Course: Analysis of Czech politics

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Course title Analysis of Czech politics
Course code KPOL/N111
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Novotný Lukáš, doc. Dr. phil. M.A.
  • Charvát Jakub, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Bláha Petr, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introduction to the study, acquaintance with the literature and requirements for completing the course. 2. Methodological framework of the study of current problems of Czech politics. 3. The Czech political system in terms of the diction of the Constitution of the Czech Republic: parliamentary or semi-presidential regime? 4. Introduction of direct election of the president and its effects on the Czech political system. 5. Justice of the parliamentary electoral system and possibilities of its reform. 6. Telecommunication as a political and social problem. 7. Betrayal of a dream? Consolidation of democracy in the Czech Republic and development after 2010. 8. The crisis of political partisanship and the rise of new parties in the Czech Republic: the rise of populism in Czech politics. 9. Technocratic governance, celebrity in politics. 10. The meaning of the Senate and the way of its establishment. 11. Czech political culture in historical perspective and in the present: from the serf orientations of the First Republic to the (non) building of civil society after 1989: the role of civil society and civic activism. 12. Transparency in politics. 13. Analysis of the course and results of the current elections. 14. Other possibilities of reform of the constitutional-political system (introduction of correspondence voting, benefits and risks of possible introduction of a referendum, constructive expression of distrust, sliding mandate, etc.).

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified
Learning outcomes
The course focuses on the academic discussion of current topics of contemporary Czech politics in the general context of the existing constitutional framework and traditions of the Czech political system, as well as taking into account the current balance of power and interests. It deals with both the most current issues of Czech politics and longer-term issues with an impact on the present and more general topics. The results of these discussions will be confronted not only with the current Czech political experience, but also with positive and negative examples from abroad. The course will begin with an explanation of the methodological framework of the analysis of Czech politics, then the legislative process in the Czech Republic will be explained on the basis of specific examples and the current problems of Czech politics will be discussed in the main part of the course.
The student is able to use professional terminology. The student distinguishes individual theoretical approaches used in contemporary study of political theory and practice. The student is familiar with the key topics of political theory and practice.
Prerequisites
None

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
To successfully complete the course, it is required: active participation in seminars (at last 75%), submission of seminar work.
Recommended literature
  • Kubát, M. Současná česká politika: Co s neefektivním režimem?. Brno, 2013. ISBN 9788087474860.
  • Maškarinec, P., Novotný, L. Strany a vládnutí v digitální éře. Praha, 2020. ISBN 978-80-200-30.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester