Approaches in the Political Science Today

Author(s): Ciprian Iftimoaei / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2015

In over 2,000 years of existence, approaches in political science evolved from philosophical and normative reflections on various forms of organization of the ancient world to contemporary interdisciplinary approaches based on refining concepts and theories accumulated over time and the use of complex research methodologies, own or borrowed from related fields of studies such as sociology, political psychology, econometrics, advanced statistics. Although quantitative approaches prevails in contemporary research, does not lack political philosophy studies, theoretical and ideological approaches, inspired by everyday realities and empirical research results.

MESURE DE L’INSTABILITÉ POLITIQUE DANS LES PAYS EN DÉVELOPPEMENT: UNE APPROCHE MULTIDIMENSIONNELLE

Author(s): Marzougui Mounir / Language(s): French Issue: 1 (30)/2016

In this article, we aim to examine the multidimensional nature of the political instability in developing countries and to derive new measures of political instability. To this end, we use a principal components analysis on a set of 25 indicators of political instability for 114 developing countries. We arrived to detect four dimensions of political instability, namely; the level of democracy, violence and politically motivated protest, the effects of neighboring countries, and instability in government.

MOŻLIWOŚCI ZASTOSOWANIA METOD POTĘGOMETRII DLA WYBRANYCH CELÓW ANALIZY GEOPOLITYCZNEJ

Author(s): Tomasz Klin / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 08/2011

A tranzitológiának vége, felejtsük el? Az átmenet tervezett intézményeitől a tervezetlen hibridizációig

Author(s): Ervin Csizmadia / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 2/2016

The essay focuses on answering the question of what happened to transitology, the main narrative of the 1989–90 process of democratization, after it prevailed. The theory lasted for just one decade and already at the beginning of the millennium Thomas Carothers declared the end of transitology. However, many things happened between its birth and demise. This essay aims to map this intermediate phase, as well as to present two experiments for the theoretical adaptation of transitology: the theories concerning the foundation and consolidation of institutions, and those concerning the creation of hybrid and illiberal regimes. The analysis would like to call attention to the fact that the theories of the period of transition were far from identical, they went through serious changes during the 90s. These changes however came about not outside of the trend, but within, therefore the approach of the founding theory pervades these pieces of writing. In some places the essay refers to criticisms incurred by transition theories, nevertheless, these are external critiques of transitology, therefore the essay only speaks of these tangentially. The author comes to the conclusion that though transitology has run out of wind, the theoretical and attitudinal lessons of it remain largely unprocessed to this day.

Parlamentarni izbori u Srbiji 2014. godine: mali jubilej

Author(s): Milan N. Jovanović / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 11/2014

The author recapitulates the effects of certain aspects of the electoral system and the consequences they have produced in the political system. It is shown that in the last 24 years, Serbian citizens spent nearly one month in the polls, casting their ballots for committee members, deputies, the President or voting in referenda. Only twice have elections for deputies been held independently and separately from elections for other levels of government, while the majority–namely seven, were extraordinary elections. The ten election cycles show an increasing trend of electoral abstention, which in the 2014 elections, reached an alarming point. There are two phases in the development of the electoral system. The first one, ending in 2000, was characterised by frequent and large electoral reforms. The second phase, since 2000, shows that the disproportional system assumes the character of an „unchangeable institution“. The closed blocked list and the relatively low election threshold in a constitutency <have led to a great number of parties in the Parliament and to weak coalition governments. Indices of disproportionality and of the number of effective parties show a weak instutionalisaton of the party system, lack of rootedness of political parties within the society and a low level of party identification. The conclusion is that the electoral system has failed to contribute to the stability of the parliamentary and party sistem, which has had negative consequences for the functioning of the political system overall and requires a well designed electoral reform.

Kampanja pred vanredne parlamentarne izbore u Srbiji 2014: Teme u funkciji promocije lidera

Author(s): Siniša M. Atlagić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 11/2014

The domination of economic and social issues in 2014 Serbian parliamentary election campaign could have lead to a conclusion it had been an issue one. However, once again, as it happened in the campaign two years ago, very similar promises made in a general manner have made voters’ emotional and value-orineted attitudes and not their rational motivation to be in the foreground.

Výskum cezhraničnej spolupráce medzi Slovenskou republikou a Ukrajinou

Author(s): Vladislav Dudinský,Vladimír Dančišin,Martin Lačný / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 1/2017

In the circumstances of existing tendencies towards integration within uniting Europe, it is necessary to surmount mental stereotypes, which, from the historical point of view, have perceived borders and border zones as the areas of potential conflict, battlefield or buffer-zone, where all more significant investments are exposed to possible risk. Surpassing this legacy of the past is relevant also in the case of the Slovak-Ukrainian border zone, which though having a real potential is stigmatized by the phenomenon of periphery and border zone. The realized research, which is the subject of the study, assesses a current state of cross-border cooperation between the Slovak Republic and Ukraine and exposes its positives and at the same time also deficiencies, which are reflected by its participants.

Фракционализација партијског система и стабилност владе

Author(s): Marko Pejković / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 2/2011

The purpose of this paper is to establish whether there exists and to what degree, statistical correlation between two important political phenomena: fractionalization (fragmentation) of party system and government stability (cabinet duration), in political system of Serbia. If the eventual correlation is strong, author holds that it would certainly help us not just in sense of more sophisticated inference in political science regarding (in)stability of political institutions, but it does so also in manner of providing us with means to raise political science in Serbia to upper level, which includes not just description and explanation, but relatively reliable prognostic methods through utilization of regression analysis as well. But firstly, the author deals with common formula indexes concerning fractionalization and choose one of them and no matter the fact that choice itself doesn’t affect neither the correlation coefficient nor regression, he is induced to this step because there is still no consensus about due index among scientists and because any formula differently responds to our intuitive comprehension of what the relevant number of parties should be, bearing in mind that between party power and index value, different deviations emerge using different formulas.

Přehled zahraničních zkušeností s vlivem aditivní výroby na vývoj a nasazení vojenských technologií

Author(s): Jakub Harašta / Language(s): Czech Issue: 2/2015

The paper presents the additive manufacturing method as a possible alternative to the current subtractive manufacturing methods. Based on literature survey, some of the problematic aspects of the discrepancy between the lengthy development cycles and rapidly changing operational demands responsive to current threats are identified. The paper also includes some thoughts on possibilities of solving inadequacies in the development cycles, as well as related logistical apparatus, by additive manufacturing. For the sake of objectivity, the last part is dedicated to deficits of additive manufacturing, being inherent to technology or possibly to be overcome by further development of the field.

Zpátky do budoucnosti: Kontrafaktuály a scénáře v bezpečnostním výzkumu plánování

Author(s): Jan Kofroň / Language(s): Czech Issue: 3/2015

Defense planning and research has to engage with questions about future developments quite often. Solutions to these questions tend to be hazy due to (I) the missing data, or due to (II) the necessity to build long-term prognoses, which are – by their very nature – only remotely related to any current or historical empirical cases. Under these conditions counterfactuals and their specific – futureoriented – form: scenarios, offer a valuable tool. Nevertheless, counterfactuals and scenarios, due to their limited empirical embeddedness, demand explicit and rigorous application of a theory. The article highlights often overlooked resemblance of scenarios and counterfactuals and derives from this fact some methodological implications for scenario building enterprise. Beyond that, it aims at demonstrating possible contributions as well as obstacles inherent for the use of scenarios and counterfactuals in our defense policy debates.

Institutionalisation of the Analytical Support Function to Ensure Credibility of Defence Management

Canada, Norway, Sweden and NATO Case Study

Author(s): Josef Procházka / Language(s): English Issue: MC/2017

The paper outlines several recommendations for strengthening the institutional framework of the analytical support function for credible defence management. Recommendations are drawn based on the outcome of the institutional research project named Strategic Alternatives conducted by the Centre for Security and Military Strategic Studies of University of Defence (CSMSS). The multi-objective research focuses on organisational arrangement of the analytical support function within the overall ministry of defence organisational architecture of several countries (Canada, Norway, Sweden) as well as the NATO structure and management (in this case, the main focus embraces the analytical support to defence planning).

Správa státních hmotných rezerv v zrcadle bezpečnostního výzkumu

Author(s): Stanislav Kulhánek,František Ochrana / Language(s): Czech Issue: 4/2013

The control of emergency economic measures, namely state material reserves, is an important part of Czech security system. From the institutional point of view, all is run under the authority of a central institution—the Administration of State Material Reserves (ASMR). This paper deals with its role in the management of state material reserves, reflects problems and consequences resulting from the changes in security surrounding, re-evaluates opinions and views both by experts of state administrations and academic community. Those are the main key questions the study seeks an answer.

Stosunki międzynarodowe – pojęcie, zakres oraz forma z perspektywy wybranych teorii i podejść badawczych

Author(s): Beata Molo / Language(s): Polish Issue: 3/2018

The article discusses the essence of contemporary international relations based on selected definitional approaches, their expanding subject (states, other actors, including transnational ones) and object scope. In particular, the activity of transnational actors leads to the expansion of international relations, which cover more and more new fields. In addition, the study presents the main forms of rivalry, cooperation and struggle manifestation in international relations in the context of selected research theories and approaches.

Kryzys strefy euro – perspektywa multi-teore

Author(s): Tomasz Grzegorz Grosse / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 02/2019

The aim of the article is to explain the crisis of the Eurozone from the perspective of three theories in European studies: neo-functionalism, liberal intergovernmentalism and constructivism. The author makes an attempt to develop a multi-theoretical methodological approach in political science, particularly in European studies. The basic problem of European studies is that scholars usually try to describe the Eurozone crisis from the perspective of one theoretical conception, which does not explain fully the crisis phenomena. That is why the article states the hypothesis that in order to explain the crisis in its entirety it is necessary to refer to several theories at the same time. To achieve the goals of the article the author used adequate research methods: critical analysis of the sources and selected literature on the subject.

Foresight regionalny jako instrument perspektywicznego rozwoju przestrzennego

Author(s): Sławomira Hajduk / Language(s): Polish Issue: 9.2/2016

The aim of article is to verify the usefulness of the concept of foresight in creating spatial development of the territory. The theoretical part of papier includes (I) explanation regional foresight and (II) review of the definition of spatial management. In the empirical part of the article analyzed of regional plans of spatial development in terms of the foresight methods.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE ROMANIAN COSMETIC INDUSTRY

Author(s): Mirela-Codruţa Abrudan,Sabina Tatu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2019

Green has become the new black. Dealing with this idea, the trend nowadays regarding the beauty industry seems to be more and more about sustainability and corporate social responsibility policies. Lately, CSR activities are highly performed in order to create, strength and/or clean the brand image. Cosmetic companies have long received criticism for unethical and non-environmentally friendly business practices like animal testing, waste, pollution, unsustainable sourcing or toxic ingredients. Whether responsibility toward the world and sustainability has been part of the corporate DNA or not, the beauty industry is trying to demonstrate that the focus is not only on the external appearance of the consumer, on the aesthetic, but also on the ethical and moral practices. In order to differentiate themselves from the competition, companies implement CSR initiatives and strategies to create a strong and unique brand image. In this regard, the purpose of the present study was to investigate how the top three beauty companies in Romania communicate their CSR activities externally, on their corporate website, but also what impact this types of strategies have on the Romanian consumer and on their purchase decision, by the use of a qualitative content analysis and a survey. The underlying aim of this research was to investigate the most used and valued external CSR activities, so that other beauty companies can have a guideline of the most successful initiatives, but also to determine if corporate social strategies can influence the buying decision of the consumer in a positive and significant way.

Politica ştiinţei în sprijinul cercetării criminologice

Author(s): Gabriel I. Năstase / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 8/2015

This paper presents the application ways of the research & innovation strategy and the new proposed laws in the criminology research development. The actual situation is analized and it is proposed the foundation of a new institute – National Institute of Forensic Expertise and Criminology Researches.

МЕТОДИ АНАЛІТИКО-ПРОГНОСТИЧНИХ ДОСЛІДЖЕНЬ ДИПЛОМАТИЧНИХ ПРЕДСТАВНИЦТВ

Author(s): Yulia Chepelyuk / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2022

The purpose of the article is to systematize and characterize methods of information analysis and prognostic methods of political analysis, suitable for use in information and analytical activities of diplomatic missions. The research methodology is based on the use of a set of scientific methods, as well as systemic and structural-functional approaches, which allowed to comprehensively consider the methods of information analysis and prognostic methods of political analysis. The scientific novelty of the obtained results lies in the systematization and generalization of methods of analytical and prognostic research that can be used in the information and analytical activities of diplomatic missions. Conclusions. It is stated that forecasting, especially political, is a complex process, the success and accuracy of which largely depend on the set of methods used for analysis and forecasting. Forecasts are not consistent - they differ in many criteria. It is emphasized that due to a large number of influencing factors, political forecasting is carried out in the form of options, and alternatives to development, which describe the probable nature of future events, processes, and situations. It is emphasized that the longer the forecast, the greater the likelihood of failure to take into account various reasons, factors, and trends that are not included in the original data in the forecasting process. Therefore, short-term forecasts are the most accurate, so the results of political forecasting will be the most accurate. It is noted that the role of analytical and prognostic methods in the work of diplomatic missions is difficult to overestimate: after all, the analysis of facts is needed not by itself, but to make forecasts of possible events or situations and inform the government. In turn, forecasts are provided for the government to make an adequate international political decisions.

If Foreign Policy Paradigms Were on the Research Agenda…

Author(s): Liv Frank,F. Asli Ergul Jorgensen,Knud Erik Jorgensen,Laura Landorff / Language(s): English Issue: 6/2022

The aim of the article is to develop a conceptual framework for the analysis of foreign policy paradigms. In order to develop such a framework, we review the wider literature on policy paradigms and adapt it to the field of foreign relations and diplomacy. Adaptation includes the explication of key concepts, such as identity, values, goals, means and principles. Importantly, we do not only explicate key concepts, but also, subsequently, outline methodological avenues for empirical research on foreign policy paradigms. In this fashion, the article offers a conceptual framework that analysts can apply in empirical studies of both national and transnational foreign policy paradigms, including the field of EU foreign policy.

“Vision of Itself” in Foreign Policy Analysis: From the Role of Ideas to Identity and Recognition

Author(s): Stefano Guzzini / Language(s): English Issue: 6/2022

For Henry Kissinger, a stable international order is not only based on a balance of power, but also on a balance of identities, of “visions of itself ”. How do our observational theories of international relations come to understand this practical maxim? This article shows that rationalist theories, methodological underpinnings fall short of satisfactorily addressing the issue, while constructivism’s and post-structuralism’s social ontology and relational understanding of identity provide a better starting point. And yet, when we return from the level of explanatory theory back to foreign policy practice, constructivist theorizing, precisely for its focus on identity, risks of being abused for the purpose of nationalist apologies of the very kind that makes a balance of identities impossible.