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Review of Semester 2. European Issues States France Spain Germany Territorial politics sub-state issues European Union. General Issues Federalism Elections, parties and electoral systems The media Civil society. Issues Covered. States - France.
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European Issues States France Spain Germany Territorial politics sub-state issues European Union General Issues Federalism Elections, parties and electoral systems The media Civil society Issues Covered
States - France • Old state - classic unitary ‘nation-state’? • Republicanism - default system • 5th Republic - response to instability? • Strong centre - étatisme and dirigisme • Executive(s) • Weak parliament? • Political parties - left-right split, but system fragmentation
States - Germany • Old nation - new state • Regime instability and authoritarianism to stable democratic state • Post-war Germany and reunification • Federalism • Heads of state and government • Executive and legislature • Political parties • consensual and co-operative politics
States - Spain • Old state - many nations • Regime instability and authoritarianism to stable democratic state • Constitution - asymmetrically devolved • Executive and legislature • Centre-regions tension
Comparing States • How can we compare states? • What are the differences between our 3 case studies? • Historical context • Constitution / type of state • Political system • Executive • Legislature • Parties and elections
Regions in Europe • Challenges to the Nation-State • Regionalisation and Regionalism • Stateless Nations • Case studies (F, D, E, UK) • A Europe of the Regions? • Multi-level Governance - is there a regional level of EU governance?
The European Union • Why integration? • Historical development • Complex and evolving political system • Policy-making • Future • Nature of the EU • federal superstate? • intergovernmental organisation? • or something else?
Federalism • definitions • prerequisites • balancing centripetal and centrifugal forces • advantages and disadvantages • different ‘federalisms’ • asymmetric, quasi- federalism • devolution
Political Parties and Elections • Political parties and interest groups • history • functions of political parties • different systems (1st, 2nd and 3rd Worlds) • Elections - why have them? • Different systems
The Media • Definitions • The media and political communication • Communication models • Factors affecting the media • Using the media • Impact (Information? Or agenda-setting ? Or determinant of public opinion?) • The future
Civil Society • Definitions • History • Traditions and different interpretations • Civil society in western and non-western societies • Civil society and democratisation