Czech Democracy in Crisis

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. Chapter 1. The Puzzling Crisis of Democratisation in the Czech Republic. Towards More Case Knowledge and a Broader Perspective in Comparative Politics

   Astrid Lorenz

   Abstract

   Based on empirical data, this chapter first describes Czechia’s change from a poster child to a problem child. This came as a surprise for most scholars and makes Czechia an important test case for the usefulness of social-science theories and methods. The second part surveys scholarly literature regarding Czechia. It shows that many problems are far from new, while their interpretation has changed from de-emphasising them as transitional deficits to building a new crisis narrative. It discusses the reasons for this change and specifies the need for further research.

3. Chapter 2. Democracy, Policy-Making and Policy Performance in the Czech Republic in the Light of International Democracy and Governance Indices

   Frank Bönker

   Abstract

   This chapter provides a systematic overview of Czechia’s rating in major democracy indices (e.g. Polity Index, Freedom House Index, Sustainable Governance Indicators, EIU Democracy Index, V-Dem). While its quality of democracy scores mostly high (despite deficits in media freedom, party financing and fighting corruption), the assessments of governance are worse (especially due to deficits in strategic planning, inter-ministerial coordination, implementation of government programmes and monitoring). The performance of Czech politics in most policy fields is also moderate. As the various democracy indices arrive at quite different assessments, they should be used carefully.

4. Chapter 3. Swerving Towards Deconsolidation? Democratic Consolidation and Civil Society in the Czech Republic

   Petra Guasti

   Abstract

   This chapter takes a deeper look at the consolidation of democracy in the Czech Republic and contrasts the picture of Czech Republic as a poster child for economic transition in the early 1990s with the decreasing quality of the Czech democracy in recent years. This paradox, it argues, makes the Czech Republic a compelling case for democratisation research. The term “swerving towards consolidation” is advocated. There are no attempts to renegotiate the rules of the democratic game, even though the political system has become polarised, governance has become more difficult and new actors have emerged. At the same time, civic engagement is growing. The findings show that democratic consolidation is not a linear process. Instead, the quality of democracy is dynamic—reacting to domestic and external factors. A more nuanced approach is needed in order to understand the dynamics of democratic consolidation in Central and Eastern Europe.

5. Chapter 4. Small and Fragmented: Civil Society in the Czech Republic in the Antagonism Between Liberal and State-Centric Ideas

   Stephanie Weiss

   Abstract

   This chapter explores what came out of the broad mobilisation for democracy and active civil society after 1989. It depicts a differentiated and ramified network of organised civil society (particularly in the environmental and social spheres), although the political setting has not always been conducive. Unions and umbrella associations of the non-governmental sector enjoy privileged participation in some public policy areas. A characteristic pattern is the protest against mainstream political parties—or the search for alternatives to them—by way of various forms and organisations of civil society that despite formally rejecting established structures may well seek political posts. Although there exist numerous civic organisations with a rather strong influence, overall participation remains low.

6. Chapter 5. Permanent Campaigning and Pitfalls of Proportional Representation with Fragile Parties. Elections and Party System in Czechia

   Stanislav Balík, Vít Hloušek

   Abstract

   This chapter shows that under the conditions of fragile parties, proportional representation makes it easier to enter the parliament but more difficult to form and sustain governments. Czech parties are still not consolidated. Although people have the chance to take part in frequent elections for different constitutional bodies, the linkages between voters and their representatives remain loose and characterised by distrust. The party system was marked by extreme and polarised pluralism; only from 1996/1998 until 2010/2013 was it a limited pluralism with bipolar functionality. However, its features do not adequately fit into the concepts of comparative party studies. The party competition includes a recent struggle over the interpretation of the past as well as the socioeconomic cleavage structure. In addition, a new occurrence involves the rise of business parties that break boundaries between economic and political interests.

7. Chapter 6. Power Structure in Motion? Parliament, Government and the President in the Czech Republic

   Lukáš Novotný

   Abstract

   By asking whether the direct presidential election makes a difference to a parliamentary democracy, this chapter compares the Czech political practice before and after the first direct presidential election in 2013. It is shown that Czech presidents actively intervene in day-to-day politics, and despite their formal representative function have tended to interpret their competences rather extensively under the conditions of fragile parliament majorities and unstable governments. The direct presidential election effectively led to a power shift in favour of the presidency. The upper parliament chamber fulfils an important moderating and controlling function despite its relative institutional weakness. This chapter makes clear that besides remarkable effects of constitutional engineering, context has a great relevance for the functioning of institutions.

8. Chapter 7. Activist Constitutional Court as Utility Tool for Correcting Politics. Structure, Composition and Case-law

   Ivo Pospíšil

   Abstract

   This chapter reveals that the new Czech constitutional court is endowed with strong powers and has influenced the political system substantially. Examples of influential decisions refer to the transformation, politics in general and the constitutional limits of the Czech accession to the European Union. It is assumed that the court’s role and activities were influenced through its personnel who were more proactive in the first years after its establishment. Although its case-law was criticised by politicians, its corrective functions and decision-making are largely respected. Thus far, the Czech constitutional court has evolved into “a safe island in the stormy Central European sea”.

9. Chapter 8. Advantages and Problems of a Liberal Democratic Media Model. Media and Politics in the Czech Republic

   Jan Jirák, Barbara Köpplová

   Abstract

   The Czech media system followed a liberal-democratic model after 1989. Economisation of the media began in the transformation phase, accompanied by a great influx of western capital. Boulevard media and the mentality of economic survival emerged. The relatively stable media landscape of the post-transformation phase faced enhanced political influence. A fundamental shift began in 2008 when media ownership changed dramatically. Their concentration in a few companies stimulated a public debate on the limits of editorial independence, the role of media and the relationship between owners and journalism.

10. Chapter 9. Foreign, Security and Defence Policy: Europeanized at the Bottom, Neglected at the Top

    Tomáš Weiss

    Abstract

    This chapter reviews the main characteristics of—and milestones for—the Czech foreign, security and defence policy since 1993. The Czech foreign and security policy is a relatively stable and Europeanised endeavour. It is firmly embedded in the European institutions, but is dependent on a very immature political debate. While foreign and security policy considerations guided Czech politics in the beginning, they have moved from the foreground as of late and have given way to domestic issues. The foreign policy ended with the accession to NATO and the EU for the Czech public debate, and there is insufficient understanding of external relations among the politicians. Czech political parties, as a result, lack expertise on foreign policy. Domestic considerations trump foreign policy thinking and Czech behaviour on the international scene is often trapped by domestic politicking. The resulting incoherent policy does not provide Czechs with much leverage in European negotiations, which in turn feeds the populist and isolationist voices at home.

11. Chapter 10. Economic and Social Policy in the Czech Republic as a Response to Economic Crises and Growth

    Antonín Slaný, Hana Lipovská

    Abstract

    This chapter analyses the interplay between Czech economy and economic policy. It focuses on economic development, fiscal and social policy (especially relating to the financial crisis), the central bank’s role as well as stances towards euro. The Czech economy is characterised by low unemployment. The missing cooperation between the national bank and government proves to be problematic. Also, the adoption or rejection of the euro continues to be the key question, together with the need to reconcile social interests of an aging population with rising demands for social transfers. According to the authors, Czech economic policy succeeded in preserving social stability and managing the transformation of the centrally planned economy towards a European market economy.

12. Chapter 11. A Product of Europeanisation or of National Handwriting? The Formation and Development of the Czech Migration Policy

    Paula Beger

    Abstract

    This chapter explores the extent to which external factors, policy measures of the Czech ministry of interior and domestic political actors influenced the emergence of migration policy as a new policy field. It inspects whether or not EU incentives for adaptation and compliance disappeared after the EU accession. It finds that the adoption of the EU legal framework impacted on national policy-making but was too general to serve as a policy template. Similarly, the impact of domestic political factors was limited due to government instability. A stronger programmatic focus has only developed since 2011. Czech migration policy was politicised during the European refugee crisis 2015/16 which expedited its emergence as an autonomous policy field.

13. Chapter 12. Czech Regional Policy. Trapped in the Mode of Centralisation

    Hana Formánková

    Abstract

    This chapter analyses how regionalisation has developed as a consequence of EU conditionality in Czechia. Applying two models of hierarchical and cooperative governance, it shows that the Czech central government acted cooperatively only to a limited extent. Therefore, the access to structural funds was not followed by clear regionalisation. The EU induced cooperative forms of regional policy, but they were not developed systematically. The decentralisation was also inconsequential, as the regions’ financial autonomy remains limited. Hence, the Czech regions seek to use EU structural funds to compensate for their financial weakness. The limited performance of regional institutions boosted tendencies towards re-centralisation.

14. Backmatter