr. Malvína Krausz Hladká, Ph.D.

Office: J3099 Office hours: online only

E-mail: [e-mail]

Mailbox: IPS secretariat, building "A", Jinonice campus

Common e-mail address: (www.gmail.com)

 

Students are required to check the common e-mail address prior to each session; any possible changes (of time, topics, reading) would be announced there.

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION and GOALS

 

The main aim of this course is to familiarize students with political systems of central European states. It is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of central European politics, to highlight trends in development, and to help them anticipate some of the future problems of the region. The course will start with the question of whether we can speak about Central Europe as an entity, with a characterization of the region’s main cleavages, and will continue in blocks dealing with the process of democratization in Central Europe, political parties, party systems, parliamentary election systems, cabinet formation, and heads of states in Central Europe.

 

LECTURES and SEMINARS

 

Lectures and seminars: block teaching:

2 WEDNESDAYS: April, 30. and May, 7 from 9:30 to 12:30 

2 FRIDAYS: May, 2. and May, 9 from 15:00 to 18:00. A list of lecture topics is attached below. Seminars should focus in detail on issues arising from lectures. Seminars require preparation in advance. All students are expected to have completed allocated readings and/or assignments before the seminar.

 

Any changes (time, dates, topics, presentations, room) will be announced at the common course e-mail.  Students are required to check it prior to each session. Do not delete any e-mails from the course e-mail address!

 

Note: in case you wish to contact the lecturer, use her private e-mail address. There will no response in case you use the common e-mail address.

 

 

ASSESSMENT

 

Assessment will be based on one oral presentation and one written exam (60 minutes).

 

The final grade is a combination of the following items:

Presentation and Essay: 40%

Final exam: 60%

 

Participation in seminar discussions is required. Students are expected to attend 90 percent of seminars and lectures. Students are required to take the Final exam on the following date: ......................... For more information, see below.

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

Participation and preparation

 

All students, whether or not they are giving a presentation, are expected to prepare so that they can participate fully in the subsequent discussion of the topic. Participation in seminar discussions is required. Students are expected to attend 90 percent of seminars and lectures.

 

Presentation

 

The presentation and accompanying short essay account for 40 % of the total grade. The oral presentation should reflect an intellectual mastery of the topic, good structure, and good presentation. Each student (or: group of students) will give one formal presentation, which should last about 15 minutes.

 

Please, make sure that you come to the seminar the day when your presentation is due. Any presenter who cannot come the day of his/her presentation must inform the lecturer at least 48 hours in advance (see the lecturer’s private e-mail address above). You should provide the lecturer with a substantial reason (illness, etc.) for your absence. Please, note that you may be asked to present your work at another/following seminar. Any changes of this kind are to be discussed with the lecturer

 

F i n a l E x a m

 

Final exam accounts for 60% of the total grade.

Final exam questions/topics will be carefully chosen from all course lectures, seminar topics, required readings and presentations.

 

First term: ..........................

Students will be asked to take a multiple-choice test. In addition to that, they will be required to write short analyses on chosen topics.  All topics and the multiple choice questions will be carefully chosen from the lectures, required reading, presentations and seminar discussions. The examination will then be marked as following: Excellent, Very good, Good. 75% of correct answers are required in order to pass the test (the DPES policy).

 

Please, note:

 

In case you present the oral presentation and take the Final exam, your grade will be put into the SIS electronic system within next week. Please, CHECK THE E-SYSTEM FOR YOUR GRADE. Come to consult your work in case of any problems or possible failures. Consultation hours will be announced in the class and common e-mail address.

 

Second term: ......................

 

Third term: ........................... Students are asked not to postpone the exam to this very last term.

 

A BRIEF COURSE OVERVIEW

 

INTRODUCTORY SESSION:

 

An introductory session. Course overview.

 

FIRST LECTURE & SEMINAR BLOCK: 

 

Central vs. Eastern Europe. (What is Central Europe)

 

Seminar topics:

 

-          What is Central Europe?

-          Interventions in Central Europe. 1956 and 1968.

 

SECOND LECTURE & SEMINAR BLOCK: 

Theories of transitions. Transition period in Central Europe (in comparison with the development in Eastern Europe). 

 

 

THIRD LECTURE & SEMINAR BLOCK: 

 

Building of democratic constitutional systems in CE countries.

 

Central Europe in 1989.

 

 

FOURTH LECTURES & SEMINARS BLOCK: 

 

Key moments in political development 1989-2014.

 

FIFTH LECTURES & SEMINARS BLOCK:

 

Last parliamentary and presidential elections in CE countries. Elections results and the following political development of V4 countries and the CE region.

Foreign policies of the CE countries. Foreign policy priorities, security issues.

 

Elections and electoral systems. Party systems in the CE countries in comparative perspective.

 

FINAL EXAM:

 

 

Seminars

 

Seminars follow the lectures. Seminar topics are related to the reading. In order to facilitate learning, class readings may be altered prior to the next meeting. Additional readings will be distributed when appropriate. In addition to that, students are required to check the e-mail prior to each lecture/seminar. Do not delete any e-mails from the course e-mail address!

 

Students will choose their seminar presentation topics on ......................

 

COURSE READING

 

Students are asked to read the required material prior to the class for which it is assigned. Reading will serve as the basis for class discussions; it will be a part of the Final exam. At times assigned reading will be supplemented with additional materials. The instructor reserves the right to alter the reading in order to facilitate learning. In addition to that, all students are asked to follow the basic news from the Central European region (see daily/weekly newspapers and journals, web pages, radio stations, TV news). All students should be informed about major current political development in the ECE region/countries.

 

Core course reading

 

WOLCHIK, Sharon L. & CURRY, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.

 

SWAIN, Geoffrey & SWAIN, Nigel. (2003). Eastern Europe since 1945, 3^rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

 

KÉGLER, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization.

 

Recommended course reading

 

ŠARADÍN, Pavel & BRADOVÁ, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

 

ASH, Timothy Garton (2002): The Polish Revolution: Solidarity. Yale University Press.

 

ASH, Timothy Garton (1989): The Uses of Adversity. Essays on the Fate of Central Europe. New York, Random House.

 

ASH, Timothy Garton (1993): The Magic Lantern. The Revolution of ´89 Witnessed in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin and Prague. New York, Vintage Books.

 

Recommended web pages

 

Students are strongly advised to use the internet for sources on (East) Central European countries. The following sources are especially useful for obtaining materials for seminar case studies and presentations.

 

Radio Free Europe - Radio Liberty: <http://www.rferl.org>

Transitions Online: <http://www.tol.cz/> (quality online publication covering Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union)

Central Europe Online (http://www.centraleurope.com/ceo.html)

The Economist: <http://www.economist.com>

Freedom House (http://freedomhouse.org)

Moscow Carnegie Center: <http://www.carnegie.ru/en/>

The New Presence: www.new-presence.cz

NATO’s site: <http://www.nato.int>

Gateway to the European Union: <http://europa.eu.int>

European Voice (http://www.europeanvoice.com)

The New Presence (libraries or http://www.new-presence.cz)

The Final World - http://www.fsfinalword.com/english/Czech_news.htm

The Prague Post (CR’s top quality English language daily newspaper)

The Prague Tribune (monthly publication focusing on lifestyle and business in the CR)

The Media Services for Central Europe: www.monitorce.com

Web pages of political parties, deputies, senators, presidents, parliaments, politicians, various NGOs, BBC, The Guardian, The Times, The International Herald Tribune, CNN, etc.

 

In addition to that, a CD ROM with tens of newspaper as well as academic texts on Central European issues will be placed in the course file in the library.

 

COURSE OVERVIEW

 

Introduction to course. Course overview.

 

Central vs. Eastern Europe.

 

Reading:

 

Shub, Anatole. "The Other Europe." In: Shub, Anatole. (1970). An Empire Loses Hope: The Return of Stalin’s Ghost. London: Jonathan Cape. p. 9- 33.

 

Kopecek, Michal. "Politics, Anti-politics, and Czechs in Central Europe: The Idea of ‘Visegrád Cooperation’ and Its Reflection in Czech Politics in the 1990s."In: Bove, Andrew, (ed.) (2002) Questionable Returns, Vol. XII. Vienna: IWM Junior Visiting Fellows Conferences. (see common email address)

 

Recommended reading:

 

Cabada, Ladislav. "Central Europe at the beginning of the 21^st Century." In: Cabada, Ladislav. (ed.). (2002). Contemporary Questions of Central European Politics. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

 

Leff, Carol S. "The Search for Security in Europe after the Cold War." In: Leff, Carol S. (1997). The Czech and Slovak Republics: Nation Versus State. Boulder: HarperCollins.

 

Novels by Milan Kundera, Sándor Márai, Joseph Conrad, etc.

 

Seminar topics:

 

How does Central Europe differ from Eastern/Western Europe?

 

Interventions in Central Europe. 1956 and 1968.

 

Reading:

 

Shub, Anatole. "The Sheathed Knife." In: Shub, Anatole. (1970). An Empire Loses Hope: The Return of Stalin’s Ghost. London: Jonathan Cape. p. 369-396.

 

Shub, Anatole. "The Trial." In: Shub, Anatole. (1970). An Empire Loses Hope: The Return of Stalin’s Ghost. London: Jonathan Cape. p. 397-410.

 

Swain, Geoffrey & Swain, Nigel. "1956: Communism Renewed?" In: Swain, Geoffrey & Swain, Nigel. (2003). Eastern Europe since 1945, 3^rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 85-113

 

Recommended Reading:

 

Borhi, Laszlo.  "Failed Illusions: Moscow, Washington, Budapest, and the 1956 Hungarian Revolt." (2007). American Historical Review. 112(3). p. 822-823. (available through EBSCOhost database)

 

Krejci, Jaroslav & Machonin, Pavel. "The Prague Spring 1968 as an attempt at social transformation of the state socialist society." In: Krejci, Jaroslav & Machonin, Pavel. (1996). Czechoslovakia 1918-92: A Laboratory for Social Change. London: Macmillan Press.

 

Kusin, Vladimir V. "Conclusions." In: Kusin, Vladimir V. (1971). The Intellectual Origins of the Prague Spring: The Development of Reformist Ideas in Czechoslovakia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

Williams, Kieran. "Intervention." In: Williams, Kieran. (1997). The Prague Spring and its Aftermath. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

Seminar topics:

 

What is Central Europe?

Interventions in Central Europe. 1956 and 1968.

USSR’s empire in the 1970s and 1980s.

Find and be able to explain the following terms: Solidarity, Charter 77, dissidents.

 

Theories of transitions. Transition period in Central Europe.

 

Reading:

 

Bunce, Valerie. "The Political Transition." In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. p. 33-54.

 

Huntington, Samuel P. "A New Era in Democracy: Democracy’s Third Wave.

 

Chellaney, B.: "Europe Got Freedom, Asia Got Rich." The New York Times, 3.11.2009. www: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/opinion/04iht-edchellaney.html?_r=2&sq=brahma&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=all (course e-mail address)

 

Recommended reading:

 

Shevtsova, L.. "What is the matter with Russia?". Journal of Democracy, January 2010, Volume 21, Number 1. www: http://www.carnegie.ru/en/pubs/media/83887.htm ( course e-mail address)

 

 

Building of democratic constitutional systems in Central European countries.

 

Reading:

 

Calda, M. "Constitution-Making in the Post-Communist Countries: A Case of the Czech Republic". Conference paper: American Political Science Association Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, September 2/5, 1999. www: http://tucnak.fsv.cuni.cz/~calda/APSA99.pdf (common e-mail address)

 

Clark, Terry D. & Wittrock, Jill N. "Presidentialism and the Effect of Electoral Law in Postcommunist Systems." (2005). Comparative Political Studies. 38(2). p. 171-188 (find via EBSCO system)

 

Recommended reading:

 

Wiatr, Jerzy. "Parliamentarism vs. Presidentialism: Old Debate, New Experiences of Postcommunist States." In: Dvořáková, Vladimíra. (ed.). (1999). Success or Failure? Ten Years After. Prague:

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. p. 7-15. (library)

 

Rapaczynski, Andrzej. "Popular Sovereignty and the Concept of Representation." (1996). International Journal of Sociology. 26(4). p. 7-17. (available through EBSCOhost online subscription database.)

 

Protsyk, Oleh. "Prime ministers’ identity in semi-presidential regimes: Constitutional norms and cabinet formation outcomes." (2005). European Journal of Political Research.

 

Seminar topic:

 

Differing Paths of Constitutional Development in CEC.

 

PRESENTATION topic: Two decades after the collapse of communism.

Use the following texts. Research further reading.

 

Huntington, Samuel P. "A New Era in Democracy: Democracy’s Third Wave."

 

Chellaney, B.: "Europe Got Freedom, Asia Got Rich." The New York Times, 3.11.2009. www: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/opinion/04iht-edchellaney.html?_r=2&sq=brahma&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=all (course e-mail address and/or CD-ROM)

 

PRESENTATION topic: Differing Paths of Constitutional Development in CEC. Case study: Polish Constitutional development 1989-2000.

 

Use the following texts. Research further reading.

 

The Constitution of the Republic of Poland (April 1997). www: http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm. See mainly Chapters Iv, V and VI.

 

Janicki, Bartlomiej. (ed.). "Poland." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization.  p. 213-234.

 

Curry, Jane L. "Poland: The Politics of ‘God’s Playground.’" In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.  p. 165-190.

 

Central Europe in 1989.

 

Reading:

 

Swain, Geoffrey & Swain, Nigel. "The Fall of Actually Existing Socialism." In: Swain, Geoffrey & Swain, Nigel. (2003). Eastern Europe since 1945, 3^rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 200-231.

 

"Normalization at the family table." (2005). The New Presence.

 

MISGELD, Klaus - MOLIN, Karl: Solidarity Despite Reservations. The Baltic Worlds. Ash, Timothy Garton (1993): The Magic Lantern. The Revolution of ´89 Witnessed in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin and Prague. New York, Vintage Books.

 

Balticworlds.com, 21.9.2010. http://balticworlds.com/despite-reservations/

 

Recommended reading:

 

Gorbachev, Mikhail. "Perestroika: Origins, Essence, Revolutionary Character." In: Gorbachev, Mikhail. (1987). Perestroika. New Thinking for Our Country and the World. New York: Harper and Row Publishers. p. 3-45.

 

Seminar topics:

 

Revolutionary year 1989. Central European experience.

Years of perestroika in Central Europe.

Development of transition in different ECE countries.

The period of "Normalization"; the Brezhnev era. Describe, compare the atmosphere. Why the nostalgia?

Dissident movements. Impact of former dissidents on today’s politics (and political culture) in ECE countries.

 

 

Key moments in political development 1989-2011.

 

Reading:

 

Curry, Jane L. "Poland: The Politics of ‘God’s Playground.’" In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.  p. 165-190.

 

Argentieri, Federigo. "Hungary: Dealing with the Past and Moving into the Present." In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.) (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.  p. 215-232.

 

Calda, M. "Constitution-Making in the Post-Communist Countries: A Case of the Czech Republic". Conference paper: American Political Science Association Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, September 2/5, 1999. www: http://tucnak.fsv.cuni.cz/~calda/APSA99.pdf (common e-mail address)

 

Recommended reading:

 

Just, Petr. (ed.). "Czech Republic." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook.Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 9-30.

 

Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). "Hungary." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 113-134.

 

Janicki, Bartlomiej. (ed.). "Poland." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization.  p. 213-234.

 

Wolchik, Sharon L. "The Czech and Slovak Republics: Two Paths to the Same Destination." In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. p. 191-214.

 

Kučmáš, Pavol. (ed.). "Slovakia." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 317-348.

 

Seminar topic:

 

Specific Transition Experiences in Central Europe.

 

PRESENTATION topic: The Vladimir Meciar era. Slovakia in 1990s.

Use the following texts. Research further reading.

 

Wolchik, Sharon L. "The Czech and Slovak Republics: Two Paths to the Same Destination." In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. p. 191-214.

Remiaš, Ivan. "Cabinet battles Mečiar-era corruption". Spectator. www: http://spectator.sme.sk/articles/view/5415/1/ (course e-mail)

Kirschbaum, Stanislav J. "The Dissolution of Czechoslovakia. A case of failed state building?" In: Coakley, John. The territorial management of ethnic conflict. Routledge 2003, pp. 229-262. www: http://books.google.sk/books?id=UCrTIbBXbIoC&pg=PA254&lpg=PA254&dq=The+Meciar+era&source=bl&ots=E4uYaYnYJe&sig=uth1sHJIsIlvBh1Rd_VhNTCnyPs&hl=sk&ei=hAVoS8TVOKPsmgPHxsW7Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CC0Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=The%20Meciar%20era&f=false (see mainly p. 254).

 

Last parliamentary elections in Central European countries. Results and  consequences.

 

Reading:

 

Šaradín, Pavel. & Bradová, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

 

Interview with D. Tusk, Financial Times, January 2010.http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9ad8793a-0b74-11df-8232-00144feabdc0.html (course e-mail address)

 

Wagstyl, S. - Cienski, J.: Tusk’s tussle: Poland’s new leader has a hard task to find unity. The Financial Times, 22.10.2007.http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6bf1d7f4-80cc-11dc-9f14-0000779fd2ac.html.

 

Seminar topics:

 

Parliamentary elections in the Visegrad countries, 2005-2011. Political, social and economic development 2005-2011.

 

PRESENTATION topic: Hungary under Viktor Orbán.

 

Foreign policies of the Central European countries. Foreign policy priorities, security issues.

 

Reading:

 

Bradová, Eva, Migalski, Marek, Rácz, Andras, & Šaradín, Pavel. "EU and Visegrad: The Foreign Policy Consequences of the Elections." In: Šaradín, Pavel & Bradová, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. p. 188-209.

 

Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. "What Now?" In: Wolchik, Sharon L. & Curry, Jane L. (eds.). (2008). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield. p. 271-378.

 

Polish foreign policy. Deployment of the U.S. missile defence in Poland. (see The Economist, RFE-RL web pages and Transitions Online)

 

Slovak foreign policy after the 2006/2010 parliamentary elections. (see The Economist, RFE-RL web pages and Transitions Online)

 

Seminar topics:

 

Foreign policy priorities. Security issues.

The last two EU enlargement waves.

Viktor Orban´s government and reactions of the West.

Czech and Polish positions towards the deployment of U.S. missile defence system 2007-2009 issue).

 

PRESENTATION topic(s): V4 countries and their national interests and foreign policy priorities at the end of the first decade of the 21^st century.

 

Bradová, Eva, Migalski, Marek, Rácz, Andras, & Šaradín, Pavel. "EU and Visegrad: The Foreign Policy Consequences of the Elections." In: Šaradín, Pavel & Bradová, Eva. (eds.). (2007). Visegrad Votes: Parliamentary Elections 2005-2006. Olomouc: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. p. 188-209.

 

Discuss the case of deployment of the U.S. missile defence components in Central Europe (See texts 2007-9).

 

Drahokoupil, Jan. "The Investment-Promotion Machines: The Politics  of Foreign Direct Investment Promotion in Central and Eastern Europe." (2008). Europe-Asia Studies. 60(2). p. 197-225. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

"From Visegrad to Mitteleuropa." (2005). The Economist. 375(8422). p. 45. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

McAllister, Ian & White, Stephen. "NATO enlargement and Eastern opinion." (2002). European Security. 11(4). p. 47-58. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

Party Systems in the CE countries in comparative perspective.

 

Reading:

 

Just, Petr. (ed.). "Czech Republic." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 19-22.

 

Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). "Hungary." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest : Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 123-128.

 

Janicki, Bartolomiej. (ed.). "Poland." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 222-228.

 

Kučmáš, Pavol. (ed.). "Slovakia". In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 333-339.

 

"Mandatory voting: the pros and cons." based upon a presentation by Robert Ray, Australian Senator. (course e-mail)

 

Seminar topics and reading:

 

"Mandatory voting: the pros and cons." based upon a presentation by Robert Ray, Australian Senator. (course e-mail)

 

Compulsory Vs Voluntary Voting. http://www.southsearepublic.org/article/317/read/compulsory_vs_voluntary_voting (course e-mail)

 

Extreme right-wing parties; the phenomenon of nationalism in post-communist societies.

 

PRESENTATION topic: Extreme right-wing parties; the phenomenon of nationalism in post-communist societies.

 

See the reading below: The New Presence articles, recommended web pages.

 

Schopflin, George. "Nationalism and the national minorities in East and Central Europe." (1991). Journal of International Affairs. 45(1). p. 51-66. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

Brzezinski, Zbigniew. "Post-communist Nationalism." (1989-1990). Foreign Affairs. 68(5). p. 1-25. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

Rupnik, Jacques. "The Reawakening of European Nationalisms." (1996). Social Research. 63(1). p. 41-75. (available online through EBSCOhost database.)

 

Consult various web pages of extreme right wing parties in East Central Europe.

See web pages of the Slovak National Party and its leader, J. Slota.

See web pages of the Czech National Party (www.narodni-strana.cz)

See web pages of the League of Polish Families and its leader, R. Giertych.

See web pages of the Self-Defence political party and its leader, Andrzej Lepper.

Repa, Jan. (2006). "Polish nationalism resurgent." BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4754079.stm (accessed Sept. 13, 2008)

Jobbik, Magyar Gárda. http://www.budapesttimes.hu/content/view/7602/213/ (accessed Sept. 13, 2008).

 

Elections and electoral systems.

 

Reading:

 

Just, Petr. (ed.). "Czech Republic." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 19-22.

 

Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). "Hungary." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook.  Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 123-128.

 

Janicki, Bartolomiej. (ed.). "Poland." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 222-228.

 

Kučmáš, Pavol. (ed.). "Slovakia." In: Kégler, Ádam. (ed.). (2003). The Visegrad Yearbook. Budapest: Central European Student Partnership Organization. p. 333-339.

 

Articles on the parliamentary elections in the Visegrad countries, 2005 and 2006. See: Radio Free Europe - Radio Liberty: <http://www.rferl.org>, Transitions Online: <http://www.tol.cz/>, The Economist: <http://www.economist.com>, Moscow Carnegie Center: <http://www.carnegie.ru/en/>, The New Presence: www.new-presence.cz.

 

See web pages of the Communist party of Bohemia and Moravia, www.kscm.cz.

 

Hulpachová, Markéta. "Proposal seeks to ban communists." (2008) The Prague Post. http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2007/10/10/proposal-seeks-to-ban-communists.php (accessed: Sept. 13, 2008)

 

"Young Communists Appeal Against Party Ban." (2008) ČTK http://euroelections.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/young-communists-appeal-against-party-ban/ (accessed: Sept. 13, 2008)

 

"Young Czech Communists Against Radar." (2008). ČTK http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=332250 (accessed: Sept. 13, 2008)

 

David, Roman. "Lustration Systems, Collective Memory and Transformative Perspective of Transitional Justice." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the The Law and Society Association, TBA, Berlin, Germany, Jul 25, 2007 <Not Available>. 2008-09-12 http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p176831_index.html (find via EBSCO system)

 

Gawad, Aisha & Yi, Karen. (2008) "Showdown in Plzeň." The New Presence. 11(2). p. 19-21.

 

Munková, Eva. (2008). "Here come the Neo-Nazis." The New Presence. 11(2). p. 22-25.

 

Gawad, Aisha, Yi, Karen & Munková, Eva. (2008). "Why Are They Still Here?" The New Presence. 11(2). p. 26-28.

 

Seminar topics:

 

Current position of communist parties in East Central European countries.

Lustration laws

 

PRESENTATION topic: Grappling with Communist Past: CEEC Lustration 1989-present.

 

David, Roman: "Transitional Injustice? Criteria for Conformity of Lustration to the Right to Political Expression." In: Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 56, No. 6 (Sep., 2004), p. 789.

 

Letki, N.:  "Lustration and Democratisation in East-Central Europe, " in: Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 54, No. 4 (Jun., 2002), p. 529-552.

 

Los, M.: "Lustration and Truth Claims: Unfinished revolutions in Central Europe." In: Law&Social Inquiry, Vol.20, No.1. (Winter, 1995), pp.117-161.

 

Sczerbiak, A. "Dealing with the COmmunist Past or the Politics of the Present? Lustration in Post-Communist Poland" in: Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 54, No.4. (Jun, 2002), pp. 553-572.

 

Williams, Kieran, Fowler, Brigid, & Szczerbiak, Aleks. "Explaining lustration in Central Europe: A ‘post-communist politics’ approach." (2005). Democratization. 12(1). p. 22-43.

 

Letki, Natalia. "Lustration and Democratisation in East-Central Europe." (2002). 54(4). p. 529-552.

 

David, Roman. "Lustration Systems, Collective Memory and Transformative Perspective of Transitional Justice." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Law and Society Association, TBA, Berlin, Germany, Jul 25, 2007 <Not Available>. 2008-09-12 http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p176831_index.html (find via EBSCO system, Zbrojnice library computers)

 

Vstupní požadavky

čeština

Poslední úprava: HLADKA (07.04.2008)

none