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10281. Iñaki Garcia Blanco, Sofie Van Bauwel, and Bart Cammaerts (eds.), Media Agoras. Democracy, Diversity and Communication

Author:
Daniel Şandru
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
The normative theory of democracy often states that, among the conditions needed for democracy to function, consensus between leaders and social groups, freedom of speech and access to alternative sources of information are those which contribute decisively to the configuration of a public space wherein debate reveals its significance in relation to “the fallacy of electoralism” stressed by the studies on democratisation. In other words, the contemporary understanding of democracy – also supported by empirical analyses specific to comparative politics – no longer illustrates the belief that this system resides only in “free and fair” electoral processes – a condition which is necessary but not sufficient for the existence of democracy – but stresses instead the need to include debate in decision-making processes, by giving an opportunity to speak to all the groups activating in the social space.
Topic:
Communications

10282. Marc Morjé Howard, The Politics of Citizenship in Europe

Author:
Ivana Tomovska
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
The empirical study of citizenship policy in Europe still represents a poorly understood topic. A number of studies concentrate on the rights and practices of citizens as well as the issues of new migrants and their citizenship status. However, to the present there has been very scarce analysis produced treating comparative studies of citizenship across Europe and providing both historical and quantitative analysis.
Political Geography:
Europe

10283. Sigal R. Ben-Porath, Tough Choices: Structured Paternalism and the Landscape of Choice

Author:
Jiří J. Šebek
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
State paternalism smacks of an undue subordination to authorities, this is a common intuition. Sigal R. Ben-Porath might however change one's opinion as she has explored the term in depth in areas related to choice, regulation of intimacy, children and education, and oppressed and illiberal subcultures. While examining the value laden “paternalism”, Ben-Porath managed to tap a strong vein which is present in contemporary liberal democracies, that of a link between the debate on policy and the practice of implementing political ideals in particular circumstances. Ben-Porath approached this “last mile” problem with a challenging claim: structured paternalism delivers real options to choose from to citizens whose limited circumstances would not otherwise allow them to realise their civic rights.

10284. Emel Akçali, Chypre: Un Enjeu Géopolitique Actuel

Author:
Ana Dinescu
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
The end of the Cold War brought old conflicts back into the light. There were some instances when such conflicts bear immediate geostrategic relevance for international actors and practical considerations of the international organisations lead to medium and long-term solutions. Cyprus is one example in this vein, its Greek part being invited to become a full member of the European Union in May 2004, while the Turkish part was placed on a waiting list.
Topic:
Cold War
Political Geography:
Turkey

10285. Quentin Skinner, Hobbes and Republican Liberty

Author:
Mark Castelino
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
Historian Quentin Skinner's latest book deals with the notion of political liberty in the thought of Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679). Hobbes is well-known as a staunch proponent of absolute monarchical government; thus it might seem strange at first glance that Hobbes's name should find itself associated here with republicanism, a political ideology most associated with rule by the people. However, one sees that the juxtaposition of the two terms in the book's title is not at all out of place once the book's content is taken into account.

10286. Richard H. Immerman, Empire for Liberty, A History of American Imperialism from Benjamin Franklin to Paul Wolfowitz

Author:
Oana-Elena Brânda
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
The academic profile of Richard Immerman  places him in the field of US foreign relations research. That is why a book about the American Empire viewed from a conceptual and rather philosophical side came as a surprise. Empire for Liberty, A History of American Imperialism from  Benjamin Franklin to Paul Wolfowitz is an effort to build along a chronological line, the argumentation to support today's existence of an American Empire. The book focuses on the evolution of the idea of an American Empire from the 18th century to present day. According to Immerman, the American Empire was built in two centuries, with extreme strains made not only by decision makers, but also by the people.
Political Geography:
United States

10287. Ioannis N. Grigoriadis, Trials of Europeanization, Turkish Political Culture and the European Union

Author:
Ömer Aslan
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
The concept of 'Europeanization' has gained a wide currency among the students of Turkey-European Union [EU] relations with much of the focus devoted to Turkey's membership process and the EU's influence on Turkey. Regarding the latter, scholars have utilized this concept to explain Turkish democratization reforms, which the incumbent Turkish foreign minister described as the “silent revolution,” and Turkey's reliance on soft power tools such as diplomacy and negotiations in foreign policy under the current government . Yet, as Erguder points out in his foreword to this book, although it has the potential to undermine the permanency and deeper internationalization of such reforms, how Turkish political culture has been evolving has remained understudied. Hence, Grigoriadis' book seeks out to fill this gap. Taking Europeanization as the “goodness of fit” allows the author to clarify that, even though the EU is not the sole factor for the transformation that has taken place in Turkey, the EU has been a crucial pillar in the liberalization of Turkish political culture.
Political Geography:
Europe and Turkey

10288. Andreas Goldthau and Jan Martin Witte (eds.) Global Energy Governance. The New Rules of the Game

Author:
Paula Ganga
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
Traditionally, when energy is discussed the focus is placed primarily on the supply side of the chain, on state-to-state competition in which one country's energy gain is another one's loss and on the struggle to achieve energy security and be protected against a possible “energy weapon”. Both the academic and the policy worlds still use this zero-sum approach to analyze the energy domain while the changes that have occurred in the global energy landscape should have made this geopolitical paradigm obsolete. With these observations in mind the authors have embarked on addressing this research gap by shifting the focus of the energy discussion from a narrow security perspective to a broader governance-centered view on energy emphasizing the role played by rules and institutions.
Topic:
Government

10289. Hugh Compston, Policy Networks and Policy Change

Author:
Svetozar Dimitrov
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
Devising a theory of political science or public policy that can flawlessly predict the future is among the most sought-after goals of political scientists. While the subjective nature of studying human political behavior is unlikely to permit the formulation of a universally correct predictive theory, there are breakthroughs that doubtlessly give us applicable insight into forecasting future developments in public policy. With Policy Networks and Policy Change: Putting Policy Network Theory to the Test , Hugh Compston has attempted to make such a breakthrough.
Political Geography:
Europe

10290. Is Toleration Possible and Morally Relevant in the International Realm?

Author:
Devrim Kabasakal Badamchi
Publication Date:
09-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Uluslararasi Iliskiler
Institution:
Uluslararasi Iliskiler
Abstract:
In the contemporary political theory literature, toleration has been considered widely as an intra-state issue rather than an inter-state issue. First, this paper argues that the possible reasons for this disregard on the international aspect of the concept do not justify the disregard. Secondly, it demonstrates that international toleration is conceptually possible by outlining its characteristics (structure). Thirdly, it lays out the possible different reasons that might be offered for the justification of international toleration. In line with this, it is claimed that toleration, to bare a strong moral relevance in the international realm, should be founded on the idea of 'equal respect'.