Z przyjemnością przekazujemy w ręce Czytelnika piętnasty tom wydawnictwa ciągłego „Studia Politicae Universitatis Silesiensis”, ukazującego się z inicjatywy Instytutu Nauk Politycznych i Dziennikarstwa Uniwersytetu Śląskiego. Autorami większości zamieszczonych w nim artykułów są uczestnicy IV Zjazdu Katedr i Zakładów Systemów Politycznych, który odbył się w dniach 12—14 maja 2015 roku w Wiśle-Jaworniku. Tematyka Zjazdu skoncentrowana była na badaniach dotyczących specyfiki partii politycznych, dlatego teksty, które znalazły się w niniejszym tomie, są powiązane z tą problematyką. W niniejszym zbiorze znalazło się dwanaście artykułów, które pomieszczono w dwóch działach: „Partie i systemy partyjne”, „Wybory i kampanie wyborcze”. Całość uzupełniają dwie recenzje, poświęcone publikacjom, które ukazały się na krajowym i zagranicznym rynku wydawniczym.

Abstract: The regional and local party in light of the definition of a political party

The author proposes a new concept of a political party, one which takes into account modern political groups active in local and regional communities. The stipulated definition is: a political party is a mass, distinct and formalized social group, which articulates group interests, acts based on a political program cohesive with social ideas, and achieves its aims in the execution of public authority by utilizing vertical central and territorial state institutions or relatively autonomous structures (territorial self-government, territorial autonomy, federal units). There is no need to create a separate definition of a regional and local party thanks to the proposed concept. The author does not share the position that a regional party is an ethnoregionalist party. It is submitted, that the political sciences understanding of a political party should differ from the legal view, and should not emphasize its legal status, but its functions and social roles. In this view, even trade unions, associations and even formalized groups of voters can be considered „parties”, if they actively and directly utilize public authority to achieve their group interests in the event of their election.

Key words: regional party, local party, regional and local political party systems, decentralization

Abstract: Czech and Hungarian Right: ODS and Fidesz in the party systems. An attempt of qualitative and quantitative analysis

The analysis of article touches the strength and position that characterize the dominant rightist parties in the Czech Republic (ODS) and Hungary (Fidesz). There are three parts in the narrative structure of the article. The first one is connected with qualitative side of the process of birth, development and contemporary situation of ODS and Fidesz. The second one refers the two parties to their native systems of parties. The third one takes quantitative analysis of the two parties’ influence on public life: index of party participation in governments, index of governmental responsibility of a party and index of electoral support measured during parliamentary elections (takes into account a position of a party inside a family of conservative and Christian‑democratic parties as well). The role of ODS and Fidesz in the party systems of the Czech Republic and Hungary comes from the party strategic behaviour and programs and from the surrounding environment (other parties, institutions etc.). These factors are complementary and influence high position of Fidesz and low of ODS nowadays.

Key words: Czech Republic, Hungary, political parties, ODS, Fidesz

Abstract: Republicans and Democrats on the process of judicalization of American politics.

 Analysis from the perspective of legalization of same‑sex marriages In June 2015 the Supreme Court issued a decision legalizing same‑sex marriages in the United States. The problem of LGBT rights has become one of the major ideological clashes between the Republicans and Democrats, who present opposite approaches towards the scope of the constitutional right to privacy. The Obergefell v. Hogdes precedent raises again the question of judicialization of American politics, the process which can be observed since the 1950s, and which becomes an apparent result of American courts’ impact on important social and political relations. The article analyzes the arguments raised in political discussion over the issue of judicialization of politics from the perspective of the evolution of LGBT rights in the United States.

Key words: legalization of same‑sex marriages, LGBT rights, American courts’ impact, judicalization of American politics

Abstract: The role of political parties in redefinition of the ratio of representative

The main theme of this article is the role of political parties in the system of representation of interests that are expressed at the national forum of political representation, which is the parliament. The said system originated without political parties, which were to emerge and show their political weightiness later on, to nowadays become an indispensable element of the political process. The latter involves both election and ruling, but also voicing of the interests, opinions, demands, and expectations of the electorate. Parties, mostly viewed critically today, at the dawn of the representative system were perceived radically different, that is, as a remedy to the aches of the said system, capable of eradicating the corruption. They were also compounded with the free (representative) mandate, which was to be another antidote to corruption as well as other pathological phenomena. It was believed that the formula where a deputy represents the general interests of the electorate is the most consistent with the form of political party. Therefore parties were designed as clearly additional and auxiliary element. Slowly but surely, however, they gained autonomy, attaining their separate and independent significance to the degree where they, as it is claimed contemporarily, reshaped the formula of the mandate, turning it form individual to collective, with political parties themselves as its owners that have become the primary subjects and agents; first of all, of the political competition, then, of the parliamentary political games. All in all, political parties seen through a prism of representation, are a kind of pendentive thereof.

Key words: political party, representation, deputy, election, parliament, representative mandate

Abstract: The process of „oligarchization” of the party system of Ukraine

In this article the author try to analyze the process of growing into financial‑industrial groups in Ukraine’s political parties. She seeks to ascertain its causes and consequences. Analyzes the initial time of systemic transformations in Ukraine. Special attention is given to the time presidency of Leonid Kuchma (1994—2005), because he was the chief architect of the oligarchy of the economy and the political system of Ukraine.

Key words: oligarchization, economy system, political system, systemic transformations, party system

Abstrakt: Genesis and institutionalisation of Canarian Coalition

This article presents the origin and institutionalisation of Canarian Coalition (sp. Coalición Canaria, CC), which emerged in Spanish party system in 1993. Since then it has ruled the regional government of Canary Islands autonomous community. The author attempts to reach causes of creation of this non‑state‑wide party and draw the process of its organizational and political program consolidation and explain the phenomena of its electoral and parliamentary stability.

Key words: regional government, autonomous community, institutionalisation, electoral and parliamentary stability

Abstract: Polish political parties to religion and the Church. The proposal of typology

This article aims to analyze the positions of Polish political parties and parliamentary groups in the years 1991—2011 to religion and the Catholic Church. First they analyzed the views of various political parties, referring to the program assumptions. In the article, the following groups of political parties: the social democratic, liberal, Christian Democrat, conservative, folk, independence, national and lots of custom. This was followed by a typology of parliamentary parties and groups according to the criterion of relations to religion and the Church.

Key words: political parties, religion, Church, relations of Church and political parties

Abstract: Political elite of League of Polish Families (2001—2007)

The article analyzes political elites of League of Polish Families (LPR). The main target is demonstration, that real power in the party had group of people concentrated around Roman Giertych, chairman of Congress of LPR and president of party, descending from environment of All‑Polish Youth. That group achieved high position in the party, could subordinate executive powers and convert them on tool of realisation its interests. The effect that activity was lack of internal democracy in LPR and deprivation of executive powers real power for the few decision circle

Key words: political elite, executive powers, tool of realisation of interests

Abstract: Multi‑terms mayors can be defeated. Observations after the 2014 local government elections

From 2002 the mayors of towns in Poland are elected in direct elections every 4 years. In 30 towns with county rights the same persons were chosen in the years 2002—2010. They are so called “everlasting mayors” (multi‑term mayors, incumbents). Before 2014 local elections three of them resigned from the election campaign for re‑election and ten “everlasting mayors” lost the elections. Therefore in thirteen towns with county rights the residents chose new mayors. On the basis of these cases the consideration of some thesis were done. First — the defeated incumbent supported by political parties usually loses elections with nonpartisan candidate; second — the defeated nonpartisan incumbent loses elections with partisan rival.

Abstract: Free election broadcasts on public radio as a communication tool of polish political parties in election campaigns

The purpose of the present paper is to show how the Polish political parties utilize free election broadcasts in the process of political communication during election campaigns. The research material was free election broadcasts aired on the Lublin Radio S.A. [PLC] during election campaigns in Poland between 2011 and 2014, the research method being content analysis and comparative analysis. The article explains the legal aspect of free election broadcasts, presents the ways of using the broadcast time by the authorized election committees as part of free election broadcasts, discusses the errors committed by election committees when preparing auditory election spots, and it shows what should be changed so that political parties could communicate more effectively with their voters through free election broadcasts on public radio.

Key words: free election broadcasts, process of political communication, election campaigns, election spots

Abstract: The political image of Andrzej Duda in the presidential election campaign of Law and Justice in 2015

Since 2005, in Poland we are progressive and coexisting two key processes for development and evaluation of political campaigns. The first is the americanization of the campaigns, and other activities professionalization staffs. It seems that without the use of techniques characterized for political marketing would not be possible for the second time in Poland after 1989 change after the first term of office of the President. First departure Polish policy of Donald Tusk and the choice of an unknown politician — Andrzej Duda on the President, in fact, a political era ends and exhausts ruling so far Civic Platform effective strategy to scare of Jarosław Kaczyński. Secondly, the results of these elections mean consent youngest voters “change” on “anti‑system slogans” and finally as it seems, this means the announcement of acceptance for the appearance of a new political force in Poland.

Abstract: The origin and evolution of electoral legislation in Republic of Estonia after 1991

Estonia is one of the few countries of the former communist bloc, which before the formal obtaining independence, started discussion about the reform of electoral law. As a result of compromise of the main political forces, it was decided to adopt a complex, three — tier proportional electoral system. The main aim of this article is examine the numerous changes made to Estonian electoral law between 1992 and 2015. For over 20 years, can be seen three main directions of changes in the electoral law: striving to reduce electoral actors and candidates taking part in elections, increasing the number of seats distributed at the district level and increasing voter turnout.

Key words: electoral legislation, reform of electoral law, reduction of electoral actors and candidates number, increasing the number of seats

Nowa książka Nicka Dyer‑Witheforda, profesora nadzwyczajnego Wydziału Badania Informacji i Mediów Uniwersytetu Western Ontario, należy niewątpliwie do tego drugiego nurtu. Jest to Autora powrót po latach do krytycznej analizy nowej rzeczywistości, jaką naszkicował u schyłku XX wieku w pracy Cyber‑Marx: Cycles and Circuits of Struggle in High Technology Capitalism (1999), opublikowanej w kontekście rodzących się wówczas pierwszych systemowych ruchów antyglobalistycznych. Recenzowana praca zawiera próbę charakterystyki i wyjaśnienia skomplikowanej sytuacji, która ujawniła się szczególnie intensywnie w kontekście głębokiego kryzysu ekonomicznego lat 2008—2009. Przyniósł on nasilenie się konfliktów we wszystkich sferach życia społecznego i w różnych rejonach świata, wskazując wyraźnie, jak daleko utopijna jest wizja końca wieku ideologii budowana na optymistycznej ocenie ładu zbudowanego na zasadach liberalnej demokracji.

Praca pt. Regionalne elity polityczne w kraju morawsko‑śląskim i województwie śląskim w latach 2000—2012 autorstwa Lukáša Vomleli oraz Petra Huška (napisana przy współpracy Petra Hlaváčka, Dušana Janáka, Martina Stanoeva — pracowników Centrum Badań Empirycznych, Wydziału Polityk Publicznych, Uniwersytetu Śląskiego w Opawie), jest wynikiem projektu badawczego realizowanego w ramach programu mikroprojektów Euroregionu Silesia. Analiza ta wpisuje się w transgraniczną współpracę terytorialną w wymiarze naukowym i jest jedną z pierwszych podejmowanych na Śląsku w tak zdefiniowanym obszarze badawczym. Jest to ważna publikacja, której Autorzy koncentrują się na analizie ewolucji regionalnych elit politycznych w perspektywie porównawczej (pomiędzy regionem morawsko‑śląskim a województwem śląskim). Stanowi więc ona znaczący wkład w lepsze zrozumienie procesów politycznych zachodzących na poziomie regionalnym (i ich interakcji z poziomem centralnym) w dwóch krajach środkowo‑europejskich, ponad dwie dekady po 1989 roku, jak również po dokonanych — zarówno w Polsce, jak i w Czechach — reformach administracyjnych.