Rövid leírás:

This book considers the state of Czech democracy, following the rise of authoritarian regimes in Poland and Hungary and the ascent of billionaire oligarch Andrej Babiš to the office of prime minister of the Czech Republic, leading to concerns about conflicts of interest. The authors argue that civic values, such as tolerance, respect for the equality of people, and readiness to play by the rules of the political game, are key factors in determining whether the Czech Republic will maintain its democracy in the coming years. The book employs a broad perspective, bringing together insights from political science, sociology, cultural studies, and other disciplines to analyse changes in the democracy of the Czech Republic since 1989, taking into consideration various dimensions of civic values, including politics, gender inequality, film, and the media.

Sabrina P. Ramet is Professor Emerita of Political Science at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology, Norway. 

Vladimir ?orđević is Assistant Professor in the Department of Territorial Studies of the Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies of Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic.

Christine M. Hasenstab is a retired attorney who also worked as an Adviser in the EU Grants Office at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology, Norway.

Hosszú leírás:

This book considers the state of Czech democracy, following the rise of authoritarian regimes in Poland and Hungary and the ascent of billionaire oligarch Andrej Babiš to the office of prime minister of the Czech Republic, leading to concerns about conflict of interest. The authors argue that civic values, such as tolerance, respect for the equality of people, and readiness to play by the rules of the political game, are key factors in determining whether the Czech Republic will maintain its democracy in the coming years. The book employs a broad perspective, bringing together insights from political science, sociology, cultural studies, and other disciplines to analyse changes in the democracy of the Czech Republic since 1989, taking into consideration various dimensions of civic values, including politics, gender inequality, film, and the media.

“This is a well-structured and thoroughly researched book … . The contributors, each an expert in their respective fields, bring a wealth of knowledge and a variety of perspectives that enrich the overall narrative. … Notable for its balanced approach combining empirical data with theoretical insights, it successfully bridges the gap between academic research and practical implications, making it relevant for scholars, policymakers and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of value transformation and democratic development in the Czech Republic.” (Katarzyna Dośpiał-Borysiak, Europe-Asia Studies, December 16, 2024)

“This new book is a worthy contribution to our understanding of the state of democracy in Czechia because it focuses on different yet essential issues. … it is a per­fect springboard for anyone who wants to get accurate and up-to-date information. Even a Czech Republic specialist or enthusiast will find valuable information and inspiration to ask further questions about how Czech politics is impacted by the set of values and attitudes shared by the majority of Czech citizens.” (Vít Hloušek, Czech Journal of Political Science, Issue 3, 2022)

Tartalomjegyzék:

Part 1: Values & the system.- Chapter 1. The Czech Republic:  A flawed democracy- An  introduction (Sabrina P. Ramet).- Chapter 2.  Czech Values in the Czech Republic in a European context (Petra Raudenská and Jaroslava Pospíšilová).- Chapter 3.  Czech politics at a crossroads? (Elisabeth Bakke).- Part 2: Education, Media, & Culture.- Chapter 4.  The Czech Media Landscape in the Post-Transformation Stage:  Main Trends and Problems (Jaromír Volek).- Chapter 5.  Dealing with the Past ? The History Textbook (Oldřich Tůma).- Chapter 6.  Civic Values in the Films of Jan Hřebejk and Petr Jarchovský (Herbert J. Eagle).-  Part 3: Gender And Civil Society.- Chapter 7.  The Political Participation and Representation of Czech Women since 1989 (Vladimir ?orđević).- Chapter 8. Feminism in the Czech Republic (Sharon Wolchik).- Chapter 9.  With or Without You:  Ideas of Citizenship Driving or Deactivating Participation in Czech Collective Action (Jiří Navrátil and Ondřej Císař).- Chapter 10.  Anti-Semitism in the Czech Republic (Eva Taterová).- Part 4: Conclusion.- Chapter 11.  The Importance of Civic Culture ? Conclusion (Vladimir ?orđević and Sabrina P. Ramet).