Central and Eastern European Political Systems

Syllabus for academic year 2010/2011

Lecturer:
PhDr. Martin Ehl, Ph.D.
email: ehl@mup.cz

Office hours: Friday, 9,50 – 10,45; Dubečská building, room no. 315

Lectures and seminars:

Thursday 18:20 – 19:50, Dubečská, room 307 (3IRES_2)
Friday 08:20 – 09:50, Dubečská, room 206 (3IRES_1)

Course description and goals:

The course is designed to provide students a basic knowledge of political systems of Central
and East European countries within comparative perspective. Main task is to analyse and
describe recent political development in comparative approach rather than country-by-country
approach. Stress will be put on postcommunist development and perspective for the future
rather than deep historical excursions. We will analyse geopolitical situation of the region,
political institutions, political parties, electoral systems and differencies between institutional
frameworks and real political life (for details, look at Brief course overview). Students are
required to follow current political development in the countries of Central and Eastern
Europe in the media to be able to discuss practical examples of topics analysed during the
course. Class participation is expected as part of the final exam. First part of class is designed
as lecture, second as seminar where students are expected to participate in discussions, to
analyse required reading, theoretical questions as well as actual development in the region.

Assessment and requirements:

Participation in lectures 10%
Written essay 40%
Final exam 50%

Participation: Students must be prepared to discuss issues on the basis of required reading for
each of lectures and should follow actual political development (look at suggested list of
media and internet sources). Required reading might be updated no later than at the first
lecture.

Essay: 5 – 7 pages (one page = 1800 signs); topics chosen by individual students from the list
of essay topics (part of syllabus). One topic might be chosen by up to three students only,
selection must be approved by lecturer no later then Nov 18 (via email, during office hours or
before or after lectures), essays due no later than Jan 15 (via email or in paper form). Essay
must fulfill criteria for an academical work (proper sourcing, clear structure). Only essays
with approved topic will be accepted. Written essay delivered according to above mentioned
instructions is the condition for having possibility to take a final exam.
Final exam: Questions and answers (5 to 10) based on content of lectures and required reading
answered in limited time (dates will be announced, within examination period).

Students with an individual study plan (approved by the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs in
compliance with MUP Study and Examination Code) shall contact the teacher no later than by
18 November to discuss the details of their study plan, otherwise they shall not be allowed to
take the exam.

Brief course overview

(1): An introduction. Discussion over syllabus, course overview. Discussion about media in
the Central and Eastern Europe as sources for analytical work: where to take information from
and how reliable is it?
Reading:
Transitions Online, The Prague Post, The Budapest Times, Moscow Times, The Economist,
Financial Times, The Analyst, Politics in Central Europe, Central European Political Studies
Review and other media and internet sources

(2): Year 2010 as milestone for political systems in Central and Eastern Europe.
Discussing postelectoral situation in Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, Poland and
consequencies of economic crisis and its impact on political development.
Reading:
- Reports on actual development in different media (see Suggested media and internet
sources)
- Tupy, M. L.: Is Liberalism Dead in Central Europe? In: Reason Magazine, Vol. 38, no. 8 (1.
1. 2007)
- Ostrovsky, A.: Reversal Of Fortune, in: Foreign Policy, No. 171, (03-01-2009)
- Gira, V. S.: Who will determine further scenarios of Russia's political and economic
development? In: Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review, Vol. 21 (2008-21) - www.lfpr.lt

(3)What is Central Europe and what is Eastern Europe. Geopolitical perspective of the region.
Reading:
- Glassner, M. I.: Political Geography (sec. ed.), John Wiley and Sons: 1996, chapt. 9: Core
Areas and Capitals, pp. 104 – 114, (or same chapter in different editions of book)
- Asmus, R.: Europe's Eastern Promise ; Rethinking NATO and EU Enlargement, in: Foreign
Affairs, vol. 87, issue: 1 (January 2008)
- Fritz, V.: New Divisions in Europe? East - East divergence and the influence of European
Union enlargement, in: Journal of International Relations and Development, 2005, no. 8
- Ash, T.G.: History of the Present, Vintage: 2001, chapter: Where is Central Europe Now?
- Larrabee, F. S.: Dange and Opportunity in Eastern Europe, in: Foreign Affairs, Vol. 85,
Issue: 6 (January 2006)

(4): Year of 1989 twenty years after: what happened – was it revolution, transition or simple
change of ruling and economical elite?
Reading:
- Pridham, G.: Assessing Democratic Consolidation in Central and Eastern Europe: The
European Dimension, in: Acta Politica, 2006, 41 (pp 342 – 369)
- Zweynert, J., Goldschmidt, N.: The Two Transitions in Central and Eastern Europe as
-Processes of Institutional Transplantation, in: Journal of Economic Issues, Vol. XL, no. 4,
December 2006
- Kurczewski, J., Kurczewska, J.: A self-governing society twenty years after: Democracy and
the third sector in Poland, in: Social Research, 01-01-2001 (Winter 2001)

(5): USSR vs. Central Europe: reflection of Soviet interventions, legacy of communist
regimes and communist heirs in present politics.
Screening of the part of documentary film THE SOVIET STORY followed by discussion
Reading:
- Lucas, E.: The New Cold War, Bloomsbury: 2008, chapter: The „New Tsarism“: What
Makes Russia’s Leaders Tick, pp.: 133 - 167
- Ishiyama, J. T.: Political Performance, Electoral Rules and the Rhetorical Strategies of the
Communist Successor Parties in Post Communist Eastern European Politics, in: Acta Politica,
2004, 39, pp. 179 – 202
- Applebaum, A.: The Fate of Individual Liberty in Post-Communist Europe, in: The
American Spectator, Vol. 41, no. 3 (April 2008)

(6): Democracy building 1: How to build a party on a green field and how to govern without
ideology. Ideologies and party systems at times of transformation. From ideology to political
technocracy: to what politicians believe?
Reading:
- Krastev, I.: The Strange Death of Liberal Consensus, in: Journal of Democracy, Vol. 18, No.
4, October 2007 pp.: 56 – 63
- Tóka, G., Henjak, A.: Party Systems and Voting Behaviour in the Visegrad Countries 15
Years After the Transition, in: Šaradín, Bradová (see Required reading)
- Kopeček, L.: Institutionalization of Slovak Political Parties and Charismatic Leaders, in:
Central European Political Studies Review, winter 2004
- Egedy, G.: Political Conservatism in Post-Communist Hungary, in: Problems of Post-
Communism, vol. 56, no. 3, May/June 2009, pp. 42–53
- Jasiewicz, K.: The Political-Party Landscape, in: Journal of Democracy, Vol. 18, No. 4,
October 2007

(7): Democracy building 2: Presidents vs. parliaments. Constitutitional systems: newborns

and relicts from the past.
Reading:
- Priban, J.: Reconstituting Paradise Lost: Temporality, Civility, and Ethnicity in Post-
Communist Constitution-Making, in: Law & Society Review, Vol. 38, No. 3 (09-01-2004)
- Krouwel, A.: Measuring presidentialism and parliamentarism: An Application to Central and
East European Countries, in: Acta Politica, 2003, 38, pp. 333–364
- Stoner-Weiss, K.: Russia: Authoritarianism withour Authority, in: Journal of Democracy,
Vol. 17, No. 1 (1. 1. 2006)

(8): Democracy building 3: Electoral systems: Search for perfect MP and search for proper
voters.
Reading:
- Outlý, J.: Voting Systems of the Visegrad Countries, in: Šaradín, Bradová (see Required
reading)
- Kubát, M.: Electoral Reforms in Poland after 1991 and Their Political Consequences, in:
Politics in Central Europe, Vol. 2, No. 1 (June 2006), pp.: 41 – 62
- Hutcheson, D. A., Korosteleva, E. A.: Patterns of Participation in Post-Soviet Politics, in:
Comparative European Politics, 2006, 4, pp.: 23–46
- Letki, N.: Socialization for Participation? Trust, Membership, and Democratization in East-
Central Europe, in: Political Research Quarterly, Vol. 57, no. 4 (12-01-2004)

(9): Visegrad model 1: Together but alone: comparation of key developments in Czechia and
Slovakia
Reading:
- Gabal, I.: The 2006 Parliamentary Elelctions in Czech Republic: Continuity and Change, in:
Bútora (see Required reading)
- Szomolányi, S.: The 2006 Parliamentary Elections and the Stability of Democracy in
Slovakia, in: Bútora (see Required reading)
- Harris, E.: Europeanization of Slovakia, in: Comparative European Politics, 2004, 2, pp.
185–211
- Rhodes, M.: National identity and minority rights in the constitutions of the Czech Republic
and Slovakia, in: East European Quarterly, 09-22-1995
- Ulc, O.: Czechoslovakia's velvet divorce. (formal dissolution into Czech and Slovak states in
1992), in: East European Quarterly, 09-22-1996
- Rybář, M,: Conditions and Limits of Programmatic Party Competition in Slovakia, in:
Politics in Central Europe, Vol. 2, No. 1 (June 2006), pp.: 84 - 98

(10): Visegrad model 2: Two liberal (fairy) tales: comparation of key developments in Poland
and Hungary
Reading:
- Shields, S.: Historicizing Transition: The Polish Political Economy in a Period of Global
Structural Change — Eastern Central Europe’s Passive Revolution?, in: International Politics,
2006, 43, pp. 474–499
- Pokol, B.: Separation of powers and parliamentarism in Hungary, in: East European
Quarterly, Vol. 37, no. 1(04-01-2003)
- Kucharczyk, J., Fomina, J.: Poland after the 2005 Elections: Domestic Discontent or EU
Backlash?, in: Bútora (see Required reading)
- Kéri L.: Hungary after the 2006 Elections: Still Waiting for a Solution?, in: Bútora (see
Required reading)

(11): Baltic model: Quick success and deep fall? Comparation of key developments in
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Reading:
- Blank, S.: Russia, NATO enlargement and the Baltic states, in: World Affairs, 1. 1. 1998
- Ishiyama, J. T.: Representational mechanisms and ethnopolitics: evidence from transitional
democracies in Eastern Europe, in: East European Quarterly, 06-01-1999
- Ciziunas, P.: Russia and the Baltic States: Is Russian Imperialism Dead?, in: Comparative
Strategy, 27 (287 – 307), 2008
- Charles, A.: The Electronic State: Estonia's New Media Revolution, in: Journal of
Contemporary European Research, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 97 – 113, 2009

(12): From USSR to Russia and back: key developments in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus
Reading:
- Kernen, B.: Putin and the Parliamentary Elections in Russia: The Confluence (slijanie) of
Russian Political Culture and Leadership, in: East European Quarterly, Vol. 38, no. 1 (04-01-
2004)
- Blank, S.: Is Russia a Democracy and Does it Matter? In: World Affairs, Vol. 167, No. 3
(01-01-2005)
- Illarionov, A.: The siloviki in charge, in: Journal of Democracy Volume 20, Number 2 April
2009
- Karatnycky, A.: Ukraine's Orange Revolution, in: Foreign Affairs, Vol. 84, issue 2 (03-01-
2005)
- Silitski, V.: Preempting democracy: The Case of Belarus, in: Journal of Democracy, Vol. 16,
No. 4, October 2005

(13): Populism, nationalism and other –isms as tools in contemporary politics. Case study of
Slovak-Hungarian relations. Raise of extremists and right-wing parties.
Reading:
- Rupnik, J.: From Democracy Fatigue to Populist Backlash, in: Journal of Democracy, Vol.
18, No. 4, October 2007
- Lang, K.-O.: Populism in „Old“ and „New“ Europe: Trends and Implications, in: Bútora
(see Required reading)
- Dočekalová, P.: Radical Right-Wing Parties in Central Europe: Mutual Contacts and
Cooperation, in: Politics in Central Europe, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Winter 2006/7), pp. 7-23

Course readings

Required:
Bútora, M., Gyárfášová, O., Mesežnikov, G., Skladony, T.W., (eds): Democracy and
Populism in Central Europe: The Visegrad Elections and Their Aftermath, Institute for Public
Affairs, Bratislava: 2007

Lucas, E.: The New Cold War: How the Kremlin Menaces both Russia and the West,
Bloomsbury, 2008

Šaradín, P., Bradová, E. (eds): Visegrad Votes. Parliamentary Elections 2005 – 2006, Palacký
University, Olomouc: 2007

Garton Ash, T.: History of the Present: Essays, Sketches and Dispatches from Europe in the
1990s, Penguin Books, 1999

Journal of Democracy, October 2007, vol. 18, No. 4 (texts on topic „Is East-Central Europe
Backsliding?“)

Journal of Democracy, April 2009, vol. 20, no. 2 (texts on topic „Reading Russia“)

Reader of Central and Eastern European Political Systems – paper copy in MUP library,
electronic copy to be available (includes articles not accesible via MUP library databases or
not free of charge on internet)

Suggested books:
Rupnik, J.: The Other Europe, London: 1988

Večerník, J., Matějů, P.: Ten Years of Rebuilding Capitalism: Czech society after 1989
(Zpráva o vývoji české společnosti 1989-98), Academia, Prague, 1999
Suggested media and internet sources:
Transitions Online - www.tol.cz
The Economist - www.economist.com
Financial Times – ft.com
The Baltic News - www.baltictimes.com
The Budapest Times - www.budapesttimes.hu
The Prague Post - www.praguepost.com
CIA World Factbook - www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
Central European Political Studies Review - www.cepsr.com
Freedom House – www.freedomhouse.org
The Warsaw Voice - www.warsawvoice.pl
Moscow Times - www.themoscowtimes.com
BBC News – news.bbc.co.uk
Visegrad Group - www.visegradgroup.eu

Essay topics for academic year of 2010/11 – Winter semester

1 – Populism as political tool for right wing parties in Hungary

2 – The role and development of political opposition in Russia after year of 2000
3 – Is Belarussia heading from authoritarianism to democracy? Changes in 2009 and 2010
4 – Development of Ukrainian political system from Orange revolution to elections of 2010
5 – Impact of economic crisis on political stability in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania
6 – The role of ethnic minorities in development of political systems in Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania after 1991
7 – Political right in Poland after 2001: main trends, main parties and main personalities
8 – Demise of the political left in Poland and Hungary after 2004: what are key similiarities
9 – Differencies of electoral systems of Czech Republic and Slovakia after 1993
10 – The role of ethnic minorities in development of political systems in Slovakia and
Hungary
11 – Social democratic parties in Visegrad four countries: comparation of roots, ideology and
leadership
12 – Liberal parties in Visegrad four countries: comparation of roots, ideology and leadership
13 – What is political conservatism in Visegrad four countries?
14 – The year of 1989 in Central Europe twenty years after: where young people get
information about this period. Do you know from your high school enough?
15 – The year of 1991 in former USSR: where young people get information about this
period. Do you know from your high school enough?
16 – Geopolitical perspective of Central and Eastern Europe: comparation of the views from
Moscow and Warsaw (alt. Prague or Budapest)
17 – Official and unofficial powers of Russian prime minister in Russian political system
18 – The role of „oligarchs“ in Ukrainian political system
19 – Nationalism in Slovak politics
20 – Comparation of the role of president in the political systems of Czech Republic and
Poland

Syllabus Central and Eastern European Political Systems

© Copyright Martin Ehl