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Swiss semi-direct democracy: a model for imitation?
Klobouček, Eduard ; Novák, Miroslav (advisor) ; Charvát, Jan (referee)
Main aim of this bachelor thesis is to describe Swiss semi-direct political system. Thesis proceeds from general topics - what are the differences between direct and representative democracy, what is semi-direct democracy and what the typical instruments of direct democracy are. It also describes the Swiss political system, which is currently the only functioning system that can be described as semi-direct democracy. The work deals with the functioning of the highest authorities, the Swiss party system and federalism and how the individual institutes and institutions influence elements of direct democracy. The core of the paper is focused on the functioning of the semi-direct democracy in Switzerland at federal, cantonal and local level. Thesis describes the evolution of Swiss semi-direct democracy and how it is regulated nowadays. The work also incorporates some statistical data about participation of Swiss citizens, usage of individual instruments and also describes conditions which are necessary for acceptance decisions through direct democracy process. Thesis also contains comparison with other countries, the European Union and the Czech Republic and gives some conclusions on the applicability of Swiss system of semi-direct democracy abroad.
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Comparison of selected aspects of political culture between the Czech Republic and Germany
Gawrecká, Daniela ; Buriánek, Jiří (advisor) ; Šubrt, Jiří (referee)
This thesis deals with the comparison of selected topics from the political climate among students from both Germany and the Czech Republic. For this purpose, a survey of 108 Czech students from Charles University in Prague and 102 German students from the University Bremen was collected and the results were analysed. The research dealt with the claims rate of electoral and non-electoral participation, party preferences, whether left-right scale or support a particular party, the level of discussions about politics and watching political news, patriotism and attitude to European integration, civil society and direct democracy. The aim of the research is also a measure of political alienation and disgust with politics, media and confidence in the effectiveness of the state apparatus and not least the degree of knowledge about politics between Czech and German respondents. Each orientation is watched primarily by nationality of respondent, also according to gender in the whole group and in some cases also between the Czech and especially among German respondents. Where it was relevant, were also compared by field of study respondents. Most respondents from both countries have clearly defined links to the political system and its place in it, which showed such a high level of electoral participation,...
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European Referendums and the Kingdom of Sweden
Pártlová, Andrea ; Kasáková, Zuzana (advisor) ; Miklošová, Kateřina (referee)
Bachelor thesis "European Referendums and the Kingdom of Sweden" deals with the specific relationship of Sweden towards the process of the European integration. Time frame extends from the second half of the 20th century until 2009. I aim to name the values recognized as traditional by the Swedish society and to depict the changes they went through during the post cold war period. Through the analysis of historical, social and political factors that influenced the results of both European referendums that took place in Sweden in this dynamic period I get to answers to the following questions: whether the Swedish society is persuaded that the membership of its country in the European Union is advantageous for it and what is the reason for its ambivalent view of the EU.
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Local referendum in the Czech Republic
Svobodová, Pavla ; Jüptner, Petr (advisor) ; Just, Petr (referee)
The diploma paper represents a contribution to the research of direct democracy in the Czech Republic, specifically it deals with the most used form of direct citizen participation in governance, local referendum. The paper is mainly empirical - it shows an experience of ten European countries with local referendum as well as the legislative framework and the definition of this instrument in the Czech Republic. The centre point of the whole thesis lies in the real practice and the experience of Czech municipalities with local direct democracy. The data used in this paper come up from research which aimed to collect information on all local referendums in the Czech Republic since 1990. Although this aim has not been fully accomplished, the data allow to study the practice of Czech local referendums. Local referendums are divided into several groups (categories of territorial changes, the environment, issues of internal governance of the municipality and others) within which are further analysed. The aim of the paper is to verify the hypothesis that seeks a relationship among the size of the municipality, subject of voting, quorum and voter turnout. The paper also focuses on the factors that have got fundamental impact on the final result of referendum.
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The Conception of constitutional referendum in selected countries of the European Union
Radicsová, Alena ; Kuba, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Lechner, Tomáš (referee)
The main topic of my dissertation is a referendum as an instrument of direct democracy. Czech Republic is one of the latest country to have joined the European Union, whose constitutional system does not have modification of a nationwide referendum. The aim of this work was to evaluate the approach and the content of government's draft of the constitutional law for the nationwide referendum presented as a Parliamentary Document No. 559, in comparison with its regulation in selected European countries. The author establishes several basic criteria which are mainly concluded through analysis and comparison. The results indicate we cannot expect any significant step forward in terms of civil participation and qualitative democratic progress in proposals describe above.
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Immigration as a factor endangering the bilateral relations between the EU and Switzerland
Jakšová, Karolína ; Jiránková, Martina (advisor) ; Němcová, Ingeborg (referee)
This thesis deals with the theme of bilateral relations between the EU and Switzerland, focusing on the current phenomenon of migration. The EU and Switzerland cooperate on bilateral sectoral basis, since Switzerland (hence the citizens of Switzerland) does not want to integrate into the European internal market to maintain its sovereignty and autonomy. Within the first series of bilateral agreements between the EU and Switzerland an agreement on free movement of persons was signed, thereby Switzerland opened its labour market to EU citizens. In February 2014, however, the citizens of Switzerland used the institution of direct democracy and adopted by a narrow majority the initiative to stop mass immigration. This step disrupted the agreement on free movement of persons and the complex negotiations started in order to solve this impasse. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the impacts of immigration on the Swiss economy and the subsequent evaluation of the reasonableness to mitigate the immigration through a citizens' initiative.
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THE STATUS OF MUNICIPALITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN SWITZERLAND
BĚLOHLAVOVÁ, Šárka
The aim of the Bachelor thesis is to introduce the system of organization of the public administration in the Swiss Confederation. The paper focuses on the status of the municipalities within the system of the public administration in Switzerland, rights, the position and the role of the lowest territorially administrative units in the Swiss administrative system. It is necessary to cover the influence of the direct democracy on decision making at the communal level, as well as the specific aspects of the powerful status of the Swiss municipalities. The mentioned topic has not yet been treated in the Czech language. It will be created an own Czech-German terminology and also because of this reason the municipalities in the German speaking cantons will be emphasised.
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Political system of the Swiss Confederation
JENÍKOVÁ, Barbora
The bachelor thesis deals with the polical system of the Swiss Confederation. The work is divided into 9 parts. The aim of the bachelor thesis is a description and analysis of the political system of Switzerland with a focus on individual issues (federalism, multiculturalism, neutrality, protection of minority rights and the implementation of direct democracy). The work describes the separation of powers within the state with all Swiss specifics, including the "Zauberformel" rule. The work also presents the party and electoral system of the country; the position of Switzerland on the issue of European integration as well as the membership of Switzerland in international organizations.
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Modelling of decision-making networks
Šilar, Pavel ; Burian, Jan (advisor) ; Šalamon, Tomáš (referee)
Delegative democracy is a new concept of democratic governance. It is meant as a new system of trust among people. It is derived from principles of direct democracy and presents only minimal form of representation. The voter is not forced to cast his vote directly, but it can be transferred to a delegate. Delegative democracy is based on openness, awareness and trust. It is still only a concept and for real application it has to face rising critics. Main issues are high costs, threat of populism and corruption and overall complexity. Agent-based modelling is chosen to test the validity of delelagative democracy principles. It is suitable for studying social phenomena such as democratic governance. Agent-based models apply a "new kind" of artificial intelligence -- a dynamic system composed of individual and autonomous units -- agents -- which interact within the environment. Universal methodology called Agentology is used to propose a new agent-based model. This methodology is composed of subsequent steps. These steps cover initial analysis, conceptual and technological proposal and development of the model itself. Assessment of delegative democracy principles is achieved with data acquired from the agent-based model. Delegative democracy is less effective for small and cooperative system than direct democracy. If more voters are delegating, this effectiveness decreases even more. This conclusion is based on initial parameters of the model. Delegating voters count is indeed a relevant parameter whereas total voters count is not. The model has its basic predicative value and is open to further elaboration.
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Current Switzerland-EU relationship, reasons for non-accession
Bautina, Olga ; Dubský, Zbyněk (advisor) ; Havlová, Radka (referee)
Switzerland, a country in the heart of Europe, has been already sixty years keeping away from the complete European integration. So far this European country par excellence has not entered into the European Union and in the near future will not consider the full membership in this organization. This thesis tries to perform a complex analysis of Switzerland-EU relations, from both historical and contemporary perspectives. It deals with the possible scenarios of the Switzerland's European policy development in the near future and regards the possibility of EU membership as currently unacceptable. In this context, the author examines the reasons of the country's non-accession to the EU, starting with most obvious ones (political, economic) and ending with the least palpable ones, which are, nevertheless, the most entrenched in the minds of Swiss citizens (socio-psychological reasons).
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