In most studies of voting behavior, political preferences are explained at the level of the “country, election, electoral cohort or individual voter” (Franklin 2004). Notably absent from these studies is the impact of voters living abroad. Their importance is not to be neglected, especially in democratizing states.

This research targets the predictions that lie behind the turnout and preferences of Romanian emigrants. Romanian Diaspora consistently votes for parties and candidates that promise reforms. This vote is associated with liberal economic policy preferences and support for minority groups. I test these hypotheses with elections results data from 2000 to 2016 coupled with data collected from Votulmeu.com an online Voting Advice Application from the 2012 parliamentary and 2014 presidential elections in Romania.

Key words:

emigrants, voting, policy preferences, Romania, Voting Advice Applications

The paper explores the dynamics of parliamentary campaigns in Europe. Results obtained in the fields of pharmacology and psychology indicate that the emotional tension among the electorate rises as the election day draws closer. Therefore, parties should adjust their campaigning strategies accordingly. I am attempting to verify whether these dynamics influence the proportion between interest and value-related appeals within party communication. Using newly collected data from the Comparative Campaign Dynamics Project, I demonstrate that there is no general tendency towards the increasing saliency of either of the dimensions. However, the relationship under scrutiny becomes strong and robust after the moderating effects of inequality have been accounted for. Most strikingly, as the election draws closer, parties tend to focus more attention on economic issues only if the country experiences high or rising rates of inequality.

Key words:

party strategy, electoral campaign, campaign dynamics, emotions in politics, inequality

This article explores President Barack Obama’s management of public opinion regarding his policy towards the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) by analyzing the content of the address delivered on 10 September 2014 concerning the US strategy to defeat ISIL. Set in the context of the Obama administration’s approach to American foreign policy and with particular reference to videos released by ISIL showing the execution of US journalists, James W. Foley and Steven Sotloff, the analysis offers insights into how external events affect presidential attention, agendas, and public opinion management.

Key words:

Barack Obama, ISIL, presidential rhetoric, public opinion, focusing event

In the article I tried to select the most important issues and events related to the Albanian minority question in Macedonia. In the very beginning I explain the origin of the name Macedonia, the location of Macedonia and roughly summarize its way to independence in the 90's. Then I elucidate where the Albanian minority in Macedonia came from and why the conflict in Tetovo broke out. At the and I try to chronologically describe the events from 2001 that had impact on today's political situation in the state with special regard to the political crisis that lasted from 2014 to the implementation of the law guaranteeing Albanian as the second official language in Macedonia.

Key words:

Macedonia, Albanian minority, identity, conflict

Since its beginning radio has also been used as an instrument of international communication. Broadcast stations sending messages abroad began to appear shortly after the first wireless transmissions were successfully performed with the use of the Morse code. The discovery of radio waves enabled sending information on long distances without wire. This invention gave the new possibilities to communicate between continents, from ships to shores and back, or between military troupes during wartime. International broadcasting was also used to communicate with allies and with enemies during military conflicts. At that time an ability to transmit voice using radio waves had already been developed, then radio transmissions entered the dimension of entertainment as well as political communication with citizens and foreigners. The international voice broadcasting service has been developed from 1927 with the purpose of keeping the citizens in touch with the mother countries and also of helping the governments to disseminate its culture throughout the world. In this context the article is an analysis of the legal basis, purposes, directions and technical aspects of broadcasting, and organisational structure of the Radio Poland (former Polish Radio External Service).

Key words:

international broadcasting, radio broadcasting, Radio Poland, Polish Radio External Service, short waves