Suchergebnisse

Examines the evolution in the 1990s, using the results of three general elections to the House of Representatives (Lower House) in 1990, 1993, and 1996; some focus on independent (no-party) voters, voters' disillusionment with government, partisan dealignment, and political corruption.

Abstract: Democratic consolidation is the most important task to be accomplished by countries newly democratized over the last two decades. However, most new democracies with only a few exceptions have difficulties to various degrees in consolidating democracy. The primary aim of this paper is to get a clearer idea of the difficulties which new democracies are now facing by examining patterns and contributing factors of electoral volatility in four new democracies, that is, three East European countries (Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland) and one East Asian country (South Korea). The level of electoral volatility in terms of vote and seat share in these countries is extremely high. Regarding future prospects for democratic consolidation, however, a more important conclusion is that each country has a quite different combination of factors contributing to electoral volatility, implying that prospects for democratic consolidation might also differ, depending on these characteristics.

According to the author, elite recruitment is a fundamental function of every political system, perhaps the one which most visibly touches on the critical issue of system legitimacy. The processes and results of elite recruitment in unified Korea will be a crucial factor in deciding the legitimacy and stability of the new, unified political system. After dealing with the processes of post-unification elite recruitment, he (the author) explores new channels of elite recruitment to rectify the socio-economically biased elite structure of the pre-unification period. (DÜI-Sen)

"Based on theories discussion, policy analysis, and case studies, this title examines green consumption in China from both the macro level of policy evolution and the micro level of community participation and implementation. Drawing on the theories of sustainable development, ecological philosophy, environmental economics, consumer psychology and behavior, and community participation, this book approaches the issues of green consumption in China from the legislative and administrative aspects and economic and information means. In looking into the cases of Shenzhen and Beijing, the book unravels the implementation and development of green consumption at the community level in terms of community participation and people's awareness of the issue. Combining global experiences and local empirical studies, it discusses the concepts, evolution and influencing factors of green consumption. It focuses on China's policy and practice, as well as the institutional hindrance and policy suggestions for further progress. This book will appeal to researchers, professionals, and policymakers interested in sustainable development, green economy, environmental economics, and sustainable consumption policy in China"--