Term
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Definition
1949: "temporary" constitution for West Germany
Goal: stable and effective democratic system
Established parliamentary democracy
1990: East Germany incorporated into existing political, legal, and economic system including Basic Law
-avoids concentration of power in hands of one actor or institution |
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Term
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Definition
not directly elected; representatives of state governments
69 members based on state size
all members from the same state will vote the same way
can veto legislation |
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Term
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Definition
in charge of electing Chancellor
620ish members (overhang mandate)
elected every 4 years --> 5% threshold
policy influencing legislature
constructive vote of no confidence |
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Term
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Definition
Ministers responsible for different policy areas
initiate legislation for Bundestag
includes federal chancellor |
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Term
| Cabinet/Council of Ministers (Poland) |
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Definition
appointed by Prime Minister
responsible to Parliament (collectively and individually)
can be kicked out by Sejm with a majority vote |
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Term
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Definition
senior leaders in executive branch headed by Prime Minister
formulates and oversees national policy
does not reflect party make of Parliament
- composed of career administrators not party politicians |
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Term
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Definition
planned economy
allocation of resources determined by comprehensive plan of production with specific output requirements
similar to command economy |
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Term
| Challenges to German reunification |
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Definition
cost of unification strains budget and institutions
-East German economy collapses
-Infrastructure outdated
-High unemployment
-Social divide
-How to deal with the past (Stasi files) |
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Term
| Challenges to democratic transition and consolidation |
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Definition
Political:
-uncertainty
-lack of stable political system
-no effective legal system/lack of "State Control"
-too much "state control" can lead to abuse of power
Economic:
-poverty, unemployment, inequality, inflation
-lack of large middle/educated class
Social:
-cleavages (ethnic, racial, religious, etc)
-under developed democratic norms, beliefs, values
Outcome:
-nostalgia
-anti-system sentiment
-possible break down of democratic system |
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Term
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Definition
-elected by Bundestag (member of it)
-most powerful politician, chief executive
-head of government
-Angela Merkel (CDU)
-appoints ministers for Cabinet
-head of own party, directs party strategy, leads party in election |
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Term
| Christian-Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) |
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Definition
-center right
-currently in power with coalition with FDP
-Angela Merkel is party head |
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Term
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Definition
-Leader: Donald Tusk (Prime Minister)
-Moderate center right
-current government coalition with PSL |
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Term
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Definition
Pattern of executive power:
-president's party is part of the legislative minority
-more like parliamentary system with President as figurehead
-PM is effective head of government
-President checks PM's powers rather than dominating the PM |
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Term
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Definition
-seek socialist idea through violent means
-based on ideas of Karl Marx
--Socialism does not require any government at all; state "withers away"
-soviet style communism: all powerful CP rules on behalf of the workers
Historically: soviet style regimes are oppressive and dictatorial; power concentrated in hands of small party elites |
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Term
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Definition
-factors of production controlled by the state
-the state devises a detailed economic plan specifying production of each good
-the state sets value of all exchanges
-state is dominant, controls virtually all aspects of the political economy
Key Problems:
-limited incentives for productivity/innovation
-unresponsive production (consumer demand don't really matter; oversupply of some goods, shortage of others)
-over centralization and inflexibility |
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Term
| Constitutional Court (Germany) |
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Definition
-power of judicial reviews
-protects democratic constitutional order
-16 members selected by Bundestag and Bundesrat (8 each)
-12 year term
-key to checks and balances and not having power concentrated in one institution |
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Term
| Constitutional Court (Russia) |
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Definition
-most similar to US Supreme Court
-power of judicial review
-last resort "Supreme Court"
-Court avoids disagreeing with executive
-19 judges for 12-year term |
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Term
| Constitutional Tribunal (Poland) |
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Definition
-Constitutional court
-judicial review
-15 judges elected by Sejm for one 9-year term |
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Term
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Definition
-lower house in Russian legislature
-450 members; 5 year terms
-7% threshold
-proposes/approves law and Prime Minister
-can remove PM with vote of no confidence |
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Term
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Definition
Proportional Representation encourages multiparty system
--> Germany and Poland |
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Term
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Definition
Plurality and majority electoral systems lead to two-party systems
-only the two strongest parties have a chance of winning
-given that fact, voters do no want to "waste" their votes on small parties that have no chance of winning a plurality of votes |
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Term
| European Union's role in democratic consolidation process in East-Central Europe |
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Definition
o Prospect of EU membership = huge incentive
• 1996: 70% of Poland’s trade with EU member states, especially with Germany
• First year after accession of Poland to EU: 30% exports growth total, 27% to EU countries
• Access to market of almost 500 million consumers
• Membership means having a say in EU decision-making
Symbolizes "return to the west" |
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Term
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Definition
-means of dispersing power
-16 Länder share power with federal government
-federal government: responsible for most areas
-Important state powers (education, culture, law enforcement)
-some shared responsibilities but federal law is superior |
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Term
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Definition
basically removed by Putin:
-regional governors now presidential appointees instead of being elected
-regions have very little power to govern |
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Term
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Definition
-Russia's upper house
-166 members, 2 from each federal region
-Senators chosen by territorial authorities (one by provincial legislature, one nominated by governor and confirmed by legislature)
-can be recalled at any time by regional government
-cannot propose legislation; only pass or veto it
-if veto: conciliation committee from both chambers to find compromise |
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Term
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Definition
-libertarian
-has historically held the balance between the SPD and CDU
-currently coalition government with CDU |
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Term
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Definition
-people from Turkey would come to Germany to work but not citizens.
-eventually they all became citizens creating societal cleavages between German and Turk population |
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Term
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Definition
-"We can't go on living like this!"
-Perestroika (restructuring)
-Glasnot (openness)
-basically began the end of communist Russia |
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Term
| Grand Coalition (Germany) |
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Definition
any governing coalition with CDU AND SPD that is formed
the two major parties in Germany form coalition basically |
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Term
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Definition
"Openness"
-some brutality of previous regimes acknowledged
-criticism or corruption and stagnation under Brezhnev
-New period of détente between East and West
-meant to support policy of Perestroika
-initiated by Gorbachev |
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Term
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Definition
-new party in 1980s
-developed from fringe party into federal government party
-usually only win a few seats in Bundestag |
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Term
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Definition
| current president of Poland |
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Term
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Definition
-Private actors control their own factors, state excluded
-the market sets the value based on equilibrium of supply and demand ("the invisible hand")
-distribution of good based on actions of consumers and producers
-state role is minimal: enforces basic "social contract" to protect all from violence or law breakers
-Antitrust laws enforced
-UK and other former colonies (US, Australia, etc)
Key Problems: Resource inequality, economic hardship, production for profit not need, severe swings between busts and booms |
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Term
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Definition
Leader: J. Kaczynski
-Center right/conservative
-opposition/minority party |
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Term
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Definition
-consists of successor party of ruling party in East Germany plust disgruntled former Social Democrats
-off spin of communist party
-particularly strong in East Germany |
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Term
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Definition
-took power in Russia after Bolshevik Revolution in November 1917
-oppressive totalitarian regime
-communist dictatorship |
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Term
| Majority/Plurality Electoral Systems |
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Definition
-winner takes all/first past the post
-single member plurality system
--one representative per district; win by plurality
-encourage a two party system |
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Term
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Definition
-process that enables the state-owned enterprises to act like market-oriented firms
- achieved through reduction of state subsidies, deregulation, organizational restructuring, decentralization and in some cases privatization
-will lead to a functioning market system |
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Term
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Definition
-current President of Russia
-switch off with Putin between PM and President
-United Russia |
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Term
| "Loans for Shares" privatization program |
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Definition
| -small group of entrepreneurs persuades government to auction off control of state owned companies in return for loans -if government fails to repay loans within 1 year: shares go to banks that made the loans -In Russia, govt defaulted on loans -allows oligarchs to acquire ownership of some of Russia's largest and most valuable companies (oil, electric) |
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Term
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Definition
-current Chancellor of Germany
-CDU party leader |
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Term
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Definition
-private actors and state each control some factors
-the market sets value of goods but the state may regulate some prices
-the state seeks to strik ea balance between competition and state control / private profit and a sharing of societal resources
-Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, France
Key Problems: problems less severe that in other systems
-norm in today's world |
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Term
| Mixed Member Proportional Electoral System |
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Definition
- half elected with single member plurality system
-half elected by proportional representation
Pros: split ballot, minority parties get seats, fewer wasted votes
Cons: overhang mandate, some radical parties, complexity that some might not understand |
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Term
| Occupation of Germany (post WWII) |
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Definition
-4 sectors
-France, US, UK have western Germany = democracy = Federal Republic of Germany
-Russia occupies East = communist = German Democratic Republic
-Formally ends in 1949 |
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Term
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Definition
-members of the elite who basically run the country
-Russia |
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Term
| Pacted Transition (Poland) |
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Definition
-ensured gradual change from Communism state to democratic
-CP guaranteed 65% of seats for first election
-Solidarity won all of the contested seats
-No negative campaigning to take place against communists
-CP guaranteed presidency |
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Term
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Definition
"Restructuring"
-economic, political, and social restructuring
-less centralization
-limited private ownership
-new freedoms of assembly, speech, religion
-Gorbachev wanted to change system, not destroy it
-undermined not only USSR's authoritarian structures, but also familiar sense of order and predictability |
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Term
| Poland's 1989 Parliamentary Election |
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Definition
"Pacted Transition"
-35% of seats contested
-65% of seats saved for communist politicians
-no negative campaigning against CP
-agreement that all subsequent elections would be fully contested
-Solidarity wins all contested seats |
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Term
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Definition
-ceremonial position
-signs some laws and treaties
-elected by special federal convention of upper and lower house every 5 years
-above party politics
-can dissolve parliament in very rare cases
-Christian Wulff |
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Term
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Definition
-Komorowski
-directly elected (majority)
-2 term limit of 5 years each
-initiate legislation
-veto
-refer bills to Constitutional Tribunal
-represent Poland in foreign policy |
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Term
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Definition
-Medvedev
-directly elected by the people
-2 consecutive terms of 6 years, but no life limit
-commander in chief
-foreign affairs
-agenda setter
-propose laws
-power to dissolve Parliament |
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Term
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Definition
President's party is part of legislative majority
-much like a traditional presidential system
-president can pick politically compatible PM
-president dominates executive branch
-PM serves at president's pleasure |
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Term
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Definition
-Putin
-appointed by President and approved by Duma
-in power as longa s he has confidence of Parliament
-domestic policy |
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Term
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Definition
-Donald Tusk
-nominated by President
-confidence of legislature
-more important post in executive branch
-domestic policy |
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Term
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Definition
-process of transferring ownership of businesses from the state to private actors
-becoming a mixed market economy
-Russia did this and oligarchs took over |
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Term
| Proportional Representation System |
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Definition
-% of votes for a party = # of seats in legislature
-no districts
-candidates from party list (open or closed)
Pros:
-more competition/choices
-more parties represented
-push for compromise
-no wasted votes (more turnout)
Cons:
-less efficient
-instability
-no one to represent your specific district interests
-politicians less accountable |
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Term
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Definition
-controls Russia
-currently PM but will be President in 2012
-United Russia
-restore Russia as major world power
molds state structure to favor his power
-basically unchallenged due to political dominance and public approval (70%) |
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Term
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Definition
-lower house in Poland legislature
-most legislation drawn up by executive; they jsut pas it
-override Senate by simple majority
-override Presidential veto by 3/5th majority
-can kick out cabinet (majority) and impeach president (2/3rd majority)
-460 members
-4 year terms; elections are open list PR in multi seat districts
-5% threshold |
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Term
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Definition
-upper house
-100 members
-elections every 4 years by plurality vote
-can veto legislation |
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Term
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Definition
• Rapid implementation of reforms to establish free market economy, especially
o Sudden release of price and currency controls
o Privatization
o Withdrawal of state subsidies
o Trade liberalization
• Foremost proponent of this concept: Jeffrey Sachs (Columbia University)
• Attractive to transition government because of its simplicity:
o “Get prices right” and everything else will fall into place
• Antithesis to gradualist approaches, which emphasize:
o Transition takes time
• Firms must be formed and built up; human capital must adjust; property rights must be implemented
o No established, stable framework of law, regulation and established practice to rely on, difficult to establish
• Evaluation:
o Some maintain: record is negative
• Example: high unemployment rates, increased crime, increased inequality
o Others argue: effects have been positive
• Growth rates are high, they are catching up to western countries
o Third position:
• Theory was inadequately applied, hence the problems we see |
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Term
| Social Democratic Party of Germany |
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Definition
-current opposition party
-center left |
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Term
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Definition
Premise: capitalism places excessive power in hands of few private entrepreneurs
free-enterprise systems should be abolished
instead: control over factories, farms, banks, stores, etc in the hands of "the people" |
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Term
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Definition
Emphasis: collective welfare of society
-favors personal freedoms and private enterprise
Goals:
-minimum level of economic welfare for all
-improve general welfare
-Broad role for the government
-market regulation to provide education, health care, employment, insurance, pensions, etc |
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Term
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Definition
-led by Lech Walesa (becomes de facto leader of anti-communist movement)
-10 million national movement
-economic and political demands
-martial law imposed and "Solidarity" declared illegal |
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Term
| State Intervention in the Economy |
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Definition
Extraction:
-the exraction of resources from domestic and international environments
-Taxes to pay for government services and redistribution and as economic policy tool
Distribution:
-of money, goods, and services
-possible objectives: efficiency, equality
Regulation:
-regulation of "the market" to achieve certain goals
--For businesses: property rights; contractual obligations; response to violations; subsidies
--For employees: protection against exploitation; safety standards
--For consumers: protection against fraud, manipulations, externalities |
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Term
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Definition
-current Prime Minister of Poland
-leader of Civic Platform |
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Term
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Definition
-only real party in Russia
-Putin's party
-controls everything |
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Term
| Vanguard of the Proletariat |
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Definition
the communist party
(during bolshevik revolution) |
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Term
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Definition
-leader of the Solidarity movement
-eventually became President |
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Term
| Weaknesses of Weimar Republic |
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Definition
-Pure proportional representation
-Far right and left don't accept legitimacy of democratic system, seek to undermine it
-Conservative, monarchist elites never held responsible even strengthened
-WWI defeat fuels nationalism; Versailles Treaty and "stab-in-the-back legend"
-Economic crises: especially Hyperinflation (26 billion %) |
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Term
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Definition
| -current President of Germany |
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Term
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Definition
-first President of Russian Federation
-calls for Western-style democracy and market reform in Russia |
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Term
| Dictatorship of the Proletariat |
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Definition
-the Marxist idea that the working class will have political control
-Bolsheviks (Lenin) |
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Term
| Is the concentration of power in Putin's hands constitutional and/or democratic? |
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Definition
Constitutional:
-yes, he has been following the law of the land.
-when his term limit was up as President, he didn't try to override the constitution... instead just was appointed PM
Democratic:
-most likely not... he doesn't allow for federalism at all and has taken away many of the powers of the state
-has had opposition killed to silence them
-basically doesn't allow for people to disapprove of him |
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Term
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Definition
-policy from Stalin in Russia
-replace independent/peasant farms into collective farms
-goal was to increase food supply |
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Term
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Definition
-the concept that history matters
- that predictable amplifications of small differences are a disproportionate cause of later circumstances |
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Term
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Definition
-main economic model in West Germany following WWII
-a middle path between socialism and laissez-faire economic liberalism
-establish fair competition, maintaining a balance between a high rate of economic growth, low inflation, low levels of unemployment, good working conditions, social welfare, and public services through state intervention |
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Term
| Strains of Social Market Economy |
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Definition
-funding healthcare, pensions, etc for everyone
-hard to find perfect balance between socialism and laissez-faire |
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Term
| Key Factors to Determine the Number of Parties in a Country |
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Definition
they type of electoral system greatly affects the number of parties
-PR brings about a multi party system
-Majority/Plurality brings about a 2 party system |
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Term
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Definition
-a system of government in which a president and a prime minister are both active participants in the day-to-day administration of the state
- differs from a parliamentary republic in that it has a popularly elected head of state who is more than a purely ceremonial figurehead, and from the presidential system in that the cabinet, although named by the president, is responsible to the legislature, which may force the cabinet to resign through a motion of no confidence. |
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Term
| Dictatorship of the Proletariat |
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Definition
-the Marxist idea that the working class will have political control
-Bolsheviks (Lenin) |
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Term
| Is the concentration of power in Putin's hands constitutional and/or democratic? |
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Definition
Constitutional:
-yes, he has been following the law of the land.
-when his term limit was up as President, he didn't try to override the constitution... instead just was appointed PM
Democratic:
-most likely not... he doesn't allow for federalism at all and has taken away many of the powers of the state
-has had opposition killed to silence them
-basically doesn't allow for people to disapprove of him |
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Term
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Definition
-policy from Stalin in Russia
-replace independent/peasant farms into collective farms
-goal was to increase food supply |
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Term
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Definition
-the concept that history matters
- that predictable amplifications of small differences are a disproportionate cause of later circumstances |
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Term
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Definition
-main economic model in West Germany following WWII
-a middle path between socialism and laissez-faire economic liberalism
-establish fair competition, maintaining a balance between a high rate of economic growth, low inflation, low levels of unemployment, good working conditions, social welfare, and public services through state intervention |
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Term
| Strains of Social Market Economy |
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Definition
-funding healthcare, pensions, etc for everyone
-hard to find perfect balance between socialism and laissez-faire |
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Term
| Key Factors to Determine the Number of Parties in a Country |
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Definition
they type of electoral system greatly affects the number of parties
-PR brings about a multi party system -Majority/Plurality brings about a 2 party system
Societal Cleavages: more cleavages = more parties |
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Term
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Definition
-a system of government in which a president and a prime minister are both active participants in the day-to-day administration of the state
- differs from a parliamentary republic in that it has a popularly elected head of state who is more than a purely ceremonial figurehead, and from the presidential system in that the cabinet, although named by the president, is responsible to the legislature, which may force the cabinet to resign through a motion of no confidence. |
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