USESED054 Local Democracy in Central Europe

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Winter 2016
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. JUDr. Igor Palúš, CSc. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Kateřina Tvrdá, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. Igor Palúš, CSc.
Institute of Central European Studies – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the subject is to provide the students with information about the character of local democracy as a constituent of principle of modern constitutionalism, with its constitutional grounds as well as its practical implementation. Gradually, the students acquire the representative form of the local democracy which is effectuated through elected representatives of municipality self-government (mayors, members of the municipal assembly). At the same time, the content of the subject will allow them to understand the implementation of direct forms of local democracy, namely local referendum, popular (local) initiative, assembly of municipal inhabitants etc. The study, in indicated direction, will be focused on characteristics of common features of local democracy in individual countries; however, it will be also aimed at clarification and explanation of specific elements of local democracy determined by historical, political and constitutional development of individual countries.
Syllabus
  • 1. Democracy as a principle of modern constitutionalism (its formulation in constitutions of Central European countries)
    2. Local democracy - general characteristics, forms
    3. Local democracy as a constituent of regional policy of European Union
    4. Representative form of local democracy in the Czech Republic
    5. Representative form of local democracy in the Slovak Republic
    6. Representative form of local democracy in Poland
    7. Representative form of local democracy in Hungary
    8. Representative form of local democracy in the Federal Republic of Germany
    9. Representative form of local democracy in Austria
    10. Direct forms of local democracy in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic
    11. Direct forms of local democracy in Poland and Hungary
    12. Direct forms of local democracy in the Federal Republic of Germany and Austria
    The seminars put emphasis on intensification of information about political environment on local level in the Central European countries. The general phenomena influencing the form of local politics, similarities and differences of political environment on local level in the Central European countries will be observed. During the semester, the students will prepare a presentation on selected topic. Except for regular reading of assigned literature, the active participation of the students in seminar discussions is expected.
Literature
    required literature
  • ČMEJREK, J., BUBENÍČEK, V. a ČOPÍK, J. Demokracie v lokálním politickém prostoru: [specifika politického života v obcích ČR]. Praha: Grada, 2010. ISBN 978-80-247-3061-5. info
  • BALÍK, S. Komunální politika: obce, aktéři a cíle místní politiky. Praha: Grada, 2009. ISBN 978-80-247-2908-4. info
  • VERHULST, J., NIJEBOER, A. Priama demokracia - fakty a argumenty k zavedeniu občianskej iniciatívy a referenda. Brusel: Democracy International, 2007. URL info
  • KOUDELKA, Z. Samospráva. Praha: Linde, 2007. ISBN 978-80-7201-665-5. info
    recommended literature
  • ŠPOK, R., ŘIHÁČKOVÁ, V., WEISS, T., BARTOVIC, V. a DROMARD, J. Místní referenda v České republice a ve vybraných zemích Evropské unie. Praha: Institut pro evropskou politiku Europeum, 2006. ISBN 80-86993-01-9. info
  • PALÚŠ, I. Miestna správa vo vybraných štátoch Európskej únie. Košice: UPJŠ, 2005. ISBN 8070974885. info
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2017, Winter 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Winter 2016, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fvp/winter2016/USESED054