Europe by Michail Oustamanolakis

A GUIDE AND A VIEW TO EUROPEAN POLITICS BY MICHAIL OUSTAMANOLAKIS

Europe is so well gardened that it resembles a work of art, a scientific theory, a metaphysical system. Man has re-created Europe in his own image. Aldous Huxley (1864-1963)

SANDBERG INSTITUUT AMSTERDAM DESIGN DEPARTMENT 2010

This book is one of the graduation projects of Michail Oustamanolakis who studied in the Design Department of the Sandberg Instituut Amsterdam during the academic years of 20082010.

All the referenced data published in this book have been accessed from the public domain unless the author or other source is indicated. The main data source has been Wikipedia.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;As soon as liberty is complete it dies in anarchyâ&#x20AC;? Will durant (1885-1981)

9 May 2010 Day of Europe Amsterdam, 17 July 2010 Michail Oustamanolakis

This book presents information about the political systems of all European Union member states. My motivation for making this book was based on the question: why do we still have monarchies in Europe? This was the starting point for performing research on European political systems by country. The research evolved into examining what parties are being represented in parliaments, and how they are visually presented through graphics (such as logos). This book is the outcome of this research. Governmental formations are being shown as they were on 9th of May 2010, the Day of Europe. Since the writing of this text, some governments have expired (including the Dutch government) but the point of this book is not to keep an up-to-date account of the European political landscape. Instead, it is meant to capture an image of politics in a moment in which Europe is celebrating, itself, and then to raise questions.

Europe Day is the annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organized Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. This proposal, known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Schuman declarationâ&#x20AC;?, is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union. Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another. Source: European Union <europa.eu/abc/symbols/9-may/index_ en.html>

INTRODUCTION

Amsterdam, 17 July 2010 Michail Oustamanolakis

The European Union is an economic entity that seemingly unites a broad landscape of individual countries under common ideas such as freedom, equality, peace, stability, and economic development. On the contrary, the “united” countries are very diverse and each one unique. Each country has its own political system, based mostly on the individual history of each state. The cultural and political differences inside the union outweigh the similarities. We can try to compare the politics of the countries with charts, bars, numbers, records and other values, but is such a method of comparison valid? No matter the case, this publication provides a view of the political landscape of Europe’s countries in the form of info-graphics that can be read individually (by country) or by comparing different countries with each other. With this publication, a momentary snapshot of European politics (as of the “Day of Europe,” 9th May 2010) is captured next to the static, institutionalized state. New layers of observing European politics emerge, allowing us to pose questions.

For example, are the countries with the most politicians the most democratic? What does it mean to have a high or low citizen-to-politician ratio? What are the political differences in terms of ideological composition, between the newly formed Eastern European countries and the oldest monarchies of Europe? (Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK) Additionally, color spectrums of each European government as well as a collection of logos of current governing parties are on display. The color spectrums derive from the colors that the parties have chosen to represent themselves. This collection of visual information provides a different point of view about politics, and it is displayed next to textual and numerical information, creating an overview of the political system. This helps to create an impression of the political atmosphere in each country. Observing European politics, but not European Union politics, allows us a to have a deeper view on the EU member states.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK

Pages 11-24 STATEMENT

Pages 24-171 CONTENT

Pages 172-179 STATEMENT

Article -Do we need to talk about parties, or about the system of governance itself ?

Static Politics -European Union -Birth year of the European States -Birth year of political parties

Article -Greek Freedom as understood by Michail Oustamanolakis

Momentary Politics -Elections timeline -Heads of States -Heads of Governments -Ideologies on the 1st chamber -Ideologies in the 2nd chamber -Parties in total by country Country Profiles -Austria, -Belgium, -Bulgaria, -Cyprus, -Czech Republic, -Denmark, -Estonia, -Finland -France, -Germany, -Greece, -Hungary, -Ireland, -Italy, -Latvia, -Lithuania, -Luxembourg, -Malta, -Netherlands, -Poland, -Portugal, -Romania, -Slovakia, -Slovenia, -Spain, -Sweden- -United Kingdom

The book can be divided into two sections, Statements and Content. The statements are two articles written by Michal Oustamanolakis and edited by Chris Lee, and the content is information about European politics.

The book starts with the article “Talking about politics: Do we need to talk about parties, or about the system of governance itself ?” This article starts by arguing that the current systems of governance are not really democratic, as citizens are only really involved in decisionmaking once every some years, and ends with acknowledging the need for a discussion about the political systems which govern us. The second article, at the end of the book, provides Michail Oustamanolakis’ view of what “Freedom” Greek citizens enjoy, arguing why politics is an important topic. The Content, placed between the Statements, contains political information about European countries. The Content is divided into three sections: static politics, momentary politics, and country profiles. Static politics refers to information which is static and does not change with elections. For example, the birth year of the political parties.

Momentary politics refers to information about political parties which have been captured at the moment in which Europe is celebrating itself, May 9th, 2010. In the “country profiles” you can view the localized politics of each country, and observe the different political landscapes in their entirety. A color spectrum shows the number of members of the parties that were governing as of May 9th, 2010. The colors are based on the ones that the parties have chosen for their visual identity. Additionally, logos of parties as well as ideological orientations are listed. By viewing the logos of the parties one can get a sense of the visual aspect of the political visual. Anthems and/or mottos of each country are listed as well. Each motto or anthem poetically represents the general motivation or intention of each country. Besides the numerical and the visual comparison between the countries, there is also a poetic comparison.

COLORS

Color is very important in this book, since each country is represented with the national colors and each party has its own color or set of colors. All colors that have been used in this book are shown in the facing page.

Black

Dark Blue

Blue

Light Blue

Red

Maroon

Magenta

Purple

Pink

Yellow

Gold

Orange

Green

Gray

White

Non-Color

ARTICLE Do we need to talk about parties, or about the system of governance itself ?

by Michail Oustamanolakis in Amsterdam on 17 June 2010

In principle, I support anarchy. In practice I support direct democracy. I support the idea that each individual is solely responsible for the self, and therefore he/she should automatically have the right of a sovereign authority. I also believe that no one should have to report to anyone about anything, or to have to suppress the self, as long as others do not get harmed or offended from the beliefs/choices of the one. I believe in the freedom of individualism, and I do not believe that a democracy which “creates” (or allows the creation) of a lower class is fair. Instead, I believe that a democracy which supports the weaker can potentially be a good system. In some Nordic countries (such as Finland, in which I lived for almost 2 years) they have a model of democracy which seems to provide social benefits to the weakest, even to the ones would not be able to afford them. Such democracies seem to be fair enough, however I do acknowledge the fact that even in the Nordic countries there are several flaws, and much room for improvement.

I address myself as an anarchist, and a supporter of anarchism, but I feel the need to qualify that anarchy isn’t about violence or destruction of public property. Errico Malatesta (1853-1932) starts his article “Anarchism and Violence” with the phrase: “Anarchy means no violence.” I always emphasize that I do not support anarchy in the sense that there should be a status in which there is constant conflict and terror amongst individuals, nor the idea of changing the establishment with violence (even though, in many cases it may seem like a “one way road”). Instead I support the idea of the absolute freedom in creativity, in expression, and in the stimulus of the passion of the individual, the only restriction being that others will not be harmed. Ideally, I support a direct democracy, in which sovereignty belongs to all citizens (who choose to participate). However, I acknowledge that this form of anarchism can potentially be dangerous. Such anarchism is not one that I aim for. Additionally, I am aware of the fact that there is no perfect system of governance, but it is our task and our responsibility as human beings to continuously develop and improve our living standards, including our political processes.

Elections

First Governments

In every election, the idea is always the same. Citizens are free to choose the representatives that they believe reflect their opinion the most. The idea is that citizens are the ones to decide what is good for them. However this seems to be a false interpretation. Even though ones vote does count, statistically speaking, it is not of that particular significance within a pool of millions of votes. The influence of and individual vote is extremely small.

Humankind, before the invention of governments, was in a “state of nature.” —Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679).

Many times, this type of indirect governance does not respond effectively to localized problems. Many people around the world claim to know better about what to do with their problems than what their government claim they can do for them. In a way, even though citizens vote, they are excluded from decisions that have to do with them. Participating in elections and voting, is an affirmation of this form of governance. It means that one approves of the rules which have been set up by others. Alternatively understood, voting may be an act of self-preservation. One might choose the ruler who may be the least repressive of their needs and desires. I believe however, that this does not represent an ideal form of democracy. Often, the candidates provide the voters with promises that they cannot deliver. The candidates make voters believe that the next time, the situation will improve. In this case, governance is based on lies, and it is obvious that such a form of governance is not interested in serving the general public. And the story goes on, and on. This is not a new phenomenon.

According to Hobbes, before the formation of governments, life was sustained according to the needs and passions of individuals. With no government to settle disputes between individuals, each person acted as a sovereign authority, answering only to the self. Life was then characterized as a state of incessant conflict of every man against every man. The violence and uncertainty of life in this “state of nature” is what compelled people to form the first governments. (Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan 1651). The desire for peace and stability was so profound that the people would naturally seek out a “sovereign” or ruler to whom they could transfer their own sovereignty. Hobbes believed that in return, the ruler would provide peace and stability. People would then be free to pursue happiness without constant fear for their lives or their properties and possessions. John Locke (1632-1704) argued that even though this “state of nature” might be considered a “state of war,” it could as easily be characterized by peace, goodwill, mutual assistance and preservation. While agreeing that individuals in a “state of nature” would naturally come to form a government, Locke argued that the contract people entered into with each other and the leaders was not perma-

nent, because the people did not unconditionally surrender their sovereignty to their leaders. Rather, Locke argued that “individuals would grant authority to a government so long as it provided for the common good, and protection from the dangers of the state of nature”. ( John Locke, The Second Treatise of Civil Government, 1690). Locke agreed with Hobbes that government was necessary to save humankind from a “state of nature,” but not simply because this “state of nature” was a dangerous place to be. According to Locke, government was necessary as a form of protection of citizen’s rights and liberties. Because people were the source of the first governments, people remained the source of governmental power, even after the government was established. There was an active notion of a “popular sovereignty” at work, which is the basis of democracy.

Democracy The first governments were small city-states or villages with a single ruler. Ancient Greece comprised of dozens of small city states. The best known example is the city state of Athens, the place where democracy was first developed. However, ancient Greek democracy was not really democratic in the proper sense. The idea then was very similar to today’s democracies. In theory, anyone could be elected, but in practice, only those who had the means to be

convincing to others were elected. In ancient times one had to know how to use language (to have the so-called “technique”) in order to make great speeches in public. To learn how to use this language, one must attend a specialized university, to learn the Attic dialect as well as rhetoric. The Attic dialect was a more or less artificial form of the ancient Greek language. It was an elite construct, designed to serve the linguistic needs of the upper class. To learn it, one had to be educated. Poor families could not provide their children with such opportunities. Today the means by which one can be elected are publicity and/or money. If one has publicity, one can be elected. If a candidate is not well-known however, having money to invest in a public image can help to get one elected. The problems with this system have been obvious since ancient times. Individuals who were great poets but terrible politicians, became leaders. Today, we have great actors, singers and pop stars, who are politicians just because they had good publicity. We also have politicians who act or operate as celebrities. Their election as rulers may have been legitimate, but the results are often tragic. The so-called democratic “participation” has failed to produce real democracy. Calling such form of governance “democracy” was a brilliant idea. Democracy comes from δῆμος (dêmos) “people” and κράτος (krátos) “state,” and in combination the words mean

“the people are the state.” Although it is ingenious as a concept, it is abusive and dishonest to call it democracy for several reasons. For instance, the fact that rich people have easier access to the political arena. Democracy turned out to be a system which in fact supports and elevates ruling class through the election process. Elections became the institution by which the ruling class was given access to power with the approval of the dêmos. In Ancient Greece, to get votes, one was essentially required to make great speeches and use impressive words. Nowadays one needs to be famous, or to know how to act. There are many other systems besides democracy, such as communism, fascism or monarchy, and none of these are perfect; all systems have their flaws and limitations. However, as humans seek to move forward, to evolve for the better, to improve. Part of this is being able to ask more critical questions, such as: “Can’t we produce more options for political organization?”

E-Governance In some way, “new forms” of governance are being formulated (or existing forms of governance are being reshaped) in the online world. Cities and countries have started taking advantage of the online infrastructure. For example, the state of Estonia has implemented the so-called “e-governance” which has been

running for years. The current prime minister of Estonia, (elected in 2005) Andrus Ansip proclaimed: “The decision-making process, thanks to this e-government system, is much more transparent. Just a minute or two after decision-making here, all the people around Estonia and around the world know what happened.” When we come across news such as, 92% of Estonian taxpayers filed their 2009 annual income tax returns via the internet (1), we can think of it as a big improvement. Savings in paper and commuting time are just a few benefits that come to mind. However, e-governance can be understood as a technical achievement rather as an improvement. Considering the immediate and direct involvement of the citizen in politics through e-governance, it is indeed an improvement to the present systems of participation. Direct democracy is possible when there is a rather small number of people involved (it is estimated that of 250,000-300,000 inhabitants of ancient Athens, about 30,000 voters were participating in the “Athenian democracy,” when it was first developed, around the 4th century BC). This is a limitation however. In the highly populated countries that we live in today, e-governance makes a form of direct democracy possible, even when there are millions involved. However, if e-governance is misused, it can become rather undemocratic, designed to support only the one side.

Improvement of Democracy A very typical misuse of e-governance is when citizens are given two or three options to choose from in a public debate or discussion. However, it may go without saying, but in complex issues, there are always more than two or three options. Searching online, one may often come across websites where e-governance is being considered a new form of direct democracy. Considering that e-governance has its limitations or restrictions (such as lack of true variety in choice or difficult user interface) means that they may not be democratic at all. In an ideal direct democracy, all individual choices are at least visible and accessible to everybody involved. Returning to the question at hand: can we produce more forms of political organization? I have to admit that even though we of course are capable (as political beings) of creating or coming up with more forms (as demonstrated by the most technologically advanced form, e-governance), the difficult part is implementing or putting these into action. Our societies today are organized in a manner which supports the market, and any big changes will mean changes all along the production line. Changing the production line is very difficult, but before this, there is an even greater difficulty. Those in power do not wish to lose it, and are willing to fight (or use others to fight) to sustain their power.

At this point, it is worth asking, how can we use the system itself, to improve it? The most popular system in the world today, is democracy. It is believed that the main reason for this is the notion of popular sovereignty. In theory, we can improve democracy by performing several democratic actions, for instance the signing of petitions. However, we often see many undemocratic actions within democratic countries, like the abuse of power by some politicians or unnecessary police brutality. How is this possible? The answer to this question is quite complex, and there are many ways to answer it. Many scholars, philosophers, teachers and citizens have dedicated their work to thinking about this, and one of the conclusions is that democracy is doomed by nature. Democracy is self-destructive. “Democracy, as a system of political power does not serve to seek an answer to a reason, instead it seeks for a compromise between the masses. This is how democracy destroys reason thus destroys the prerequisite of its own functioning properly.” —François-René Rideau, 1972–, The SelfDestruction of Democracy As François-René Rideau offers that, arguments don’t happen between slaves and masters, they only happen between tradesmen. Peaceful argument is the fruit of the institution of voluntary cooperation: the market. In a democracy, citizens qua citizens are not tradesmen; they are mutual masters and

slaves. They are ordinarily slaves to a government, the decisions of whom they hardly ever influence. Once every so many years, they can each tip the results by one vote out of millions toward the least evil (according to each individual) between the two (or three) most electable candidates; and in as much as they are a decisive part of political lobbies that may indeed control the decisions of governments, they become masters who can avoid arguing with whichever political minorities they are able to exploit. The situation indeed sounds like a trap, and I personally agree with FranĂ§ois-RenĂŠ Rideau. So how do we escape this situation, what do we do? We could skip over government and let the market flow by itself. The market can provide almost all the things that governments generally provide. However, it also seems that governments are needed because there are some cases in which the market fails. For example, if we assume that the theory of Global Warming is a real threat and Al Gore is absolutely right, then we do need governments to step in and use their power to stop carbon emissions and protect life on this planet. Another example is medical research. In a market-driven social system, the primary motivator is profit. However, most governments have institutions and universities that perform research in medicine. The market also performs medical research, but the market is motivated towards capital growth, whereas the motiva-

tion from institutions and universities may vary. For example, in universities medical research may be towards understanding extremely rare diseases. The market is generally not interested in conducting research into rare diseases, because there is not as much great potential for capital growth as with more common diseases.

Bureaucracy Governments need a legal framework in which they can operate. On an official level, in all countries of the world, bureaucracy seems to be the framework in which governments operate. One of the leading theorists of bureaucracy, Max Weber (1864-1920) understood bureaucracy as a form of institution which ensures productivity. Bureaucracy is a concept which refers to the way that the administrative execution and enforcement of legal rules are socially organized. It is characterized by regularized procedures, formal division of responsibility and specialization, hierarchy, and impersonal relationships. The idea is to be able to predict all possible situations, and in the long run, stability. The major benefits promised by the bureaucratic form, are what characterize it: Regularized procedures promise control and consistency. Formal division of responsibility and specialization promise accountability, control and expertise. Hierarchical authority promises

Anarchy control and responsibility. Impersonal relationships promise objectivity, consistency and equality. (2) However, bureaucracy as a system of organization has been criticized heavily. Overspecialization can make officials unaware of the consequences of their actions on a larger scale. Nepotism, corruption, political infighting and other degenerations can counter the rule of impersonality and can create a promotion system (not based on meritocracy but rather) on oligarchy. Just as in the phenomenon of a Catch-22 (named after the famous novel by Joseph Heller), as bureaucracy creates more and more rules and procedures, their complexity increases and the ability to effectively coordinate diminishes, facilitating the emergence of contradictory rules. (3) This is just one very important downside of bureaucracy. It is very fascinating to see how individuals interpret the law and how they deal with bureaucracy. Often bureaucracy becomes a problem, and instead of being in service of life, it makes life more difficult. Fortunately, this is when the potential for people’s creativity and imagination can emerge. Even though the law has restrictions on how things should be, there will always be citizens who search for their own ways to deal with it. Bureaucracy shouldn’t be like this. The ideal bureaucracy would be one that makes life easier than it would have been without bureaucracy.

“Democracy is Anarchy: popular self-rule based on the active and informed consent of the governed. Only in anarchy is this even possible. Anarchists believe that no one should be trusted with power, and that positions of power should consequently not be institutionalized, but made situational, and rotated about, so a ruling elite doesn’t spring up.” (Anarchy Worldwide, 1998). (4) “Free market anarchism” is simple idea which is more or less a variation of our current democracies. If governments privatize public companies, for example train and telecommunications, then everything, including the military and legal system, should be privatized as well. The idea is that the market should be open for competition. At this point, I should mention that “Free market anarchism” depends solely on what we define as a market, and how big or small that market is. In the Western world, we approach the definition of a market from a capitalistic perspective. This approach is limiting to the definition of the market. For example, we tend to think of small or unofficial markets in terms of the diminutive “informal.” On the contrary the so-called “informal market” is often the actual market. So why do we call it informal? Is it because it is classified by governments as “illegal?” In any case, the market is what forms the economy, and this is the meaning of the word to which the anarchists refer.

Free state anarchism is a variation (according to Greek anarchists) of “Free market anarchism.” According to “Free state anarchism,” governments should not have any authority, and they should only provide what the market does not, for example medical research or student scholarships. Ideally such market systems would be more responsive to the market, more direct to the market needs, and with cheaper and higher-quality legal and police services. With the current governments, there are restrictions on how creative and free the market can be. I believe however, that some services should be left out from the logic of profit, such as health care. However, the abolition of governmental authority is not going to happen so soon. Governments need their authority to collect taxes in order to perpetuate themselves. There is a common argument amongst the anarchists of the world that taxes are theft. Governments have gathered a large group of people together, to assert that they have a right to take a quarter of your money (or more) and that you have no choice in the matter. If you resist, they will apply state violence towards you, and you might go to prison, or in the worst case, some highly repressive governments may do worse. Free State Anarchism is a form of anarchism which supports property rights. In anarchist theory however, property is also considered a form of theft. So how can anarchists propose a solution which is contradictory to basic anar

chist theory? The way I understand it, the anarchists who proposes “Free State Anarchism” support the privatization of the military, the police, the legal system etc, as an alternative, better system to the one we have now. Anarchists do support the abolition of the concept of property. However, I am of the opinion that if this were ever to happen, it would lead to severe consequences for our societies. It would not lead to the “ideal anarchy” (a peaceful and mutually beneficial social system with internal order based on common law) but lead to great chaos with vandalism, looting and violence. I think that the idea of “Free State Anarchism” is something like “if we are meant to have a system which is based on the concepts of property and capital growth, we might as well have Free State Anarchism,” which, in theory, is a fairer, more direct, more responsive, and a more competitive system. Free State Anarchism is a form of Anarchy which does support the existence of a government. Governments survive from monopolizing some fields and receiving taxes and donations. With Free State Anarchism, state monopolies are no longer possible, which means that governments would have to rely only on taxes (which as mentioned already is a form of theft) and donations (which happen very rarely). Governments are known for being expensive. It requires a lot of money to run a government, and even though we have new technologies that could reduce the cost of running a government, it turns out that govern-

ments are becoming even more expensive, year after year. I do believe that the taxes that we currently pay to governments are too high, but as mentioned earlier in this text, some of the tax money is being invested on good causes, such as infrastructure for the disabled, or funding for financially disadvantaged students. Governments restrict creativity on the market and they could indeed allow the market to be more creative. The way I see it, the current legally restrictive situation is a by-product of rules and laws created by governments over the years.

What is the solution? The answer to this question relies on what kind of world each individual would like to live in. For some individuals, the social aspect of the world might be more important than the market. For others it might be exactly the opposite, and for yet another, it might be more important to work for the self than to work to support the market. The world has 6.7 billion citizens, and there must be tens of millions definitions to of an ideal world. Personal motivation is very important, but the problem that lies in this has to do with the fact that there has to be a compromise between all these different opinions. I suppose this could be a good explanation of why most of the world is organized through representa-

tive democracies. Representative democracy is about trying to find the best compromise, but somehow along the way, factors making this difficult arose (as mentioned above, access to the political arena, etc.) and the problem quickly becomes quite complex. Also how much freedom we have in the way we live today is very important. Thinking about the amount of unnecessary rules and laws that we are subject to everyday, shows how our freedom is rather limited. For instance it is prohibited to trade freely or perform a single exchange between people without paying some tax, and doing so is considered tax evasion, which is punishable by law. This is obviously a limitation on freedom. I believe that freedom is the highest virtue, and I believe that it should be granted automatically to all people. Democracy may be about finding the best compromise, but it also about equal opportunities. Therefore freedom should be equally distributed. However the problem does not lie solely with the rulers, but also with the ruled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People are becoming less and less interested in public affairs. The chasm between rulers and ruled is widening. Abstentions from elections, complaints about politics and politicians, and protest votes are all signs of disaffection with politics. Democracy, observers believe, is an ailing body.â&#x20AC;? (5)

We are now living in a time, in which the general public seems to be active in politics only when there are elections, and the rest of the time are passive and quiet. I believe it is up to us, each individual who is part of the general public, to be aware of the importance of politics, and to realize that voting is not the only option. If you need to drive and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require that you get a car, it requires learning how to drive. Similarly, in the representative democracies that we live in, we do not need to talk about for whom we are going to vote. We need to talk about democracy itself.

References

Further reading

1 . Estonia exports e-government worldwide <http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/ infotech/view/20100705-279253/Estoniaexports-e-government-worldwide> Accessed on 17 June 2010

-By François-René Rideau, 2005. The Self-Destruction of Democracy <http://fare.livejournal.com/98267.html>

2. Busting Bureaucracy: the major benefits promised by the bureaucratic form <http://www.bustingbureaucracy.com/excerpts/benefits.html> Accessed on 17 June 2010 3. Bureaucracy - Criticism <http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Bureaucracy/id/1940749> Accessed on 17 June 2010 4. Anarchy Worldwide: Anarchy is democracy. (1998 Swedish Anarchist Forum) <http://www.yelah.net/articles/democracy> Accessed on 17 June 2010 5. Costas Simitis Is Democracy in Crisis? Lessons from the Greek Experience <http://www2.lse.ac.uk/PublicEvents/ pdf/20071022_Simitis.pdf> Accessed on 17 June 2010

-By François-René Rideau, 2002. Government is the Rule of Black Magic: On Human Sacrifices and Other Modern Superstitions <http://fare.livejournal.com/98267.html> -By Thomas Hobbes 1651, Leviathan -By John Locke, 1960, The Second Treatise of Civil Government -By Francois Tremblay, 2007, Market Anarchy Explained: ‘’But Who Will Build The Roads? -By Max Weber 2007, The Theory Of Social And Economic Organization -By Errico Malatesta, 1924, Αναρχία και Βία

STATIC POLITICS This section of the book will answer quiestions such as as:

Look for answers at:

-Which countries consist the European Union?

-European Union member states

-Since when the countries have their current form of governance?

-Birth year of the states

-When the political parties where created?

-Birth year of the parties

-Which ones are the oldest parties of Portugal?

-Birth year of the parties

-How many years is the governmental term in Italy?

-Duration of politics

-Which is the oldest monarchy in the EU?

-Birth year of the parties

-What is the most common system of governance amongst eastern Europe?

-Birth year of the parties

EUROPEAN UNION

ANTHEM

Ode to Joy MOTTO

United in diversity

COLOURS

POPULATION

501,259,840 2o10 estimate Dark Blue, Yellow ESTABLISHMENT TYPE OF UNION

economic and political

Paris Treaty Rome Treaty Maastricht Treaty Lisbon Treaty

23 July 1952 1 January 1958 1 November 1993 1 December 2009

MEMBER / STATES

ENTRY TO EU

CAPITAL

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg

1995 1952 - Founder 2007 2004 2004 1973 2004 1995 1952 - Founder 1952 - Founder 1981 2004 1973 1952 - Founder 2004 2004 1952 - Founder

Vienna Brussels Sofia Nicosia Prague Copenhagen Tallinn Helsinki Paris Berlin Athens Budapest Dublin Rome Riga Vilnius Luxembourg

Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom

2004 1952 - Founder 2004 1986 2007 2004 2004 1986 1995 1973

Valletta Amsterdam Warsaw Lisbon Bucharest Bratislava Ljubljana Madrid Stockholm London

German Dutch, French, German Bulgarian Greek, Turkish Czech Danish Estonian Finnish, Swedish French German Greek Hungarian Irish, English Italian Latvian Lithuanian French, German, Luxembourgish Maltese, English Dutch Polish Portuguese Romanian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swedish English

CONSTITUTIONAL NAMES

Republik Österreich Koninkrijk België Royaume de Belgique Königreich Belgien Република България Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti Česká republika Kongeriget Danmark Eesti Vabariik Suomen tasavalta Republiken Finland République française Bundesrepublik Deutschland Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Magyar Köztársaság Éire Ireland Repubblica italiana Latvijas Republika Lietuvos Respublika Grand-Duché de Luxembourg Großherzogtum Luxemburg Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg Repubblika ta’ Malta Republic of Malta Koninkrijk der Nederlanden Rzeczpospolita Polska República Portuguesa România Slovenská republika Republika Slovenija Reino de España Konungariket Sverige United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

ABBR

STATE

AT BE

Austria Belgium

BG CY

Bulgaria Cyprus

CZ DK EE FI

Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland

FR DE GR HU IE

France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland

IT LV LT LU

Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg

Malta

NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom

BIRTH YEAR OF EUROPEAN STATES By current form of Government

Year 900 950 1000 1050 1100 1150 1200 1250 1300 1350 1400 1450 1500 1550 1600 1650 1700 1750 1800 1850

BE LU

10 years

948 Denmark 1647 The Netherlands 1707 United Kingdom 1830 Belgium 1890 Luxemburg

PFCM PFCM PFDCM PFCPM PUCM

PFR PFCPM PUR PRUR PFCM SFR PDR

Parliamentary Federal Republic Parliamentary Federal Constitutional popular monarchy Parliamentary Unitary Republic Presidential Unitary Republic Parliamentary Federate Constitutional Monarchy Semi-presidential Federate Republic

PUCM Parliamentary Unitary Constitutional Monarchy PFCM Parliamentary Federate Constitutional Monarchy SUR Semi-presidential Unitary Republic PDCM Parliamentary Devolved Constitutional Monarchy PUCM Parliamentary Unitary Constitutional Monarchy PFDCM Parliamentary Federate & Devolved Constitutional Monarchy

Parliamentary Devolved Republic

Year 1900

1910 IE

1920 1930

1940 1950 1960

AT, DE

1970

1980 LT, LV, PL EE, RO, SI, HU

SK, CZ

1990 1 year

1905 Sweden 1918 Finland 1922 Ireland 1946 Italy 1955 Austria 1955 Germany 1958 France 1960 Cyprus 1964 Malta 1974 Portugal 1975 Greece

PUCM SFR PUR PDR PFR PFR SFR PRUR PUR PUR PUR

1978 Spain 1989 Bulgaria 1990 Latvia 1990 Lithuania 1990 Poland 1991 Estonia 1991 Romania 1991 Slovenia 1991 Hungary 1993 Chech Republic 1993 Slovakia

PCDM PUR PUR PUR PUR PUR SUR PUR PUR PUR PUR

BIRTH YEAR OF POLITICAL PARTIES

1860

1870

1869 DE Social Democratic Party

1871 DK Social Democrats 1878 CZ Czech Social Democratic Party 1879 ES Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party

1880

1890

1880 MT Nationalist Party 1888 AT Social Democratic Party of Austria 1889 SE Swedish Social Democratic Party

1893 AT Austrian People’s Party 1895 ES Basque Nationalist Party 1899 FI Social Democratic Party

1900

1910

1900 1902 1904 1905 1905 1905 1906 1906 1906

UK SE SE DK IR UK DK FI FI

Labour Liberal People’s Party Moderate Party Social Liberal Party Sinn Féin Ulster Unionist Union Party (Faroe) Centre Party Swedish People’s Party

1920 1920 1920 1925 1926 1926

1912 1912 1913 1915 1917 1918 1918 1918 1919

IR UK SE DK SE FI GR NL CZ

Labour Party Conservative Centre Party Conservative People’s Party Left Party National Coalition Party Communist Party Reformed Political Party Christian and Democratic Union Czechoslovak People’s Party

1930 FR MT UK CY IR

French Communist Party Malta Labour Party Plaid Cymru Progressive Party of Working People Fianna Fáil

1931 ES Republican Left of Catalonia 1933 IR Fine Gael 1934 UK Scottish National Party

1860

1870 1880 1890

1900 1910

1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980

1940

1944 1945 1945 1945 1945 1946 1948 1948 1948

1950

LU DE DE IT LU NL DK DE NL

Christian Social People’s Party Christian Democratic Union Christian Social Union of Bavaria South Tyrolean People’s Party Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party Labour Party Republican Party Free Democratic Party People’s Party for Freedom/Democracy

1960 1964 1966 1969 1969

1990 2000

LU AT FI DK

Democratic Party (DP) Freedom Party of Austria Christian Democrats Socialist People’s Party

1970 1970 1971 1971 1973 1974 1974 1974 1974

UK UK NL UK PT GR GR PT PT

1976 1976 1976 1976 1977 1978 1978

CY CY GL ES DK BE FR

Sinn Féin Social Democratic and Labour Socialist Party Democratic Unionist Socialist Party Panhellenic Socialist Movement New Democracy Social Democratic Party Democratic and Social Centre People’s Party Democratic Rally Democratic Party Inuit Community People’s Party Forward (Greenland) Socialist Party Centrist Union-UDF

1955 1956 1958 1959

1970 SE NL CY FR

Christian Democrats Democrats 66 Movement for Social Democracy Socialist Party

The underline indicates the currently represented oldest party (in the underlined country)

BIRTH YEAR OF POLITICAL PARTIES

1980

1980 1980 1981 1981 1982 1982 1983 1984 1985 1985 1986 1987 1987 1987 1987 1988 1988 1988 1988 1989

BE NL IR SE BE ES LU FR BE IR ES FI HU LU PT HU HU LV UK CZ

1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989

CZ DK HU HU NL RO

1989 SK 1989 SK 1989 SI

Ecolo Christian Democratic Appeal Green Party Green Party Green! Galician Nationalist Bloc The Greens The Greens National Front Progressive Democrats United Left Green League Hungarian Democratic Forum Alternative Democratic Reform Party Democratic Unity Coalition Alliance of Free Democrats Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Union People’s Party Liberal Democrat Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia Green Party Red-Green Alliance Hungarian Socialist Party Christian Democratic People’s Party GreenLeft Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania Direction – Social Democracy Slovak National Party Slovenian Democratic Party

1860

1870 1880 1890

1900 1910

1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980

1990 2000

1990

1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991

BG EE FI PL RO SK CZ EE IT PL RO SK

1991 SI 1991 1992 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1995 1995 1996

SI BE AT DE LV SI ES EE EE FR HU LT SI DK FI CY

Movement for Rights and Freedoms Social Democratic Party Left Alliance Polish People’s Party National Liberal Party Christian Democratic Movement Civic Democratic Party Estonian Centre Party Lega Nord German Minority Conservative Party People’s Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia Slovenian National Party OpenVLD The Greens – The Green Alternative Alliance ‘90/The Greens For Fatherland and Freedom Social Democrats Canarian Coalition Estonian Reform Party People’s Union of Estonia Movement for France Association for Somogy Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania Liberal Democracy of Slovenia Danish People’s Party True Finns Ecological and Environmental Movement

1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999

FR IT LT SK SI BG LU PT

Left Radical Party Italy of Values New Union (Social Liberals) Party of the Hungarian Coalition Slovenian People’s Party Coalition for Bulgaria The Left Left Bloc

The underline indicates the currently represented oldest party (in the underlined country)

BIRTH YEAR OF POLITICAL PARTIES

2000

2000 GR Popular Orthodox Rally 2000 SK Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party 2000 SI Youth Party of Slovenia 2000 UK Health Concern 2001 BE Christian Democratic and 2001 BE Flemish – New-Flemish Alliance Socialist Party – Different – Spirit 2001 LV New Era 2001 LT Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 2001 NL ChristianUnion 2001 PL Civic Platform 2001 PL Law and Justice 2001 RO Social Democratic Party 2001 ES Convergence and Union 2002 BE Reformist Movement 2002 BE Humanist Democratic Centre 2002 FR Union for a Popular Movement 2002 LV Union of Greens and Farmers 2002 LT Order and Justice 2002 NL Party for the Animals 2003 LT Homeland Union – 2003 LT Lithuanian Christian Democrats Labour Party 2003 LT Liberal and Centre Union 2004 BE Flemish Interest 2004 GR Coalition of the Radical Left 2004 ES Navarre Yes 2004 UK Respect 2005 AT BZÖ – Jörg Haider’s List 2005 BG National Union Attack 2005 BG Order, Lawfulness, Justice

2005 2005 2005 2006

CY IT LV BG

2006 2006 2006 2006

EE EE IT LT

2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007

LT NL PL BE DK FR FR DE IT LV

2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009

LV RO SI ES IT IT LT BG IT

European Party Movement for Autonomy Harmony Centre Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica Estonian Greens Autonomy Liberty Democracy Liberals’ Movement of the Republic of Lithuania Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union Party for Freedom Left and Democrats List Dedecker New Alliance New Centre Democratic Movement The Left Democratic Party Coalition of Latvia’s First Party and Latvian Way For Human Rights in United Latvia Democratic Liberal Party Zares – new politics Union, Progress and Democracy Union of the Centre Associative Movement Italians Abroad National Resurrection Party Blue Coalition The People of Freedom

1860

1870 1880 1890

1900 1910

1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980

1990 2000

MOMENTARY POLITICS This section of the book will answer questions such as as:

Look for answers at:

-Which is the oldest governor in the EU?

-Heads of the Government

-When there are the next elections of the UK?

-Elections timeline

-How many years is the presidential term in Finland?

-Heads of the States

-Who is the youngest Prime Minister in the EU and how old is he/she?

-Heads of the Government

-How many parties are ruling Malta?

-Parties in Total by Country

-What is the most popular political ideology in the EU?

-Political Ideologies on the first/second Chamber

-Every how many years they perform Elections in Austria?

-Elections timeline

ELECTIONS TIMELINE

DURATION IN YEARS FIRST CHAMBER 4 : BE, BG, CZ, DK, EE, FI, DE, GR, HU, LV, LT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SI, ES, SE 5 : AT, CY, FR, IE, IT, LU, MT, UK

FIRST CHAMBER TIMELINE AT BE BG CY CZ* DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL* PL PT RO SK* SI ES SE UK

2008

2013 2011

2007

2013

2009 2010

2006

2010

2006

2014

2007

2011

2007

2011

2007

2011

2007

2012 2009

2013

2009

2013 2014

2010 2007

2012 2008

2013 2010

2006 2008

2012 2014

2009 2008

2013 2010

2006

2011

2007

2013

2009 2008

2012 2010

2006 2008

2012

2008 2006

2012 2010 2010

2015

DURATION IN YEARS SECOND CHAMBER 4 : BE, DE, NL, PL, RO, ES 5 : IE, IT, SI 6: AT, CZ, FR

SECOND CHAMBER TIMELINE AT BE CZ FR DE IE IT NL PL RO SI ES UK

2007

2011

2007

2011 2008

2014

2008

2014

2012

2007 2008

2013

2007

2011

2007

2011 2012

2008 2009 2008 2007

2013 2012 2012

* As of August 2010, these governments have expired and new governements are in power.

HEADS OF THE STATES

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Title Federal President King of Belgium President President President Queen of Denmark President President President Federal President President President President President President President Grand Duke of Luxembourg President Queen of the Netherlands President President President President President King of Spain King of Sweden Queen

Length of term (years) 6

indefinite 5 5

indefinite 5 6 5 5 5 5 7 7 4 5

indefinite 5

indefinite 5 5 5 5 5

indefinite indefinite indefinite

Name Heinz Fischer Albert II Georgi Parvanov Dimitris Christofias Václav Klausv Margrethe II Toomas Hendrik Ilves Tarja Halonen Nicolas Sarkozy Jens Böhrnsen Karolos Papoulias László Sólyom Mary McAleese Giorgio Napolitano Valdis Zatlers Dalia Grybauskaitė Henri Ġorġ Abela Beatrix Bronisław Komorowski Aníbal Cavaco Silva Traian Băsescu Ivan Gašparovič Danilo Türk Juan Carlos I Carl XVI Gustaf Elizabeth II

Birth 1938 1934 1957 1946 1941 1940 1953 1943 1955 1949 1929 1942 1951 1925 1955 1956 1955 1948 1938 1952 1939 1951 1941 1952 1938 1946 1926

In service since 2004 1993 2002 2008 2003 1972 2006 2000 2007 2009 2005 2005 1997 2006 2007 2009 2000 2009 1980 2010 2006 2007 2004 2007 1975 1973 1952

LEGEND This chart represtents the heads of the states as of 9th May 2010. The black line indicates the beginning of the life span of the head of the states. The red line indicates when the head started serving

as a head of the state, as well as the expected end of the service. The brake in the red line indicates an indefinite term, which is found only in the monarchies.

1920

2000

1920

2000

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEADS OF GOVERNMENTS

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Title Federal Chancellor Prime Minister Prime Minister President Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Federal Chancellor Prime Minister Prime Minister Taoiseach Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister President of the Government Prime Minister Prime Minister

Name Werner Faymann Yves Leterme Boyko Borisov Dimitris Christofias Jan Fischer * Lars Løkke Rasmussen Andrus Ansip Matti Vanhanen * François Fillon Angela Merkel George Papandreou jr Gordon Bajnai * Brian Cowen Silvio Berlusconi Valdis Dombrovskis Andrius Kubilius Jean-Claude Juncker Lawrence Gonzi Jan Peter Balkenende Donald Tusk José Sócrates Emil Boc Robert Fico * Borut Pahor José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Fredrik Reinfeldt Gordon Brown *

Birth 1960 1960 1959 1946 1951 1964 1956 1955 1954 1954 1952 1968 1960 1936 1971 1956 1954 1954 1956 1957 1957 1966 1964 1963 1960 1965 1951

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

In service since 2008 2009 2009 2008 2009 2009 2005 2006 2007 2005 2009 2009 2008 2008 2009 2008 1995 2004 2002 2007 2007 2008 2006 2008 2004 2006 2007

The asterisc indicates that as of August 2010 these heads of governments have been replaced.

LEGEND This chart represtents the heads of the governments as of 9th May 2010. The black line indicates the beginning of the life span of the head of government, from each one of the European states. The red line

indicates when the head started serving as a head of the government. The brake in the red line indicates that the mentioned head of government is no longer in service and has been replaced (as of August 2010).

1920

2000

1920

2000

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES ON THE FIRST CHAMPERS

Ideology Social democracy Conservatism Green politics Christian Democracy Liberalism Democratic socialism Centrism National conservatism Liberal conservatism Social liberalism Communism Conservative liberalism Socialism Nationalism Unionism Regionalism Irish republicanism Unification of Ireland Ultranationalism Single-issue politics Scottish independence Radicalism Progressivism Polish minority interests Orthodox Protestantism National liberalism Libertarianism Italians of South America Interests of ethnic Hungarians in Romania Hungarian minority interests Galician nationalism Finnish nationalism, Federalism Eurocommunism Classical liberalism Christian right Catalan nationalism Catalan independentism Bulgarian nationalism Bavarian regionalism

Parties 25 16 15 15 14 14 12 9 8 6 5 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Members 1890 866 191 815 266 584 332 278 112 56 81 98 39 23 10 10 81 5 20 7 6 7 1 3 6 34 5 4 22 20 2 5 60 2 93 2 10 3 21 45 7 37

IDEOLOGIES 30

Ideology Social democracy Conservatism Christian Democracy Democratic socialism Centrism National conservatism Liberalism Green politics Liberal conservatism Conservative liberalism Classical liberalism Communism Irish republicanism Federalism Social liberalism Bavarian regionalism Socialism Agrarianism National liberalism Nationalism Interests of ethnic Hungarians in Romania Bulgarian nationalism Ultranationalism Hungarian minority interests Unionism Regionalism Catalan nationalism Single-issue politics Radicalism Basque nationalism Scottish independence Orthodox Protestantism Unification of Ireland Libertarianism Finnish nationalism, Italians of South America Polish minority interests Catalan independentism Galician nationalism Eurocommunism

Members 1890 866 815 584 332 278 266 191 112 98 93 81 81 60 56 45 39 37 34 23 22 21 20 20 10 10 10 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 3 2 2

PARTIES 201

MEMBERS 7091

Parties 25 16 15 14 12 9 14 15 8 4 1 5 2 1 6 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES ON THE SECOND CHAMPERS Ideology Social Decmocracy Christian democracy Green politics Conservatism Liberalism Liberal conservatism Democratic socialism Centrism Nationalism Irish republicanism Conservative liberalism Communism Social liberalism, Regionalism Populism Orthodox Protestantism National Conservatism Libertarianism Italians of South America Interests of ethnic Hungarians in Romania Federalism Eurocommunism Christian right Catalan nationalism

Parties 9 7 6 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Members 433 117 11 322 82 349 228 44 6 27 42 26 2 2 2 4 39 1 1 9 25 4 2 2

IDEOLOGIES 22

Ideology Social democracy Non Ideological Members* Liberal conservatism Conservatism Democratic socialism Christian democracy Liberalism Centrism, Conservative liberalism National Conservatism Irish republicanism Communism Federalism Green politics Interests of ethnic Hungarians in Romania Nationalism Orthodox Protestantism Eurocommunism Social liberalism, Regionalism Populism Christian right Catalan nationalism Libertarianism Italians of South America

Members 433 376 349 322 228 117 82 44 42 39 27 26 25 11 9 6 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 1 1

PARTIES 58

MEMBERS 2155

Parties 9 3 4 3 7 3 3 2 1 2 2 1 6 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1

* Non Ideological Members refers to members of the upper legislatures which do not represent parties. For instance the children of the Belgian King are senators by right. They are members without being elected to support a specific ideology.

PARTIES/GROUPS* IN TOTAL BY COUNTRY

AMOUNT OF PARTIES/GROUPS IN THE FIRST CHAMBER

AMOUNT OF PARTIES/GROUPS IN THE SECOND CHAMBER

Parties 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

MT HU, PT, CZ, GR, PL AT, BG, CY, EE, DE, LU, PL, RO, SK, LT, SE SI IE, FI, IT, NL BE, ES, LV DK, FR UK

PL AT, RO FR, IE, IT, ES CZ UK NL FR BE

*Groups refers to the fact that in some countries there are members in the parliament which are not solely representing some party. These can be independent politicians, representatives of geographic areas (for example in Finland there is a representative for Ă&#x2026;land Islands, an autonomous region of Finland) or members which are appointed without elections (for example, the children of the king in Belgium are senators by right)

FIRST CHAMBER

SECOND CHAMBER

COUNTRY PROFILES In this section of the book you can study to answer questions such as:

You can also spot facts or peculiarities such as these ones:

-Which country has the most confident motto?

-Germany has the most politicians in the European Union

-With what country or countries the government of Belgium is similar to?

-In Slovakia there are 20 (from 150) politicians representing the Hungarian minority. In Romania there are 22 (from 350) representing also the Hungarian minority.

-Which is the most popular ideology in Ireland? -What are the visual differences in the logos between Bulgaria (the only EU country which is using Cyrillic script) and the rest of the EU? -How often the national colors of a country are being used in politics?

-In most countries, the parties have a main ideology and besides that they support other ideologies. In Sweden almost all parties support only one ideology, thus this could mean they are more straight forward, or it could mean that the complexity of the Swedish politics is not to the level of other countries.

-Which country has the least politicians? -How often is Euroscepticism represented in Northern Europe?

-In Italy almost all parties have a circular logo which for some reason look similar to diary products (ice creams, yogurt, milk products) -The Polish anthem refers to the fact that Poland is not lost yet

AUSTRIA Republic of Austria Republik Österreich (German)

MOTTO

ANTHEM

Land of Mountains, Land by the River

NATIONAL COLOURS

POPULATION

8,356,707 Red, White, Red POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1955

245

HEAD OF THE STATE

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Federal President Heinz Fischer (1938) Since 2004

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

BE, CZ, FR, DE, NL, PL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary federal republic SIMILAR TO

34,045 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann (1960) Since 2008

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

FEDERAL COUNCIL

NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS 183

DURATION 5 years

MEMBERS 62

DURATION 4-6 years

LAST ELECTION 9/28/2008

EXPIRES 2013

LAST ELECTION 5/11/2009

EXPIRES 2013-15

IDEOLOGY Social Democracy Conservatism National liberalism National conservatism Green politics

% 31,15 27,87 18,58 11,48 10,93

IDEOLOGY Social Democracy Conservatism National liberalism National conservatism Green politics

% 38,71 45,16 6,45 3,23 4,84

1st Chamber National Council

2nd Chamber Federal Council

Social Democratic Party of Austria Austrian People’s Party Freedom Party of Austria BZÖ – Jörg Haider’s List The Greens – The Green Alternative Citizens’ Forum Austria

1st chamber

2nd chamber

57 51 34 21 20

24 28 4 2 3 1 62

183

AUSTRIA 1 2 5 3 4

1888

1893

Social Democracy, Democratic Socialism

Conservatism, Christian democracy

1956

2005

National liberalism, Right-wing populism, National conservatism

National conservatism, Right-wing populism

1. Social Democratic Party of Austria Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs 2. Austrian People’s Party Österreichische Volkspartei 3. Freedom Party of Austria Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs 4. BZÖ – Jörg Haider’s List BZÖ – Liste Jörg Haider

5. The Greens – The Green Alternative Die Grünen – Die Grüne Alternative

1993

Green politics, Social progressivism

BELGIUM

MOTTO

Kingdom of Belgium Koninkrijk België (Dutch) Royaume de Belgique (French) Königreich Belgien (German)

ANTHEM

NATIONAL COLOURS

Strength through Unity Song of Brabant

POPULATION

10827519 Red, Yellow, Black POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1830 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, CZ, FR, DE, NL, PL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary federal constitutional popular monarchy SIMILAR TO

None

221 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

King Albert II of Belgium (1934) Since 1993

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister Yves Leterme (1960) Since 2009

48,993

CHAMPER OF REPRESENTATIVES

SENATE

MEMBERS 150

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 71

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 6/10/2007

EXPIRED 13/06/2010

LAST ELECTION 6/10/2007

EXPIRED 13/06/2010

IDEOLOGY Liberalism Christian Democracy Social democracy Nationalism Green Politics Libertarianism

% 27,33 26,67 22,67 12 8 3,33

IDEOLOGY Liberalism Christian Democracy Social democracy Nationalism Green Politics Libertarianism

% 15,49 15,5 11,26 8,45 4,23 1,41

1st Chamber Chamer of Representatives

2nd Chamber Senate

Christian Democratic and Flemish – New-Flemish Alliance Reformist Movement Flemish Interest OpenVLD (Flemish Liberals and Democrats) Socialist Party Socialist Party – Different – Spirit Humanist Democratic Centre Ecolo List Dedecker Green! National Front Members appointed by the Community Parliaments Coopted members appointed by the other Senators Children of the King

1st chamber

2nd chamber

30 23 17 18 20 14 10 8 5 4 1

9 6 5 5 4 4 2 2 1 1 1 21 10 3 71

150

BELGIUM 1 2 5 6 3 4 7 8

2001

2002

Christian Democracy

Liberalism Lib li

2004

1992

Nationalism, Separatism,Right-wing populism, National conservatism

Liberalism

1. Christian Democratic and Flemish – NewFlemish Alliance Christen-Democratisch & Vlaams – Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie 2. Reformist Movement Mouvement Réformateur 3. Flemish Interest Vlaams Belang 4. OpenVLD (Flemish Liberals and Democrats) Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten

5. Socialist Party Parti Socialiste 6. Socialist Party – Different – Spirit Socialistische Partij – Anders – Spirit 7. Humanist Democratic Centre Centre Démocrate Humaniste 8. Ecolo (Confederated ecologists for the organisation of original struggles) Écologistes Confédérés pour l’organisation de luttes originales

1978

2001

Social democracy

Social democracy, Third Way

2002

1980

Christian democracy

Green Politics

BELGIUM 9 10 11

2007

1982

Libertarianism, Conservative liberalism, Fortuynism

Green Politics

1985

Nationalism

9. List Dedecker Lijst Dedecker 10. Green! Groen! 11. National Front Front National

BULGARIA

MOTTO

Republic of Bulgaria Република България (Bulgarian)

ANTHEM

Unity makes strength Dear Homeland

NATIONAL COLOURS

POPULATION

7,563,710 White, Green, Red POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1908

240

CZ, EE, GR, HU, IE, LV, LT, MT, PL, PT, SK, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President Georgi Parvanov (1957) Since 2002 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov (1959) Since 2009

31,515 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS 240

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 7/5/2009

EXPIRES 2013

IDEOLOGY Conservatism Liberalism Centrism Bulgarian nationalism

% 52,5 16,67 15,83 8,75

Unicameral National Assembly

1st chamber

Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria Coalition for Bulgaria Movement for Rights and Freedoms National Union Attack Blue Coalition Order, Lawfulness, Justice

116 40 38 21 15 10 240

BULGARIA 1 2 5 6 3 4

2006

1999

Conservatism, Liberal conservatism

Liberalism, Conservative liberalism

1990

2005

Centrism, Liberalism, Turkish minority interests

Bulgarian nationalism, Third Position, Euroscepticism, Anti-Turkish Sentiment, Antiziganism, Neofascism, Right-wing populism

1. Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria Граждани за европейско развитие на България 2. Coalition for Bulgaria Коалиция за България 3. Movement for Rights and Freedoms Движение за права и свободи 4. National Union Attack Национален съюз Атака

5. Blue Coalition Синята коалиция 6. Order, Lawfulness, Justice Ред, законност и справедливост

2009

2005

Conservatism

Conservatism,Liberal conservatism

CYPRUS

ANTHEM

Republic of Cyprus Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία (Greek) Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti (Turkish)

MOTTO

NATIONAL COLOURS

Hymn to Liberty (also used by Greece) -Freedom or Death (also used by Greece) -I don’t forget and I fight

POPULATION

870,000 Olive, Green POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1960

CZ, EE, GR, HU, IE, LV, LT, MT, PL, PT, SK, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

presidential unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President Dimitris Christofias (1946) Since 2008 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

President Dimitris Christofias (1946) Since 2008

14,746 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBERS 59

DURATION 5 years

LAST ELECTION 5/21/2006

EXPIRES 2010

IDEOLOGY Communism Conservatism Centrism Democratic Socialism Green politics

% 32,14 32,14 25,00 8,93 1,79

Unicameral House of Representatives

1st chamber

Progressive Party of Working People Democratic Rally Democratic Party Movement for Social Democracy-EDEK European Party Ecological and Environmental Movement

18 18 11 5 3 1 59

CYPRUS 1 2 5 6 3 4

1926

1976

Communism, Marxism-Leninism, Market Socialism

Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Christian democracy

1976

1969

Centrism

Democratic Socialism, Social democracy, Socialism

1. Progressive Party of Working People Anorthotikon Komma Ergazemenou Laou 2. Democratic Rally Dimokratikos Sinagermos 3. Democratic Party Dimokratikon Komma 4. Movement for Social Democracy Kinima Sosialdimokraton Eniaia Dimokratiki Enosi Kentrou

5. European Party Evropaiko Komma 6. Ecological and Environmental Movement Kinima Oikologoi Perivallontistoi

2005

1996

Centrism, Right-Wing

Green politics

CZECH REPUBLIC ฤ eskรก republika (Czech)

MOTTO

Truth prevails ANTHEM Where is my home?

NATIONAL COLOURS

POPULATION

10827519 Red, White, Blue POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1993

281

HEAD OF THE STATE

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

President Vรกclav Klausv (1941) Since 2003

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, CZ, FR, DE, NL, PL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

None

37,022 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Jan Fischer (1951) Since 2009

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

CHAMPER OF DEPUTIES

SENATE

MEMBERS 200

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 81

DURATION 6 years

LAST ELECTION 6/3/2006

EXPIRED 28-29 May 2010

LAST ELECTION 10/25/2008

EXPIRES 2014

IDEOLOGY Conservatism Social democracy Communism Christian democracy Green

% 40,50 37,00 13,00 6,50 3,00

IDEOLOGY Conservatism Social democracy Communism Christian democracy Green Liberal conservatism

% 43,21 35,80 3,70 8,64 1,23 2,47

1st Chamber Chamber of Deputies

2nd Chamber Senate

Civic Democratic Party Czech Social Democratic Party Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People’s Party Green Party SNK European Democrats Others

1st chamber

2nd chamber

81 74 26 13 6

35 29 3 7 1 2 4 81

200

CZECH REPUBLIC 1 2 5 6 3 4

1991

1878

Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Economic liberalism, Euroscepticism

Social democracy, Democratic socialism, Keynesianism

1989

1919

Communism

Christian democracy, Social conservatism, Regionalism

1. Civic Democratic Party Občanská demokratická strana 2. Czech Social Democratic Party Česká strana sociálně demokratická 3. Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy 4. Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People’s Party Křesťanská a demokratická unie - Československá strana lidová

5. Green Party Sdružení nezávislých kandidátů - Evropští Demokraté 6. SNK European Democrats Strana zelených

1989

2006

Green, Centrism, Social Liberalism

Liberal conservatism

DENMARK Kingdom of Denmark Kongeriget Danmark (Danish)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

ANTHEM There is a lovely land

POPULATION

5,534,738 1 October 2009 estimate Red, White POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

8th century

179

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary federate constitutional monarchy SIMILAR TO

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (1940) Since 1972 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (1960) Since 2009

30,920 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

PARLIAMENT MEMBERS 179

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 11/13/2007

EXPIRES 2011

IDEOLOGY Classical liberalism Social democracy National conservatism, Democratic socialism Liberal conservatism Social liberalism Liberalism Conservative liberalism

% 25,70 25,70 13,97 16,20 10,06 5,03 2,79 0,56

Unicameral Parliament

1st chamber

Liberals Social Democrats Danish People’s Party Socialist People’s Party Conservative People’s Party Social Liberal Party New Alliance Red-Green Alliance Republican Party Union Party Inuit Community Forward

46 45 25 23 18 9 5 4 1 1 1 1 173

DENMARK 1 2 5 6 3 4 7 8

1870

1871

Classical liberalism, Liberalism

Social democracy,Democratic socialism,Third Way

1995

1959

National conservatism, Social conservatism, Right-wing populism

Democratic socialism, Popular socialism, Eco-socialism, Green politics

1. Liberals Venstre 2. Social Democrats Socialdemokraterne 3. Danish People’s Party Dansk Folkeparti 4. Socialist People’s Party Socialistisk Folkeparti

5. Conservative People’s Party Det Konservative Folkeparti 6. Social Liberal Party Det Radikale Venstre 7. New Alliance Ny Alliance 8. Red-Green Alliance Enhedslisten

1915

1905

Liberal conservatism, Conservatism

Social liberalism

2007

1989

Liberalism

Democratic socialism, Anti-capitalism, Eco-socialism, Revolutionary socialism, Euroscepticism,

DENMARK 9 10 11 12

1870

1871

Classical liberalism, Liberalism

Social democracy,Democratic socialism,Third Way

1995

1959

National conservatism, Social conservatism, Right-wing populism

Democratic socialism, Popular socialism, Eco-socialism, Green politics

9. Republican Party (Faroe) Tj贸冒veldi 10. Union Party (Faroe) Sambandsflokkurin 11. Inuit Community (Greenland) Inuit Ataqatigiit 12. Forward (Greenland) Siumut

ESTONIA Republic of Estonia Eesti Vabariik (Estonian)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

Positively surprising ANTHEM My Fatherland, My Happiness and Joy

POPULATION

1340021 2010 estimate Blue, Black, White POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

1991

101

BG, CZ, GR, HU, IE, LT, LV, MT, PL, PT, SK, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

Parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (1953) Since 2006 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Andrus Ansip (1956) Since 2005

13,268 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS 101

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 3/4/2007

EXPIRES 2011

IDEOLOGY Liberalism Centrism Conservatism Social democracy Green politics Agrarianism

% 30,69 28,71 18,81 9,90 5,94 5,94

Unicameral State Assembly

1st chamber

Estonian Reform Party Estonian Centre Party Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica Social Democratic Party Estonian Greens Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union of Estonia

31 29 19 10 6 6 101

ESTONIA 1 2 5 6 3 4

1994

1991

Liberalism, Free-market liberalism

Centrism, Social liberalism, Populism

2006

1990

Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Christian democracy

Social democracy, Third Way

1. Estonian Reform Party Eesti Reformierakond 2. Estonian Centre Party Eesti Keskerakond 3. Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit 4. Social Democratic Party Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond

5. Estonian Greens Erakond Eestimaa Rohelised 6. Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union of Estonia Eestimaa Rahvaliit

2006

1994

Green politics, Ecologism

Agrarianism, Centrism

FINLAND

MOTTO

Republic of Finland Suomen tasavalta (Finnish) Republiken Finland (Swedish)

ANTHEM Our Land

NATIONAL COLOURS

POPULATION

5,359,538 2010 estimate Blue, White POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

1905 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, GR, HU, LV, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

semi-presidential federate republic SIMILAR TO

200 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

President Tarja Halonen (1943) Since 2000

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (1955) Since 2003

26,798

PARLIAMENT MEMBERS 200

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 18/3/2007

EXPIRES 17/4/2011

IDEOLOGY Centrism Liberal conservatism 2 Social democracy Democratic socialism Green politics Christian democracy Liberalism Finnish nationalism

% 25,50 5,00 22,50 8,50 7,50 3,50 4,50 2,50

Unicameral Parliament

1st chamber

Centre Party National Coalition Party Social Democratic Party Left Alliance Green League Christian Democrats Swedish People’s Party True Finns Province of Åland representative

51 50 45 17 15 7 9 5 1 200

FINLAND 1 2 5 6 3 4 7 8

1906

1918

Centrism, Agrarianism, Liberalism

Liberal conservatism

1899

1990

Social democracy

Democratic socialism, Eco-socialism

1. Centre Party Suomen Keskusta 2. National Coalition Party Kansallinen Kokoomus 3. Social Democratic Party Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue 4. Left Alliance Vasemmistoliitto

5. Green League VihreĂ¤ liitto 6. Christian Democrats Kristillisdemokraatit 7. Swedish Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party Ruotsalainen kansanpuolue 8. True Finns Perussuomalaiset

1987

1958

Green politics

Christian democracy

1906

1995

Liberalism, Swedish minority politics

Finnish nationalism, Right-wing populism, Agrarianism, National conservatism, Euroscepticism

FRANCE French Republic République française (French)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood ANTHEM The Song of Marseille

POPULATION

62,793,432 (exl. overseas departments) 1 January 2010 estimate Red, Yellow, Black POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1958

920

HEAD OF THE STATE

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

President Nicolas Sarkozy (1955) Since 2007

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, DE, NL, PL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

semi-presidential federate republic SIMILAR TO

70,080 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister François Fillon (1954) Since 2007

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE

MEMBERS 577

DURATION 5 years

MEMBERS 343

DURATION 6 years

LAST ELECTION 17/6/2007

EXPIRES 2012

LAST ELECTION 21/9/2008

EXPIRES 2014

IDEOLOGY Liberal conservatism Social democracy Centrism Communism Radicalism Green politics Conservatism

% 54,25 32,24 4,33 2,60 1,21 0,69 0,17

IDEOLOGY Liberal conservatism Social democracy Centrism Communism

% 26,17 20,10 5,03 3,99

1st Chamber National Assembly

2nd Chamber Senate

Union for a Popular Movement Socialist Party New Centre Centrist Union-UDF French Communist Party European Democratic and Social Rally Non-Inscrits Miscellaneous Left Miscellaneous Right Left Radical Party The Greens Democratic Movement Movement for France Regionalists and separatists Miscellaneous

Blue, Red Red, Pink Light Blue Orange Red

Yellow, Blue Green Orange Blue

1st chamber

2nd chamber

313 186 22

151 116

29 23* 17 7

15 9 7 4 3 1 1 1 577

343

* 23 seats with the Republican and Citizen party (rĂŠpublicain, et citoyen)

FRANCE 1 2 5 6 3 4 7 8

2002

1969

Liberal conservatism, Christian democracy, Gaullism, Liberalism

Social democracy, Democratic socialism, Social Liberalism

2007

1920

Centrism, Christian democracy, Liberalism, Social Liberalism

Communism

1. Union for a Popular Movement Union pour un mouvement populaire 2. Socialist Party Parti socialiste 3. New Centre Nouveau centre (under Majorité présidentielle banner) 4. National Union Attack Parti communiste français

5. Left Radical Party Parti radical de gauche 6. The Greens Les Verts 7. Democratic Movement Mouvement démocrate 8. Movement for France Mouvement pour la France

1998

2005

Radicalism, Social liberalism

Green politics, Social progressivism

2007

1994

Centrism, Social liberalism, Third Way

Conservatism, Souverainism, Euroscepticism, Social conservatism

GERMANY Federal Republic of Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland (German)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

ANTHEM Third stanza of

POPULATION

81,757,600 1 January 2010 estimate Black, Red, Gold POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1955

691

HEAD OF THE STATE

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Federal President Jens Bรถhrnsen(1949) Since 2009

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, NL, PL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary federal republic SIMILAR TO

118,318 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (1954) Since 2005

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

FEDERAL DIET

FEDERAL COUNCIL

MEMBERS 622

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 69

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 9/27/2009

EXPIRES 2011

LAST ELECTION 6/10/2007

EXPIRES 2011

IDEOLOGY Christian democracy Social democracy Classical liberalism Democratic socialism Green politics Bavarian regionalism

% 31,19 23,47 14,95 12,22 10,93 7,23

1st Chamber Federal Diet

2nd Chamber Federal Council

Christian Democratic Union Social Democratic Party Free Democratic Party The Left Alliance â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90/The Greens Christian Social Union of Bavaria

1st chamber

2nd chamber

194 146 93 76 68 45 622

FEDERAL COUNCIL The composition of the German Federal Council (Bundestat) is different from other similar legislative bodies representing states. Bundesrat members are not elected -either by popular vote or by the state parliaments- but are delegated by the respective state government, of which they are commonly members of. Normally, a state delegation consists of the respective minister-president and other cabinet minister.

GERMANY 1 2 5 6 3 4

1945

Christian democracy, Liberal conservatism

Bavarian regionalism, Christian democracy, Liberal Conservatism, Euroscepticism

1869

1948

Social democracy, Third Way

Classical liberalism

1. Christian Democratic Union Christlich Demokratische Union 2. Christian Social Union of Bavaria Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern 3. Social Democratic Party Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands 4. Free Democratic Party Freie Demokratische Partei

5. The Left Die Linke 6. Alliance ‘90/The Greens Bündnis 90/Die Grünen

2007

1993

Democratic socialism

Green politics, Social liberalism

GREECE Hellenic Republic Ελληνική Δημοκρατία (Greek)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

Freedom or Death (also used by Cyprus) ANTHEM Hymn to Liberty (also used by Cyprus)

POPULATION

11,306,183 2010 estimate Blue, White POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1974

300

BG, CZ, EE, HU, IE, LT, LV, MT, PL, PT, SK, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, HU, LV, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President Karolos Papoulias (1929) Since 2005 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister George Papandreou junior (1952) Since 2009

37,687 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

PARLIAMENT OF THE GREEKS MEMBERS 300

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 4/10/2009

EXPIRES 2013

IDEOLOGY % Social democracy Centrism Communism National conservatism Democratic socialism

53,33 30,33 7,00 5,00 4,33

Unicameral Parliament of the Greeks

1st chamber

Panhellenic Socialist Movement New Democracy Communist Party Popular Orthodox Rally Coalition of the Radical Left

160 91 21 15 13 300

GREECE 1 2 5 3 4

1974

Social democracy, Third Way

Centrism, Christian Democracy, Conservatism, Liberal Conservatism

1918

2000

Communism, Marxism-Leninism

National conservatism, Christian democracy, Right-wing populism, Euroscepticism, Social conservatism, Greek nationalism, Christian right, Law and order

100

1. Panhellenic Socialist Movement Πανελλήνιο Σοσιαλιστικό Κίνημα 2. New Democracy Νέα Δημοκρατία 3. Communist Party Κομμουνιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδας 4. Popular Orthodox Rally Λαϊκός Ορθόδοξος Συναγερμός

5. Coalition of the Radical Left Συνασπισμός της Ριζοσπαστικής Αριστεράς

2004

Democratic socialism, Social democracy, Trotskyism, Communism, Eurocommunism, Anti-capitalism, Green politics, Eco-socialism, Social progressivism, Alter-globalization

101

HUNGARY Republic of Hungary Magyar Köztársaság (Hungarian)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO With the help of God for Homeland and Freedom ANTHEM God, bless the Hungarians

POPULATION

10,007,000 March 2010 estimate Red, White, Green POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1991

386

BG, CZ, EE, GR, IE, LT, LV, MT, PL, PT, SK, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, LV, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President László Sólyom (1942) Since 2005 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (1963) Since 2010

102

25,925 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS 386

DURATION 5 years

LAST ELECTION 25/5/2010

EXPIRES 2015

IDEOLOGY % Conservatism Social Democracy Antiglobalism Centrism

67.88 15.28 12.18 4.15

Unicameral National Assembly

1st chamber

Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Union Hungarian Socialist Party Jobbik – The Movement for a Better Hungary Politics Can Be Different

262 59 47 16 386

103

HUNGARY 1 2 3 4

1988

1989

Conservatism, Christian democracy

Social democracy, Social liberalism

2003

2009

Antiglobalism, Christian democracy, Euroscepticism, National conservatism, Radical nationalism,Nationalism, Political radicalism, Self-determination

Centrism

104

1. Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Union Fidesz – Magyar Polgári Szövetsé 2. Hungarian Socialist Party Magyar Szocialista Párt 3. Jobbik – The Movement for a Better Hungary Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom 4. Politics Can Be Different Lehet Más a Politika

105

IRELAND Republic of Ireland Poblacht na hÉireann (Irish)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

ANTHEM The Soldier’s Song

POPULATION

4,459,300 2009estimate Green, White, Orange POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1949 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, NL, PL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

BG, CZ, EE, GR, HU, LT, LV, MT, PL, PT, SK, SI HEAD OF THE STATE

President Mary McAleese (1951) Since 1997 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Taoiseach Brian Cowen (1960) Since 2008

106

226 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

19,731 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SENATE

MEMBERS 150

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 71

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 10/6/2007

EXPIRES no later than 14/06/2012

LAST ELECTION 6/10/2007

EXPIRES no later than 14/06/2012

IDEOLOGY Irish republicanism Christian Democracy Democratic socialism Green politics Liberalism

% 48,80 30,72 12,05 3,61 1,20

IDEOLOY Irish republicanism Christian Democracy Democratic socialism Green politics

% 43,33 25,00 10,00 5,00

1st Chamber House of Representatives

2nd Chamber Senate

Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Labour Party Green Party Sinn Féin Progressive Democrats Independent Vacant Ceann Comhairle (chairman)

1st chamber

2nd chamber

77 51 20 6 4 2 5 1 1 166

25 15 6 3 1 9 60

107

IRELAND 1 2 5 6 3 4

1926

1933

Irish republicanism, Liberal conservatism, Centrism, Populism

Christian Democracy

1912

1981

Democratic socialism, Social democracy

Green politics

108

1. Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach 2. Fine Gael Fine Gael 3. Labour Party Páirtí an Lucht Oibre 4. Green Party Comhaontas Glas

5. Sinn Féin Sinn Féin 6. Progressive Democrats An Páirtí Daonlathach

1905

1985-2009

Irish republicanism, Left-wing nationalism, Democratic socialism, Unification of Ireland

Liberalism, Conservative liberalism, Market liberalism, Economic liberalism

109

ITALY Italian Republic Repubblica italiana (Italian)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

ANTHEM The Song of the Italians

POPULATION

60,231,214 2009 estimate Red, Yellow, Black POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1946

926

HEAD OF THE STATE

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

President Giorgio Napolitano (1925) Since 2006

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, NL, PL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary devolved republic SIMILAR TO

None

65,045 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (1936) Since 2008

110

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

CHAMPER OF DEPUTIES

SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC

MEMBERS 150

DURATION 5 years

MEMBERS 315

DURATION 5 years

LAST ELECTION 14/4/2008

EXPIRES 2012

LAST ELECTION 14/4/2008

EXPIRES 2012

IDEOLOGY Liberal conservatism Social democracy Federalism Christian democracy Centrism Regionalism

% 43,81 34,44 9,52 5,71 4,6 1,59

IDEOLOGY Liberal conservatism Social democracy Federalism Centrism Christian democracy Regionalism

% 46,67 37,46 7,94 4,44 0,95 0,63

1st Chamber Chamber of Deputies

2nd Chamber Senate of the Republic

The People of Freedom Democratic Party Lega Nord Union of the Centre Italy of Values Movement for Autonomy South Tyrolean Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party Autonomy Liberty Democracy Associative Movement Italians Abroad Others

1st chamber

2nd chamber

276 217 60 36 29 8 2 1 1

147 118 25 3 14 2

630

1 5 315

111

ITALY 1 2 5 6 3 4 7

2009

2007

Liberal conservatism, Christian democracy

Social democracy, Christian left, Green, Social liberalism, Democratic socialist minorities

1991

2008

Federalism, Regionalism, Leftist labourism, Padanian nationalism, Right-wing populism

Christian democracy, Social conservatism

112

1. The People of Freedom Il Popolo della Libertà 2. Democratic Party Partito Democratico 3. Lega Nord Lega Nord per l’Indipendenza della Padania 4. Union of the Centre Unione di Centro

5. Italy of Values Italia dei Valori 6. Movement for Autonomy Movimento per le Autonomie 7. South Tyrolean People’s Party Südtiroler Volkspartei

1998

2005

Centrism, Populism, Anti-corruption

Regionalism, Centrism, Christian democracy

1945

Regionalism, Christian democracy, Social democracy

113

LATVIA Republic of Latvia Latvijas Republika (Latvian)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

For Fatherland and Freedom ANTHEM God bless Latvia!

POPULATION

2,217,969 July 2010 estimate Maroon, White POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1991

100

BG, CZ, EE, GR, IE, HU, LT, MT, PL, PT, SK, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President Valdis Zatlers (1955) Since 2007 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (1978) Since 2009

114

22,180 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

DIET MEMBERS 100

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 7/10/2006

EXPIRES 2/10/2010

IDEOLOGY Conservatism Green politics Social democracy Conservative liberalism National conservatism Democratic socialism

% 41,00 18,00 17,00 10,00 8,00 6,00

Unicameral Diet

1st chamber

People’s Party Union of Greens and Farmers New Era Harmony Centre Coalition of Latvia’s First Party and Latvian Way For Fatherland and Freedom For Human Rights in United Latvia

23 18 18 17 10 8 6 100

115

LATVIA 1 2 5 6 3 4 7

1998

2002

Conservatism, Liberal conservatism

Green politics, Conservatism, Agrarianism

2001

2005

Conservatism, Latvian nationalism, populism

Social democracy, Communism, Centrism, Russian minority politics

116

1. People’s Party Tautas partija 2. Union of Greens and Farmers Zaļo un Zemnieku Savienība 3. New Era Jaunais Laiks 4. Harmony Centre Saskaņas Centrs

5. Coalition Latvia’s First Party and Latvian Way Latvijas Pirmā partija, Latvijas Ceļš 6. For Fatherland and Freedom Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK 7. For Human Rights in United Latvia Par cilvēka tiesībām vienotā Latvijā

2007

1993

Conservative liberalism, Social conservatism, Christian democracy

National conservatism, Latvian nationalism

2007

Democratic socialism, Russian minority politics

117

LITHUANIA Republic of Lithuania Lietuvos Respublika (Lithuanian)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

The strength of the nation lies in unity ANTHEM Lithuania, Our Homeland

POPULATION

3,341,966 2009 estimate Yellow, Green, Red POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1990

141

BG, CZ, EE, GR, IE, HU, LV, MT, PL, PT, SK, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LU, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President Dalia Grybauskaitė (1956) Since 2009 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius (1956) Since 2008

118

23,702 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

DIET MEMBERS 141

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 9/28/2008

EXPIRES 2012

IDEOLOGY Centrism Social democracy Liberalism Liberal conservatism National conservatism Centrism Conservatism

% 31,91 17,73 13,48 11,35 10,64 7,09 2,13

Unicameral Diet

1st chamber

Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Social Democratic Party of Lithuania National Resurrection Party Order and Justice Liberals’ Movement of the Republic of Lithuania Labour Party Liberal and Centre Union Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union New Union (Social Liberals) Independents

45 25 16 15 11 10 8 3 3 1 4 141

119

LITHUANIA 1 2 5 6 3 4 7 8

2003

2001

Centrism

Social democracy

2008

2002

Liberal conservatism, Centrism

National conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Euroscepticism

120

1. Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Tėvynės sąjunga - Lietuvos krikščionys demokratai 2. Social Democratic Party of Lithuania Lietuvos Socialdemokratu Partija 3. National Resurrection Party Tautos Prisikėlimo Partija 4. Order and Justice Tvarka ir teisingumas

5. Liberals’ Movement of the Republic of Lithuania Lietuvos Respublikos Liberalų Sąjūdis 6. Labour Party Darbo Partija 7. Liberal and Centre Union Liberalų ir Centro Sąjunga 8. Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union Lietuvos valstiečių liaudininkų sąjunga

2006

2003

Liberalism, Conservative liberalism

Centrism

2003

2006

Liberalism, Conservative liberalism

Conservatism, Agrarianism

121

LUXEMBURG

MOTTO

NATIONAL COLOURS

POPULATION

We wish to remain what we are Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Großherzogtum Luxemburg (German) ANTHEM Grand-Duché de Luxembourg (French) Our Homeland Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg (Luxembourgish)

502202 2010 estimate Red, White, Blue POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1990 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary constitutional monarchy SIMILAR TO

60 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (1955) Since 2000

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker (1954) Since 1995

122

8,370

CHAMPER OF DEPUTIES MEMBERS 60

DURATION 5 years

LAST ELECTION 7/6/2009

EXPIRES 2014

IDEOLOGY Christian democracy Social democracy Liberalism Green politics National conservatism Communism

% 43,33 21,67 15,00 11,67 6,67 1,67

Unicameral Chamber of Deputies

1st chamber

Christian Social People’s Party Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party Democratic Party The Greens Alternative Democratic Reform Party The Left Red

26 13 9 7 4 1 60

123

LUXEMBURG 1 2 5 6 3 4

1944

1945

Christian democracy, Conservatism

Social democracy, Democratic socialism

1955

1983

Liberalism

Green politics

124

1. Christian Social People’s Party Chrëschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei 2. Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party Lëtzebuerger Sozialistesch Arbechterpartei 3. Democratic Party Demokratesch Partei 4. The Greens Déi Gréng

5. Alternative Democratic Reform Party Alternativ Demokratesch Reformpartei 6. The Left Déi Lénk

1987

1999

National conservatism, Right-wing populism, Euroscepticism

Communism, Democratic socialism

125

MALTA Republic of Malta Repubblika ta’ Malta (Maltese)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

Republic of Malta ANTHEM The Maltese Hymn

POPULATION

413,609 2008 estimate Red, White, Blue POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1974

BG, CZ, EE, GR, IE, HU, LV, LT, PL, PT, SK, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, LU, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President Ġorġ Abela (1948) Since 2009 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi (1953) Since 2006

126

5,994 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBERS 69

DURATION 5 years

LAST ELECTION 9/28/2008

EXPIRES 2013

IDEOLOGY Christian Democracy Democratic Socialism

% 50,72 49,28

Unicameral House of Representatives

1st chamber

Nationalist Party Malta Labour Party

35 34 69

127

MALTA 1 2

1880

1920

Christian Democracy, Conservatism (historically pro-Italian)

Democratic socialism, Social Democracy, Progressivism (historically pro-British)

128

1. Nationalist Party Partit Nazzjonalista 2. Malta Labour Party Partit Laburista

129

NETHERLANDS Kingdom of the Netherlands Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

MOTTO

I will endure ANTHEM The William

NATIONAL COLOURS

POPULATION

Orange

16,615,725 2010 estimate (exl. Suriname and Netherlands Antilles) POLITICIANS

CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1946 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, IT, PL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary federate constitutional monarchy SIMILAR TO

225 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

Beatrix of the Netherlands (1938) Since 1980

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende (1956) Since 2002

130

73,209

FIRST CHAMBER

SECOND CHAMBER

MEMBERS 150

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 71

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 6/10/2007

EXPIRES 2011

LAST ELECTION 29/5/2007

EXPIRES 2011

IDEOLOGY Christian democracy Social democracy Democratic socialism Conservative liberalism National conservatism Green politics Orthodox Protestantism Social liberalism

% 27,33 22,00 16,67 14,67 6,00 4,67 4,00 2,00

IDEOLOGY Christian democracy Social democracy Conservative liberalism Democratic socialism Green politics Orthodox Protestantism Social liberalism, Green politics

% 28,00 18,67 18,67 16,00 5,33 5,33 2,67 1,33

1st Chamber First Chamber

2nd Chamber Second Chamber

Christian Democratic Appeal Labour Party Socialist Party Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party for Freedom and Democracy Party for Freedom GreenLeft ChristianUnion Democrats 66 Party for the Animals Reformed Political Party Independents Senate Fraction

1st chamber

2nd chamber

41 33 25 22 9 7 6 3 2 2

21 14 12 14

150

4 4 2 1 2 1 75

131

NETHERLANDS 1 2 5 6 3 4 7 8

1980

1946

Christian democracy

Social democracy

1971

1948

Democratic socialism

Conservative liberalism

132

1. Christian Democratic Appeal Christen-Democratisch AppĂ¨l 2. Labour Party Partij van de Arbeid 3. Socialist Party Socialistische Partij 4. Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party for Freedom and Democracy Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie

5. Party for Freedom Partij voor de Vrijheid 6. GreenLeft GroenLinks 7. ChristianUnion ChristenUnie 8. Democrats 66 Democraten 66

2006

1989

National conservatism, Economic liberalism, Euroscepticism

Green politics, freedom-loving left

2001

1966

Orthodox Protestantism

Social liberalism, Radical democracy, Progressivism and pragmatism

133

NETHERLANDS 9 10 11

2002

1918

Green politics, Animal rights, Animal welfare

Christian right, Orthodox Reformed

1995

Centre

134

1. Party for the Animals Partij voor de Dieren 2. Reformed Political Party Staatskundig Gereformeerde Partij 3. Independents Senate Fraction Onafhankelijke Senaatsfractie

135

POLAND Republic of Poland Rzeczpospolita Polska (Polish)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

ANTHEM Poland Is Not Yet Lost

POPULATION

38,163,895 2010 estimate White, Red POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1990 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, IT, NL, RO, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

BG, CZ, EE, GR, IE, HU, LV, LT, MT, PT, SK, SI

560 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

President Bronisław Komorowski (1952) Since 2010

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister Donald Tusk (1957) Since 2007

136

68,150

DIET

SENATE

MEMBERS 460

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 100

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 21/10/2007

EXPIRES 2011

LAST ELECTION 21/10/2007

EXPIRES 2011

IDEOLOGY Christian democracy National Conservatism Social democracy Agrarianism

% 45,43 36,09 11,52 6,74

IDEOLOGY Christian democracy National Conservatism

% 60,00 39,00

1st Chamber Diet

2nd Chamber Senate

Civic Platform Law and Justice Left and Democrats Polish Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party German Minority Independents

1st chamber

2nd chamber

209 166 53 31 1

60 39

460

1 100

137

POLAND 1 2 3 4

2001

Christian democracy, Liberal conservatism, Conservative liberalism

National Conservatism, Christian Democracy

2006

1990

Social democracy, Social liberalism

Agrarianism, Centrism, Christian democracy

138

1. Civic Platform Platforma Obywatelska 2. Law and Justice Prawo i Sprawiedliwość, 3. Left and Democrats Lewica i Demokraci, 4. Polish People’s Party Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe,

139

PORTUGAL

MOTTO

Portuguese Republic República Portuguesa (Portuguese) República Pertuesa (Mirandese)

ANTHEM The Portuguese Hymn

NATIONAL COLOURS

The good of the nation

POPULATION

11,317,192 May 2010 estimate Green, Red POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1910 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, LU, MT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

BG, CZ, EE, GR, IE, HU, LV, LT, MT, SK, SI

230 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

President Aníbal Cavaco Silva (1939) Since 2006

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister José Sócrates (1957) Since 2005

140

49,205

ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMBERS 230

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 27/9/2009

EXPIRES 2013

IDEOLOGY Christian democracy Social democracy Socialism Communism

% 53,04 42,17 6,96 6,52

Unicameral Assembly of the Republic

1st chamber

Socialist Party Social Democratic Party Democratic and Social Centre - Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party Left Bloc Democratic Unity Coalition

2nd chamber

97 81 21 16 15 230

141

PORTUGAL 1 2 5 3 4

1973

1974

Social democracy

Christian democracy, Liberal conservatism, Conservatism

1974

1999

Christian democracy, Conservatism, Social conservatism

Socialism, Trotskyism, Communism

142

1. Socialist Party Partido Socialista 2. Social Democratic Party Partido Social Democrata 3. Democratic and Social Centre - People’s Party entro Democrático e Social - Partido Popular 4. Left Bloc Bloco de Esquerda

5. Democratic Unity Coalition Coligação Democrática Unitária

1987

Communism, Marxism-Leninism, Green politics, Eco-socialism

143

ROMANIA Romﾃ｢nia (Romanian)

MOTTO

ANTHEM Awaken, Romanian!

NATIONAL COLOURS

POPULATION

22,215,421 July 2009 estimate Blue, Yellow, Red POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1878

469

HEAD OF THE STATE

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

President Traian Bﾄピescu (1951) Since 2007

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, IT, NL, PL, SI, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

semi-presidential unitary republic SIMILAR TO

None

47,368 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Emil Boc (1966) Since 2008

144

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

CHAMPER OF DEPUTIES

SENATE

MEMBERS 315

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 137

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 30/11/2008

EXPIRES 2012

LAST ELECTION 30/11/2008

EXPIRES 2012

IDEOLOGY Liberal conservatism Social Democracy Conservative liberalism

% 36,51 34,92 20,63

IDEOLOGY Liberal conservatism Social Democracy Conservative liberalism

% 37,23 35,04 20,44

1st Chamber Champer of Deputies

2nd Chamber Senate

Democratic Liberal Party Social Democratic Party National Liberal Party Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania Ethnic minorities parties Conservative Party

1st chamber

2nd chamber

115 110 65 22 18 4 315

51 48 28 9 1 137

145

ROMANIA 1 2 5 3 4

2007

2001

Liberal conservatism, Conservative liberalism

Social Democracy, Democratic Socialism

1991

1990

Conservatism, Social conservatism

Conservative liberalism

146

1. Democratic Liberal Party Partidul Democrat-Liberal 2. Social Democratic Party Partidul Social Democrat 3. Conservative Party Partidul Conservator 4. National Liberal Party Partidul Naţional Liberal

5. Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania Uniunea Democrată Maghiară din România

1989

Interests of ethnic Hungarians in Romania, Székely regionalism, Liberal conservatism

147

SLOVAKIA Slovak Republic Slovenská republika (Slovak)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

ANTHEM Lightning Over the Tatras

POPULATION

5,379,455 2001 estimate White, Red, Blue POLITICIANS BIRTH YEAR

1990

150

BG, CZ, EE, GR, IE, HU, LV, LT, PL, PT, MT, SI

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, MT, PT, SK, SE GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

President Ivan Gašparovič (1941) Since 2004 HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Robert Fico (1964) Since 2006

148

35,863 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS 150

DURATION 5 years

LAST ELECTION 17/5/2006

EXPIRED 12/5/2010

IDEOLOGY Social democracy Conservatism Ultranationalism Hungarian minority interests National conservatism Christian democracy

% 33,33 20,67 13,33 13,33 10,00 9,33

Unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic

1st chamber

Direction – Social Democracy Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Slovak National Party Party of the Hungarian Coalition People’s Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia Christian Democratic Movement

50 31 20 20 15 14 150

149

SLOVAKIA 1 2 5 6 3 4

1989

2000

Social democracy, Left-wing populism

Conservatism, Christian democracy, Classical liberalism

1989

1998

Ultranationalism, Far right

Hungarian minority interests, Christian democracy

150

1. Direction – Social Democracy Smer – sociálna demokracia 2. Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party Slovenská demokratická a kresťanská únia – Demokratická strana 3. Slovak National Party Slovenská národná strana, SNS 4. Party of the Hungarian Coalition Magyar Koalíció Pártja

5. People’s Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia Ľudová strana – Hnutie za demokratické Slovensko 6. Christian Democratic Movement Kresťanskodemokratické hnutie

1991

1990

National conservatism, Right-wing populism

Christian democracy, Social conservatism

151

SLOVENIA Republic of Slovenia Republika Slovenija (Slovene)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

ANTHEM A Toast

POPULATION

2,054,199 2009 estimate Green, White POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1992 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, IT, NL, PL, RO, ES, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary republic SIMILAR TO

BG, CZ, EE, GR, IE, HU, LV, LT, MT, SK, SI HEAD OF THE STATE

130 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

President Danilo T端rk (1952) Since 2007 CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Borut Pahor (1963) Since 2008

152

15,802 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

NATIONAL COUNCIL

MEMBERS 150

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 71

LAST ELECTION 21/8/2008

EXPIRES 2012

MEMBERS ARE NOT ELECTED DIRECTLY BY THE POPULATION

IDEOLOGY Social democracy Conservatism Social liberalism Single-issue politics Nationalism Conservatism Social liberalism

% 32,22 31,11 10,00 7,78 5,56 5,56 5,56

DURATION 5 years

1st Chamber National Assembly

2nd Chamber National Council

Social Democrats Slovenian Democratic Party Zares – new politics Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia Slovenian National Party Slovenian People’s Party Liberal Democracy of Slovenia Hungarian and Italian national communities

1st chamber

2nd chamber

29 28 9 7 5 5 5 2 90

The council is meant to represent different interest groups in the country . The council has 40 members, 22 representatives of local interests, 6 representatives of non-commercial activities, 4 representatives of employers, 4 of employees and 4 representatives of farmers, crafts, trades and independent professionals

153

SLOVENIA 1 2 5 6 3 4 7

1993

1989

Social democracy, Third Way

Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Christian democracy

2007

1991

Social liberalism, Liberalism, Social democracy

Single-issue politics, Centrism, Social justice

154

1. Social Democrats Socialni demokrati 2. Slovenian Democratic Party Slovenska demokratska stranka 3. Zares â&#x20AC;&#x201C; new politics Zares â&#x20AC;&#x201C; nova politika 4. Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia Demokraticna stranka upokojencev Slovenije

5. Slovenian National Party Slovenska nacionalna stranka 6. Slovenian Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party Slovenska ljudska stranka 7. Liberal Democracy of Slovenia Liberalna demokracija Slovenije

1998

1994

Nationalism, Left-wing nationalism, Populism, Euroscepticism

Conservatism, Christian democracy

2007

Social liberalism, Liberalism, Social democracy

155

SPAIN Kingdom of Spain Reino de España (Spanish)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO

Further Beyond ANTHEM Royal March

POPULATION

45,989,016 2010 estimate Red, Yellow POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1978 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, IT, NL, PL, RO, SI, UK GOVERNMENT

parliamentary devolved constitutional monarchy SIMILAR TO

None

609 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

King Juan Carlos I of Spain (1938) Since 1975

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (1960) Since 2004

156

75,516

CONGRESS OF DEPUTIES

SENATE

MEMBERS 150

DURATION 4 years

MEMBERS 71

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 9/3/2008

EXPIRES 3/2012

LAST ELECTION 9/3/2008

EXPIRES 3/2012

IDEOLOGY Social democracy Conservatism Catalan nationalism Basque nationalism Catalan independentism Galician nationalism Liberalism Eurocommunism

% 48,29 44,00 2,86 2,00 0,86 0,57 0,57 0,57

IDEOLOGY Social democracy Conservatism Eurocommunism Catalan nationalism

% 37,88 38,26 1,52 2,27

1st Chamber Congress of Deputies

2nd Chamber Senate

Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party People’s Party Convergence and Union Basque Nationalist Party Republican Left of Catalonia Galician Nationalist Bloc United Left Canarian Coalition Navarre Yes Union, Progress and Democracy Catalan Agreement of Progress Members appointed by the regional legislatures

1st chamber

2nd chamber

169 154 10 6 3 2 2 2 1 1

88 101 4 2

350

12 56 264

157

SPAIN 1 2 5 6 3 4

1879

1976

Social democracy,Social progressivism

Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Christian democracy

1986

1978

Eurocommunism, Communism, Democratic socialism, Green politics

Catalan nationalism, Conservatism, Centrism, Christian democracy, Liberalism

158

1. Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party Partido Socialista Obrero Español 2. People’s Party Partido Popular 3. United Left Izquierda Unida 4. Convergence and Union Convergència i Unió

5. Basque Nationalist Party Partido Nacionalista Vasco/Euzko Alderdi Jeltzalea 6. Union, Progress and Democracy Unión, Progreso y Democracia 7. Republican Left of Catalonia Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya 8. Galician Nationalist Bloc Bloque Nacionalista Galego

1895

2007

Basque nationalism, Christian democracy

Progressivism, Laicism, Social liberalism, Centralism

1931

1982

Catalan independentism, Catalan republicanism, Social democracy, Socialism, Left-wing nationalism

Galician nationalism, socialism, pro-European

159

SPAIN 1 2 5 6 3 4

1993

2004

Liberalism, Canarian nationalism

Basque nationalism

2000

THIS COALLITION HAS NO LOGO

Social democracy, Catalanism, Left, Republicanism, Democratic Socialism, Ecologism, Communism

160

1. Canarian Coalition Coalici贸n Canaria 2. Navarre Yes Nafarroa Bai 3. Catalan Agreement of Progress Entesa Catalana de Progr茅s

161

SWEDEN Kingdom of Sweden Konungariket Sverige (Swedish)

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO ANTHEM Thou ancient, Thou free

POPULATION

9,354,462 2009 estimate Blue, Yellow POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1905 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Unicameral SIMILAR TO

CY, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, LV, LT, LU, MT, PT, SK, GOVERNMENT

parliamentary unitary constitutional monarchy SIMILAR TO

349 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (1946) Since 1973

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (1965) Since 2006

162

26,804

DIET MEMBERS 349

DURATION 4 years

LAST ELECTION 17/9/2006

EXPIRES 19/9/2010

IDEOLOGY % Social democracy Liberal conservatism Social liberalism, Liberalism Christian democracy Socialism Green politics

37,25 27,79 8,31 8,02 6,88 6,3 5,44

Unicameral Diet

1st chamber

Swedish Social Democratic Party Moderate Party Centre Party Liberal Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party Christian Democrats Left Party Green Party

130 97 29 28 24 22 19 349

163

SWEDEN 1 2 5 6 3 4 7

1889

1904

Social democracy

Liberal conservatism

1913

1902

Social liberalism, Centrism, Agrarianism, Libertarianism

Liberalism, Social liberalism

164

1. Swedish Social Democratic Party Sveriges socialdemokratiska arbetareparti 2. Moderate Party Moderata samlingspartiet 3. Centre Party Centerpartiet 4. Liberal People’s Party Folkpartiet liberalerna

5. Christian Democrats Kristdemokraterna 6. Left Party Vänsterpartiet 7. Green Party Miljöpartiet de Gröna

1964

1917

Christian democracy

Socialism, Feminism

1981

Green politics

165

UNITED KINGDOM United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

NATIONAL COLOURS

MOTTO God and my right ANTHEM God Save the Queen

POPULATION

62,041,708 2010 estimate Red, White, Blue POLITICIANS CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Since 1801 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Bicameral SIMILAR TO

AT, BE, CZ, FR, IT, NL, PL, RO, SI, ES GOVERNMENT

parliamentary federate and devolved constitutional monarchy SIMILAR TO

None

1386 AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

HEAD OF THE STATE

Queen Elizabeth II (1926) Since 1952

CITIZENS PER POLITICIAN

HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

AT BE BG CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE UK

Prime Minister David Cameron (1966) Since 2010

166

44,763

HOUSE OF COMMONS

HOUSE OF LORDS

MEMBERS 650

DURATION 5 years

MEMBERS 707

LAST ELECTION 6/5/2010

EXPIRES 11/6/2015

LORDS ARE APPOINTED WITHOUT ELECTIONS

IDEOLOGY Democratic socialism Conservatism Liberalism Unionism Scottish independence Unification of Ireland Democratic socialism Social democracy

% 39,69 47,08 8,92 1,23 0,92 0,77 0,46 0,46

IDEOLOGY Democratic socialism Conservatism Liberalism Populism

% 32,31 28,46 10,92 0,31

1st Chamber House of Commons

2nd Chamber House of Lords

Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats Democratic Unionist Scottish National Party Sinn FĂŠin Plaid Cymru Social Democratic and Labour Party Green Party of England and Wales Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Independent Speaker UK Independence Party Crossbenchers Lords Spiritual Other Membership of the House of Lords is not attained by election, instead made up of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal. The Lords Spiritual are twentysix senior bishops of the Church of England who hold office by virtue of their ecclesiastical role

1st chamber

2nd chamber

258 306 57 8 6 5 3 3 1 1 1 1

210 185 71

2 182 26 33 650 707 within the established church. The Lords Temporal make up the rest of the membership; of these, the majority are life peers who are appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.

167

UNITED KINGDOM 1 2 5 6 3 4

1900

1912

Democratic socialism, Social democracy, Third Way, Neoliberalism

Conservatism, British unionism, Neoliberalism

1988

1971

Liberalism

Unionism, National conservatism, Social conservatism, Christianity (Protestant, Fundamentalist, Evangelical)

168

1. Labour Party

5. Scottish National Party

2. Conservative Party

6. Sinn FĂŠin

3. Liberal Democrats

7. Plaid Cymru

4. Democratic Unionist

8. Social Democratic and Labour Party

1934

1970

Scottish independence, Scottish nationalism, Civic nationalism, Social democracy

Unification of Ireland, Irish republicanism, Left-wing nationalism, Democratic socialism

1925

1970

Democratic socialism, Social Democracy, Welsh independence, Welsh nationalism

Social democracy, Irish nationalism

169

UNITED KINGDOM 9 10 11

1990

1970

Green politics, Eco-socialism

Liberalism, Non-Sectarianism

1993

Populism, Euroscepticism, Conservatism, National conservatism

170

9. Green Party of England and Wales 10. Alliance Party of Northern Ireland 11. UK Independence Party

171

172

ARTICLE Greek Freedom as understood by Michail Oustamanolakis Amsterdam, 5 July 2010 Where does freedom stop? “Your freedom stops where the freedom of the other starts.” — Otto von Bismarck (1815–1898) Every human lives in two “dimensions:” with others—together composing society—and on their own. If we agree that the basic foundation of democracy is equality, it automatically means that every citizen who lives in a democracy, every citizen regardless of sex, race, social status, religious faith, is granted the same rights and the same limitations (murder is not allowed for instance). This means that the personal freedom which is provided by a democracy, does not stop where the freedom of the fellow citizen starts, simply because, both personal freedoms are identical. If we agree with Otto von Bismarck, that one’s freedom stops where the freedom of the other starts, it means we accept that some are entitled to more privileges and freedoms than others.(1) It is thus that racism is possible, and discrimination as well as segregationary policies can be applied in democracies that subscribe to an attitude resembling Bismarck’s perspective of Freedom.

What does equality mean then? I think that equality does not mean equality between moral and immoral citizens; I think it means equal opportunities for all citizens, even between the moral and immoral citizens.

The European democracies that we currently live in are not true democratic systems; instead they are a mixture of many political systems of which democracy is just one. From one view they are oligarchic, since only a small group of wealthy people or people with public exposure have the right/ability to be elected, through the doors open to them by their money and connections. In another view, in many countries it is nepotistic, since the same families seem to govern for decades. In yet another view they are authoritarian, since the public has neither involvement in the decision making process nor the ability to voice opinions. There is also no public control over the governance. Governments are left free to do whatever they want, without asking or anybody about anything.

How are politics is perceived? A passive view of the world sees community as something that simply is. In the same view, one would say that discussions about politics do not matter, since the world is already established in one way or another, and individuals seem unable to effect any change. This view comes true only when one believes in it, and treats it like a spectator sport, watching politics on TV or from the internet. I would like to focus on the case of my home country, Greece, and explain how politics is perceived there. Of course my explanation is from my own point

173

of view and understanding, and is therefore subjective.

A Disappointment First of all, we should define what Greece is to the rest of Europe at the moment. At this moment in history there is a general disappointment towards Greece, created by the news reports coming out of the country. Recently, the world media reported Greece as a “failed economy” of Europe, due to high public debt. The media is known to have a tendency of depicting a problem as being much bigger than it actually is in order to grab attention and sell media airtime. What happened in the end was that the value of Euro dropped not because of the Greek economy, but because the news kept reporting it as a massive problem. The more the news was talking about it, the more the value of euro was dropping. The moment they stopped talking about it, euro started gaining back its value. It is also important to mention, that the Greeks are people who do not really hide their problems, instead they communicate openly about their problems and they do generate discussion about them. However, the debt of Greece is a much smaller problem than what has been shown in the international media. I do not ignore the problem, but I do blame the media for causing the actual damage that Greece is being blamed for. In addition to that,

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the news said nothing about the external debt of other Eurozone countries. Luxembourg, the country with the highest salaries in the world, is also is the country with the world’s highest external debt, which is at 3854% of the annual GDP of the country. Luxembourg with 3854%, Ireland with 1004% and the Netherlands with 470% are the top three countries with the highest external debts in the Eurozone. (2) Greece however, is the 8th in the Eurozone with 167%. This is very high debt, but it is not comparable next to the 23 times bigger 3854% (3) of Luxembourg. It is very frustrating, that the news reports only one side of the story. On the Greek media it was discussed whether this was an artificial problem made from European Union that would destroy the average Greek salary. This would create the opportunity for Europe to have a cheap labor force with high educational standards, since most of the Greek labor force (excluding immigrants) has a university diploma. Another discussion was questioning if it is a German method of obtaining Greek islands (since it was proposed from some German politicians that Greece should sell some islands to reduce the debt). And in another discussion it was asked if the European Union wanted to increase the taxes and use Greece as a scapegoat (a person or group that is blamed for the sins or wrongdoings of others).

Common History I do not know the exact reason why the news has focused in such detail about the Greek debt, but I do believe that it has to do with a general disappointment in those who gave birth to the Western way of thinking. Europe is quite a diverse landscape with an enormous variety of cultures, and it was in need of a great common history, a common ground inspired by great thinkers and philosophers. Greek culture has certainly been one of the leading exporters of philosophical thinkers to the world, and it was also what Europe needed to build such a common history; one that starting from a great past, is moving towards a great future. However Greeceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debt is an absolutely modern phenomenon. Back in the 50s Greece had a problem with wide-spread poverty. Soon enough however, with booming tourism in the 60s and 70s, the growing shipping industry (Greece remains one of the largest shipping powers in the world), including a Greek expertise in ship construction, and the extensive variety of locally produced petroleum products are some of the factors behind the rise of wealth and prosperity in the last few decades. In the early 70s, the country was already one of the wealthiest countries in Europe (in terms of quality of life), and the wealthiest in the region. In the early 80s Greece joined European Union, and a new source of wealth was accessible to the state, that being EU funds. A lot of

this money was not invested in infrastructure. Instead it was charged to rather small but overpriced improvements of existing infrastructure which is a way to perform money laundering under the name of the law. The Greek politicians and the lack of a common orientation in politics is what lead Greece to have the high public debt that it has today. Some Greek citizens are responsible for avoiding taxation, but politicians are much more responsible for not performing their jobs well, and investing funds and energy towards shortterm policies gains, that in the end, turn out to be very expensive. This is because politicians haven taken advantage of their positions, and their motivations are towards their own selfinterest.

What is freedom to the Greeks? Getting back what was mentioned earlier in the article, the European democracies are oligarchic, nepotistic, authoritarian and without control from the public. In the case of the Greek democracy (referring to its current form of governance) the system is oligarchic and nepotistic, however it is somehow not as authoritarian as in Northern Europe, and the public seem to have been able to take control over public issues they find important. The Greek citizens seem to enjoy freedom in a much bigger sense compared to some other

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European countries. This is exactly because of the peculiarity of the Greek mentality, which always demands freedom. This of course, can generate other types of problems... For example, according to European law, no one can produce alcohol for his own use. Even if one is a producer, one is obliged to buy the self-made alcohol, and pay a tax to the government on it. Even though this also applies in the case of Greece, it would, of course, never happen. Similarly, according to Dutch law, in the Netherlands a farmer is not allowed to sell his products to anybody besides a certified re-seller. If such law were ever to be enforced in Greece, the government would collapse the very same day (due to rioting). It is the Greek mentality that demands a certain quality and amount of freedom, and the Greeks do fight for it. Greece was founded in 1830 with the motto “Freedom or Death” and the Greek flag is modelled after the number of syllables in this phrase. Additionally, the national anthem of Greece, is the poem “Hymn to Liberty” by Dionisios Solomos (1798-1857). This poem—which is the longest anthem of the world—glorifies and praises Freedom. The Greeks, in their demand for freedom, often ignore completely the authority of the state, and they are aware that often what they are doing is classified as illegal. But in their minds they are protecting the self, the family and their property from any possible danger.

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One of the great qualities of Greek people is this specific demand for freedom; however sometimes the misuse of this certain quality can lead to problems like simple quarrels and family fights. Another more complicated problem generated by this type of Freedom, is that many officials tend to treat public property as if they were the sole owners, and they feel threatened when others use the same public property. This specific quality can turn out to be one of the negative qualities of the Greeks. Often, citizens are not involved in the actual decision making process of governments, but the Greeks are constantly trying to find ways to get involved on their own terms. Demonstrations, strikes and creative improvised guerilla methods against the government, are extremely popular methods of public influence over the Greek government. For instance, the previous government was in favor of the creation of private universities, which would actually be illegitimate according to the Greek constitution. Policymakers tried in their planning to change the constitution in order to be able to do this. The level of acceptance in the public was so negative, that it never happened. The leading argument against university privatization is that education will become even more unfair, because those who cannot afford the private universities will have to go to lower level universities. There is also concern that the

Why is politics important? government would perform extremely big education budget cuts and fire university personnel, arguing that this is because there are less students in public universities. The reaction to this proposal was extremely negative. There was a huge wave of demonstrations, strikes from teachers, students squatted their schools (in some cases as long as three months), students performed radio and television broadcast intrusions and so on. It is the right of the citizens to complain which stopped the enforcement of the proposed law. The negative side is that there is so much energy and time being wasted from both sides, that at the end the productivity levels, both the government and the citizens are very low. Also, the discussion at the end turns out to be a yes or no, and that does not generate a conclusion that would create something constructive that both sides could benefit. I would like to add that the current on-going financial crisis, is not due to this attitude towards freedom. It is due to the previous government, which was highly nepotistic, corrupted, and they had some short term policies that were changing almost every year with no particular reason. New Democracy, the previous ruling party, had the most expensive governmental costs than any other party.

The Greek citizens in their mentality are not politically passive. In fact they are so active in politics, that many of them are getting involved even at the street level, by participating in demonstrations and performing many creative protests. I do not want to imply that Greeks simply enjoy the chaos of political action, I just want to clarify that Greeks are people who constantly fight to demand freedom. Sometimes this freedom is considered absolutely total, as demonstrated by the individual who parked his car in the designated spot for the limousine of the prime minister. Such behavior is not found in Northern Europe, where the citizens are generally following the rules. By following all the rules without arguing about the unfair ones, we slowly surrender a part of our personal freedom, and this is what is happening to a large extent in Northern Europe. We tend to think Northern Europe as a location with open minded and free societies; however the rules and regulations are quite many. Politics are the strategies we employ to accomplish our goals, and they are very important to an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, especially if choices will be made FOR him rather than at his discretion. However, I do acknowledge that a misunderstanding of politics, in combination with the lack of ethics, as well as taking advantage of how we perceive Freedom, can lead to serious problems, such as terrorism.

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In a world with freedom of speech and equal opportunities for all, even terrorism is allowed to exist as a form of protest, argument or even ideology. In the case of Greece, domestic terrorism is on the rise. This regional terrorism mostly has political motivations and sometimes refers to economic issues. It has absolutely no religious background.

Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957) once wrote:

Judging from news reports, it seems that Greek terrorism is against nepotism and corruption. I believe that if there wasn’t any nepotism, and corruption as such, there wouldn’t be any terrorist threats. Instead of fighting terrorism we should fight corruption and nepotism first. To me it seems that the fight against terrorism is not to protect innocent lives, but to continue to support nepotism and corruption.

However, I do not allow politics to restrict my personal freedom. I would like to end this text, with another phrase By Nikos Kazantzakis which I believe captures my perspective towards politics and life.

I consider politics as a very important issue. I am not that interested in the results of some decision making process or to support fanatically some political ideology. Instead, I consider politics important because it is politics that positions me in a world which I share with others. I do not see politics as a solution or a problem. I see politics as a platform to accomplish something constructive which I feel is important to participate in. With politics we can achieve big projects that man would have never completed if each individual was operating on his own.

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“We know that the future does not depend on us. However, we must act as if the future depended on us. This is the only way that big projects were made so far. This is the only way the future can be affected by us. So, tragic optimism instead of pessimism”. (4)

“I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.”

References

What does the Greek flag mean?

1. <http://www.topapi.gr/index.php?option= com_content&task=view&id=738&Item id=250> Accessed on 5 July 2010

The blue and white colors represent the sky, the sea, and the houses of the Greek landscape. The cross depicts the Christian values of the founding fathers. The nine stripes, -which I personally find the most interesting elementrepresent , represent the phrase “Freedom or Death” “Eleftheria i Thanatos” “Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος” This phrase can be split up into nine syllables, thus the nine stripes.

2.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ countries_by_external_debt> Accessed on 5 July 2010 3. Luxemburg has the highest external debt in the world in relation of its GDP. The actual debt of the country was $1.994 trillion on 30/6/2009. Ireland had external bebt of $2.287 trillion on 30/9/2009 and the Netherlands had external debt of $3.733 trillion on 31/12/2009. The nominal GDP of these coutries, respectively is (in million USD) $46.510, $226.800 and $799.000. The external debt of Greece was #553 trillion on 30/6/2009. The GDP was $338.300. Figures by the CIA World Factbook. GDP figures form the 2009 list. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/> Accessed on 5 July 2010 4. Ξέρουμε πως τον μέλλον δεν εξαρτάται από εμάς. Ομώς πρέπει να ενεργούμε ως αν το μέλλον εξαρτιόταν από εμάς. Έτσι μονάχα έγιναν ως τώρα τα μεγάλα έργα. Έτσι μονάχα το μέλλον μπορεί να επηρεαστεί κι από εμάς . «Τραγική αισιοδοξία λοιπόν κι όχι απαισιοδοξία.» Νίκος Καζαντάκης

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;As soon as liberty is complete it dies in anarchyâ&#x20AC;? Will durant (1885-1981)

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GLOSSARY General terms

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010 Anarchy Anarchy (from Greek: ἀναρχίᾱ anarchíā, “without ruler”) may refer to any of the following: - “No rulership or enforced authority.” - “A social state in which there is no governing person or group of people, but each individual has absolute liberty (without the implication of disorder.) But is bound by a social code .” - “Absence of government; a state of lawlessness due to the absence or inefficiency of the supreme power; political disorder.” - “Absence or non-recognition of authority and order in any given sphere.” - “Acting without waiting for instructions or official permission... The root of anarchism is the single impulse to do it yourself: everything else follows from this.” Bicameralism In government, bicameralism (latin bi, two + camera, chamber) is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. Thus, a bicameral parliament or bicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of two chambers or houses. Bicameralism is an essential and defining feature of the classical notion of mixed government. Bicameral legislatures tend to require a concurrent majority to pass legislation. Bureaucracy Bureaucracy is the combined organizational structure, procedures, protocols, and set of regulations in place to manage activity, usually in large organizations. As opposed to adhocracy, it is often represented by standardized procedure (rule-following) that guides the execution of most or all processes within the

body; formal division of powers; hierarchy; and relationships, intended to anticipate needs and improve efficiency. Country A country is a geographical region considered to be the physical territory of a sovereign state, or to a smaller, or former, political division within a geographical region. Usually, but not always, a country coincides with a sovereign territory and is associated with a state, nation or government. Elections An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the executive and judiciary, and for regional and local government. This process is also used in many other private and business organizations, from clubs to voluntary associations and corporations. European Union The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states which are located primarily in Europe. Committed to regional integration, the EU was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 upon the foundations of the European Communities. With over 500 million citizens, the EU combined generated an estimated 28% share (US$ 16.5 trillion) of the nominal and about

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21% (US$14.8 trillion) of the PPP gross world product in 2009. Government A government is the organization, or agency through which a political unit exercises its authority, controls and administers public policy, and directs and controls the actions of its members or subjects. Head of Government Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled Prime Minister, President of the Government, Premier, etc. In presidential republics or absolute monarchies, the head of government may be the same person as the head of state, who is often called respectively a president or a monarch. Head of State Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes personifying the continuity and legitimacy of the state and exercising the political powers, functions and duties granted to the head of state in the country’s constitution and laws. In nation states the head of state is often thought of as the official “leader” of the nation.

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Ideology An ideology is a set of ideas that discusses one’s goals, expectations, and actions. An ideology can be thought of as a comprehensive vision, as a way of looking at things (compare world view), as in common sense (see Ideology in everyday society below) and several philosophical tendencies (see Political ideologies), or a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to all members of this society (a “received consciousness” or product of socialization). The main purpose behind an ideology is to offer change in society, and adherence to a set of ideals where conformity already exists, through a normative thought process. Ideologies are systems of abstract thought (as opposed to mere ideation) applied to public matters and thus make this concept central to politics. Implicitly every political tendency entails an ideology whether or not it is propounded as an explicit system of thought. It is how society sees things. Parliamentary system Look also on pages 187-189 A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive branch are drawn from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined. In such a system, the head of government is both de facto chief executive and chief legislator.

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010 Politics Politics (from Greek πολιτικος, [politikós]: «citizen», «civilian»), is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to behavior within civil governments, but politics has been observed in other group interactions, including corporate, academic, and religious institutions. It consists of “social relations involving authority or power” and refers to the regulation of a political unit, and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy. (Sovereign) State A sovereign state (commonly simply referred to as a state) is a political association with effective internal and external sovereignty over a geographic area and population which is not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state. While in abstract terms a sovereign state can exist without being recognised by other sovereign states, unrecognised states will often find it hard to exercise full treaty-making powers and engage in diplomatic relations with other sovereign states. Unicameralism Unicameralism is the practice of having only one legislative or parliamentary chamber.

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GLOSSARY

of the Legislature bodies Note: Some countries address their legislature as the specifical body of the country whereas the rest of the countries address their legislature generally. Assembly of the Republic (Portugal) The Assembly of the Republic (Portuguese: Assembleia da República is the Portuguese parliament. It is located in a historical building in Lisbon, referred to as Palácio de São Bento, the site of an old Benedictine monastery. The Palace of São Bento was formerly known as the seat of the National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional) during the Estado Novo regime. Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania) Chamber of deputies is the name given to a legislative body such as the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or can refer to a unicameral legislature. Chamber of Representatives (Belgium) The Belgian Chamber of Representatives (Dutch: Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers (help·info), French: la Chambre des Représentants, German: Abgeordnetenkammer) is one of the two chambers in the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, the other being the Senate. It is considered to be the “lower house” of the Federal Parliament. Congress of Deputies (Spain) The Spanish Congress of Deputies (Spanish: Congreso de los Diputados) is the lower house of the Cortes Generales, Spain’s legislative branch. It has 350 members, elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation in constituencies matching the Spanish provinces using the D’Hondt method. Deputies serve four-year terms. The President of the Congress of Deputies is the analogue to a

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010

Speaker and presides over debates in Spain’s lower chamber of parliament. Diet (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden) In politics, a diet is a formal deliberative assembly. The term is mainly used historically for the general assembly of Imperial Estates of the Holy Roman Empire and for the legislative body of certain countries. Federal Council (Austria) The Federal Council of Austria or Bundesrat is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Austria. Federal Council (Germany) The German Bundesrat (literally “Federal Council”) is a legislative body that represents the sixteen Länder (federal states) of Germany at the federal level. It has its seat at the former Prussian House of Lords in Berlin. Federal Diet (Germany) The Bundestag (Federal Diet) is the lower house of the parliament of Germany. It was established with Germany’s constitution of 1949 (the Grundgesetz) and is the successor of the earlier Reichstag. Its current President is Norbert Lammert. First Chamber (Netherlands) Wikipedia redirects to Bicameralism (p.183) House of Commons (United Kingdom) The House of Commons is the name of the elected lower house of the bicameral

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parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada and historically was the name of the lower houses of Ireland and North Carolina. Roughly equivalent bodies in other countries which were once British colonies include the United States House of Representatives, the Australian House of Representatives, and the New Zealand House of Representatives. House of Lords (United Kingdom) The House of Lords (commonly referred to as “the Lords” and also known as House of Peers for ceremonial purposes) is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom’s national legislature. Parliament comprises the Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as “the Commons”), and the Lords. The House of Lords, like the House of Commons, assembles in the Palace of Westminster. House of Representatives (Cyprus, Ireland, Malta) House of Representatives is the name of any of many legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national states. In some countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often called a “senate”. In other countries, the House of Representatives is the sole chamber of a unicameral legislature. The functioning of a house of representatives can vary greatly from country to country, and depends on whether a country has a parliamentary or a presidential system. Members of

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a house of representatives are typically apportioned according to population rather than geography. National Assembly (Bulgaria, France, Hungary) The National Assembly is either a legislature, or the lower house of a bicameral legislature in some countries. The best known National Assembly, and the first legislature to be known by this title, was that established during the French Revolution in 1789, known as the Assemblée nationale. Consequently, the name is particularly common in Francophone countries, but is also found in some Commonwealth countries. In Germany, a Nationalversammlung was elected following the revolutions of 1848-1849 and 1918-1919, to be replaced by a permanent parliament (Reichstag) later. The legislature of the Estado Novo regime in Portugal was dubbed National Assembly, while the Corporative Assembly was a purely advisory chamber. It was also the name of the legislature during France’s First Republic and the Consulate, and since 1946 has been the lower house of the French parliament, first under the Fourth Republic, and from 1958, the Fifth Republic. National Council (Austria) The National Council (German: Nationalrat) is one of the two houses of the Austrian parliament. According to the constitution, the National Council and the complementary Federal Council are peers. As a practical matter, the National Council is decidedly more powerful, though it is frequently described as the lower house.

National Council of the Slovak Republic (Slovakia) The National Council of the Slovak Republic (Slovak: Národná rada Slovenskej republiky or just Národná rada), abbreviated to NR SR, is the national parliament of Slovakia. It is unicameral, and consists of 150 MPs, who are elected by universal suffrage under proportional representation every four years. Parliament (Denmark, Finland) A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French parlement, the action of parler (to speak): a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which such a discussion took place. It acquired its modern meaning as it came to be used for the body of people (in an institutional sense) who would meet to discuss matters of state. Parliament of the Greeks (Greece) The Hellenic Parliament (Greek: Βουλή των Ελλήνων; transliterated Vouli (also Boule) ton Ellinon) is the Parliament of Greece, located in the Parliament House (Old Royal Palace), overlooking Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece. It is a unicameral legislature of 300 members, elected for a four-year term. During 1844-1863 and 1927-1935 the parliament was bicameral with an upper house, the Senate and a lower house, which retained the name Vouli. Several important Greek statesmen served as Speakers of the Hellenic Parliament.

Second Chamber (Netherlands) Wikipedia redirects to Bicameralism (p.183) Senate (Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Poland, Romania, Spain) A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a legislature or parliament. There have been many such bodies in history, since senate means the assembly of the eldest and wiser members of the society and ruling class. Two of the first official senates were the Spartan Gerousia (Γερουσία) and the Roman Senate. Senate of the Republic (Italy) The Senate of the Republic (Italian: Senato della Repubblica) is the upper house of the Parliament of Italy. It was established in its current form on 8 May 1948, but it existed during the monarchy as Senato del Regno, (the “Senate of the Kingdom”), continuing from the Subalpine Parliament of Piedmont established on 8 May 1848. State Assembly (Estonia) Redirect to Legislative Assembly: Legislative Assembly is the name given in some countries to either a legislature, or to one of its branch. The name is used by a number of member-states of the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as a number of Latin American countries.

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GLOSSARY of ideologies

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010 Agrarianism Agrarianism and agrarian have two meanings. One refers to a social philosophy or political philosophy which stresses the moral superiority of a rural life based on farming, as opposed to the supposed corruption of city life, with its banks and factories. Thomas Jefferson was a famous representative agrarian. Alter-globalization Alter-globalization (also known as alternative globalization, alter-mundialization—from the French “altermondialisme”—or the global justice movement) is the name of a social movement that supports global cooperation and interaction, but which opposes the negative effects of economic globalization, feeling that it often works to the detriment of, or does not adequately promote, human values such as environmental and climate protection, economic justice, labor protection, protection of indigenous cultures and human rights. The name may have been derived from a popular slogan of the movement: ‘Another world is possible’, which came out of the World Social Forum. “The alter-globalization movement is a cooperative movement designed to protest the direction and perceived negative economic, political, social, cultural and ecological consequences of neoliberal globalization”.[2] Many alter-globalists, unlike anti-globalists, seek to avoid the “disestablishment of local economies and disastrous humanitarian consequences”. Most members of this movement shun the label “anti-globalization” as pejorative and incorrect since they actively support human activity on a global scale and do not oppose

economic globalization per se. Instead they see their movement as an alternative to what they term neo-liberal globalization in which international institutions (World Trade Organisation, World Bank, International Monetary Fund etc.) and major corporations devote themselves to enriching the developed world while giving little or no attention to the detrimental effects of their actions on the people and environments of less developed countries, countries whose governments are often too weak or too corrupt to resist or regulate them. This is not to be confused with proletarian internationalism as put forth by communists in that alter-globalists do not necessarily oppose the free market, but a subset of free-market practices characterized by certain business attitudes and political policies that often lead to violations of human rights. Animal rights nimal rights, also referred to as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings. Advocates approach the issue from different philosophical positions, but agree that animals should be viewed as non-human persons and members of the moral community. They argue that human beings should stop seeing other sentient beings as property—not even as property to be treated kindly.

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Animal welfare Animal welfare is the physical and psychological state of non-human animals. The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights. Anti-capitalism Anti-capitalism describes a wide variety of movements, ideas, and attitudes which oppose capitalism. Anti-capitalists, in the strict sense of the word, are those who wish to completely replace capitalism with another system. Anti-corruption No wikipedia article Antiglobalism Wikipedia redirects to anti-globalization movement The anti-globalization movement is critical of the globalization of corporate capitalism. The movement is also commonly referred to as the global justice movement, alter-globalization movement, anti-corporate globalization movement, or movement against neoliberal globalization. Anti-Turkish Sentiment Wikipedia redirects to Anti-Turkism Anti-Turkism, Turkophobia, Turcophobia or anti-Turkish sentiment is the hostility towards Turkish people, Turkish culture, the Ottoman Empire (Turkish Empire) and the Republic of Turkey.

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Antiziganism Antiziganism or Anti-Romanyism is hostility, prejudice or racism directed at the Romani people, also known as Gypsies. Basque nationalism Basque nationalism is a political movement advocating for either further political autonomy or, chiefly, full independence of the Greater Basque Country. As a whole, support for Basque nationalism is stronger in the Spanish autonomous Basque region and northwest Navarre, whereas in the French Basque Country support is minority. Bavarian regionalism No wikipedia article British unionism British unionism is a political ideology, or perception, supporting the sovereignty and unity of the United Kingdom. Bulgarian nationalism Wikipedia redirects to Greater Bulgaria Greater Bulgaria is term to identify the territory associated with a historical national state and a modern Bulgarian irredentist nationalist movement which would include most of Macedonia, Thrace and Moesia

GLOSSARY of ideologies

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010 Canarian nationalism Canarian nationalism is a political movement that encourages the national consciousness of the Canarian people. The term includes several ideological trends, ranging from the right to self-determination (and complete independence from Spain) to a demand for further autonomy within Spain. Catalan independentism Catalan indepedentism is a political movement which supports the independence of Catalonia from Spain and France. It is sometimes extended to the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Catalan Countriesâ&#x20AC;?, the whole Catalan-speaking domain (or even to its extension to the political entities where Catalan has some official status) Catalanism Wikipedia redirects to Catalan nationalism Catalan nationalism Catalan nationalism, or Catalanism (from Catalanisme in Catalan), is a political movement advocating for either further political autonomy or full independence of Catalonia. Centrism In politics, centrism is the ideal or the practice of promoting moderate policies that lie between different political extremes. Most commonly, this is visualized as part of the onedimensional political spectrum of left-right politics, with centrism landing in the middle between left-wing politics and right-wing politics. The phrase is often associated with the political philosophy realpolitik, which favours

practical considerations more than ideology. Christian democracy Christian democracy is a political ideology that seeks to apply Christian principles to public policy. It emerged in nineteenth-century Europe under the influence of conservatism and Catholic social teaching.[1] It continues to be influential in Europe and Latin America, though in a number of countries its Christian ethos has been diluted by secularisation. Christian right The Christian right (also known as the religious right and the evangelical bloc) is a term used predominantly in the United States of America to describe a spectrum of right-wing Christian political and social movements and organizations characterized by their strong support of conservative social and political values. The politically active social movement of the Christian right includes individuals from a wide variety of conservative theological beliefs, ranging from traditional movements within Baptist, Mormon, and Calvinist organizations to groups within Lutheranism, Calvinism and Catholicism that are more theologically conservative than the denominations as a whole.

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Christianity Christianity (from the Greek word Xριστός, Khristos, “Christ”, literally “anointed one”) is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. Christianity comprises three major branches: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy (which parted ways with Catholicism in 1054 A.D.) and Protestantism (which came into existence during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century). Protestantism is further divided into smaller groups called denominations. Civic nationalism Wikipedia redirects to Liberal Nationalism Liberal nationalism is a kind of nationalism identified by political philosophers who believe in a non-xenophobic form of nationalism compatible with liberal values of freedom, tolerance, equality, and individual rights. Ernest Renan and John Stuart Mill are often thought to be early liberal nationalists. Liberal nationalists often defend the value of national identity by saying that individuals need a national identity in order to lead meaningful, autonomous lives and that liberal democratic polities need national identity in order to function properly. Classical liberalism Classical liberalism is a political ideology that developed in the nineteenth century in Western Europe, and the Americas. It is committed to the ideal of limited government and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets Notable individuals who have contributed

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to classical liberalism include Jean-Baptiste Say, Thomas Malthus, and David Ricardo. There was a revival of interest in classical liberalism in the twentieth century led by Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek and other economists. Communism Communism is a sociopolitical structure that aims for a classless and stateless society with the communal ownership of property. Conservatism Conservatism (Latin: conservare, “to preserve”) is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and opposes rapid change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism and seek a return to “the way things were.” The first established use of the term in a political context was by François-René de Chateaubriand in 1819, following the French Revolution. The term has since been used to describe a wide range of views. According to Hailsham, a former chairman of the British Conservative Party, “Conservatism is not so much a philosophy as an attitude, a constant force, performing a timeless function in the development of a free society, and corresponding to a deep and permanent requirement of human nature itself ”.

Conservative liberalism Conservative liberalism is a variant of liberalism, combining liberal values and policies with conservative stances, or, more simply, representing the right-wing of the liberal movement. Democratic socialism Democratic socialism is a description used by various socialist movements and organisations, to emphasise the democratic character of their political orientation. The term is sometimes used synonymously with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;social democracyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, but many self-identified democratic socialists oppose contemporary social democracy because it is based on the capitalist mode of production. Ecologism Wikipedia redirects to Environentalism Environmentalism is a broad philosophy and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the state of the environment. Environmentalism and environmental concerns are often represented by the color green.

the maximum of free trade and competition, it contrasts with mercantilism, Keynesianism, socialism, and fascism. Eco-socialism Eco-socialism, green socialism or socialist ecology is an ideology merging aspects of Marxism, socialism, green politics, ecology and alterglobalization. Eco-socialists generally believe that the expansion of the capitalist system is the cause of social exclusion, poverty, war and environmental degradation through globalization and imperialism, under the supervision of repressive states and transnational structures. Eurocommunism Eurocommunism was a trend in the 1970s and 1980s within various Western European communist parties to develop a theory and practice of social transformation that was more relevant in a Western European democracy and less aligned to the influence or control of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Economic liberalism Economic liberalism is the economic component of classical liberalism. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes laissezfaire economics. Proponents of economic liberalism believe political freedom and social freedom are inseparable with economic freedom, and use philosophical arguments promoting liberty to justify economic liberalism and the free market. It opposes government intervention in the free market, and supporting

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Far right Far right, extreme right, hard right, radical right, and ultra-right are terms used to discuss the qualitative or quantitative position a group or person occupies within right-wing politics. Far right politics involves supremacism, believing that superiority and inferiority is an innate reality between individuals and groups and involves the complete rejection of the concept of social equality as a norm. Far right politics supports segregation, and the separation of groups deemed to be superior from groups deemed to be inferior. Far-right politics and political views commonly include authoritarianism, nativism, racism, and xenophobia. Federalism Federalism is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together by covenant (Latin: foedus, covenant) with a governing representative head. The term federalism is also used to describe a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units (like states or provinces). Federalism is a system in which the power to govern is shared between national and provincial/state governments, creating what is often called a federation. Proponents are often called federalists. Feminism Feminism refers to political, cultural, and economic movements aimed at establishing greater rights, legal protection for women, and/or womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liberation. Feminism includes

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some of the sociological theories and philosophies concerned with issues of gender difference. It is also a movement that campaigns for womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights and interests. Nancy Cott defines feminism as the belief in the importance of gender equality, invalidating the idea of gender hierarchy as a socially constructed concept. Feminists are persons of either sex, or females only (in which case males may be profeminists), who believe in feminism. Finnish nationalism No wikipedia article Fortuynism Wikipedia redirects to Pim Fortuyn Wilhelmus Simon Petrus Fortuijn, known as Pim Fortuyn (February 19, 1948 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 6, 2002) was a Dutch politician, civil servant, sociologist, author and professor who formed his own party, Pim Fortuyn List (Lijst Pim Fortuyn or LPF). freedom-loving left No wikipedia article Free-market liberalism Market liberalism, also called free-market liberalism in order to emphasize the support to free markets, is a term used of a variant of liberalism, combining free market economy with personal liberty and human rights in contrast to Social liberalism, which, while still supporting personal liberty and human rights, supports a more mixed economy with state produced public services.

GLOSSARY of ideologies

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010 Galician nationalism Galician nationalism is a political movement arguing for the recognition of Galicia as a nation. The political movement referred to as modern Galician nationalism was born at the beginning of the twentieth century from the idea of Galicianism. Gaullism Gaullism (French: Gaullisme) is a French political ideology based on the thought and action of Resistance leader then president Charles de Gaulle. Greek nationalism Greek nationalism has its roots in the rise of nationalism in Europe in the 19th century, and was characterized by the struggle for independence against the Ottoman Empire, culminating in the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), assisted by European Romantic philhellenes such as Lord Byron. Ethniki Etairia (a Greek nationalistic organization) is considered to be responsible for the outbreak of the Greco-Turkish War of 1897. Green Politics Green politics is a political ideology which places a high importance on environmental goals, and on achieving these goals through broad-based, grassroots, participatory democracy. Green politics is advocated by supporters of the Green movement, which has been active through Green parties in many nations since the early 1980s. Hungarian minority interests No wikipedia article

Interests of ethnic Hungarians in Romania No wikipedia article Irish nationalism Irish nationalism (Irish: Náisiúnachas Éireannach) comprises political and social movements and sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and a sense of pride in Ireland and the Irish people. Today, the term generally refers to support for a united Ireland. Irish republicanism Irish republicanism (Irish: Poblachtánachas) is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic. Italians of South America No wikipedia article Keynesianism Keynesian economics (also called Keynesianism and Keynesian theory) is a macroeconomic theory based on the ideas of 20th century British economist John Maynard Keynes. Keynesian economics argues that private sector decisions sometimes lead to inefficient macroeconomic outcomes and therefore, advocates active policy responses by the public sector, including monetary policy actions by the central bank and fiscal policy actions by the government to stabilize output over the business cycle. The theories forming the basis of Keynesian economics were first presented in The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, published in 1936; the interpretations of Keynes are contentious, and several schools of thought claim his legacy.

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laicism Wikipedia redirects to Laïcité In French, laïcité is a concept of a secular society, connoting the absence of religious involvement in government affairs as well as absence of government involvement in religious affairs. During the twentieth century, it evolved to mean equal treatment of all religions, although a more restrictive interpretation of the term has developed since 2004. Dictionaries ordinarily translate laïcité as secularity or secularism (the latter being the political system), although it is sometimes rendered in English as “laicity” or “laicism”. Latvian nationalism No wikipedia article Law and order In politics, law and order refers to demands for a strict criminal justice system, especially in relation to violent and property crime, through harsher criminal penalties. These penalties may include longer terms of imprisonment, mandatory sentencing, and in some countries, capital punishment. Left In politics, left-wing, leftist and the Left are generally used to describe support for social change with a view towards creating a more egalitarian society. The terms Left and Right were coined during the French Revolution, referring to the seating arrangement in parliament; those who sat on the left generally supported the radical changes of the revolution, including the creation of a republic and

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secularization. Leftist labourism No wikipedia article Left-wing nationalism Left-wing nationalism describes a form of nationalism officially based upon equality, popular sovereignty, and national selfdetermination. Left-wing nationalism has its origins in Jacobinism of the French Revolution. Left-wing nationalism typically espouses anti-imperialism. Left-wing nationalism stands in contrast to right-wing nationalism, and has often rejected racist nationalism and fascism. However forms of left-wing nationalism have included intolerance and racial prejudice. Liberal conservatism Liberal conservatism is a variant of political conservatism which incorporates liberal elements. As “conservatism” and “liberalism” have had different meanings over time and across countries, the term “liberal conservatism” has been used in quite different senses. In general, it has carried two broad meanings.

GLOSSARY of ideologies

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010 Liberalism Liberalism (from the Latin liberalis, â&#x20AC;&#x153;of freedomâ&#x20AC;?) is the belief in the importance of liberty and equality. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but most liberals support such fundamental ideas as constitutions, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights, capitalism, free trade, and the separation of church and state. These ideas are widely accepted, even by political groups that do not openly profess a liberal ideological orientation. Liberalism encompasses several intellectual trends and traditions, but the dominant variants are classical liberalism, which became popular in the 18th century, and social liberalism, which became popular in the 20th century. Libertarianism Libertarianism is advocacy for individual liberty. Though libertarians all support what they consider to be liberty, there is disagreement among libertarians on other more specific political and economic considerations. There are many kinds of libertarianism, which can, in some ways, stand in opposition to one another, such as those that support laissez-faire capitalism as economically-libertarian versus some considered to be libertarian socialist, who see capitalism as inconsistent with libertarian principles. Those considered to be libertarians may embrace a variety of beliefs about social structures ranging from those who strive only for minimization of the state, while others seek complete abolition of the state, and still others desiring to achieve complete elimination of any hierarchical imposition of authority to include

an opposition to capitalism and other institutions viewed as coercive. Some writers believe most libertarians oppose equality, solidarity, and social responsibility Market liberalism Market liberalism, also called free-market liberalism in order to emphasize the support to free markets, is a term used of a variant of liberalism, combining free market economy with personal liberty and human rights in contrast to Social liberalism, which, while still supporting personal liberty and human rights, supports a more mixed economy with state produced public services. Market Socialism Market socialism refers to various economic systems where the means of production are publicly owned, managed, and administered and the market is utilized to distribute resources and economic output.[1] Market socialism generally refers to two related but distinct systems. National Conservatism National conservatism is a political term used to describe a variant of conservatism which concentrates more on national interests than standard conservatism, while not being outspokenly nationalist or supporting a far right approach. Many national conservatives are social conservatives, in favour of limiting immigration, and in Europe, they are usually eurosceptics.

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National liberalism National liberalism is a variant of liberalism, combining nationalism with some liberal policies, especially regarding economic liberalism. The roots of it are to be found in the 19th century, when conservative liberalism was the ideology of the political classes in most European countries, then governed by monarchies. Nationalism Nationalism involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. Often, it is the belief that an ethnic group has a right to statehood, or that citizenship in a state should be limited to one ethnic group, or that multinationality in a single state should necessarily comprise the right to express and exercise national identity even by minorities. It can also include the belief that the state is of primary importance, or the belief that one state is naturally superior to all other states. It is also used to describe a movement to establish or protect a homeland (usually an autonomous state) for an ethnic group. In some cases the identification of a national culture is combined with a negative view of other races or cultures. Conversely, nationalism might also be portrayed as collective identities towards imagined communities which are not naturally expressed in language, race or religion but rather socially constructed by the very individuals that belong to a given nation. Nationalism is sometimes reactionary, calling for a return to a national past, and sometimes for the expulsion of foreigners. Other forms of nationalism are revolutionary, calling for the establishment of an independent

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state as a homeland for an ethnic underclass. Neofascism Neo-fascism is a post-World War II ideology that includes significant elements of fascism. The term neo-fascist may apply to groups that express a specific admiration for Benito Mussolini and Italian fascism or any other fascist leader/state. Neo-fascism usually includes nationalism, anti-immigration policies or, where relevant, nativism, anti-communism, and opposition to the parliamentary system and liberal democracy. Allegations that a group is neo-fascist may be hotly contested, especially if the term is used as a political epithet. Some post-World War II regimes have been described as neo-fascist due to their authoritarian nature, and sometimes due to their fascination with fascist ideology and rituals. Neo-fascist movements are more straight-forwardly right-wing than the pre-WWII movements, and have become intertwined with the radical right. Neoliberalism Neoliberalism is a market-driven approach to economic and social policy based on neoclassical theories of economics that maximise the role of the private business sector in determining the political and economic priorities of the state. The term â&#x20AC;&#x153;neoliberalismâ&#x20AC;? has also come into wide use in cultural studies to describe an internationally prevailing ideological paradigm that leads to social, cultural, and political practices and policies that use the language of markets, efficiency, consumer choice, transactional thinking and individual autonomy to

GLOSSARY of ideologies

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010

shift risk from governments and corporations onto individuals and to extend this kind of market logic into the realm of social and affective relationships. Non-Sectarian Nonsectarian, in its most literal sense, refers to a lack of sectarianism. The term is also more narrowly used to describe secular private educational institutions or other organizations not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious denomination. Orthodox Protestantism No wikipedia article Orthodox Reformed There are two Reformed Orthodox Churches in Eastern Christianity. The term Reformed Orthodox is the protestant-reformed revision of practices of the former Eastern or Oriental Orthodox Church. Presently the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church are noted to be Reformed by Lutheran and, respectively, Anglican reforms. Another term used is Protestant Oriental. Padanian nationalism Padanian nationalism is an ideology and a regionalist movement demanding more autonomy, or even independence from Italy, for Padania.

Popular socialism Popular Socialism (Danish: Folkesocialisme) is a distinct Scandinavian socialist current. Around the world there are many parties called Popular Socialist Party or likewise, which does not really imply any specific ideological direction. For example, the Popular Socialist Party of Mexico is a rather hardline communist party, whereas the Spanish PSP was a left-social democrat formation. But in the Scandinavian context the term can be said to represent a distinct ideological tendency, originating from Aksel Larsen’s split from the Communist Party of Denmark in 1956. Larsen founded Socialistisk Folkeparti (Socialist People’s Party) which placed itself between communism and social democracy. In Norway a similar party, SF, was formed through an anti-NATO/anti-European Economic Community-split from the social democrats. SF later became the back-bone of Sosialistisk Venstreparti (Socialist Left Party). Today, both the Danish SF and the Norwegian SV identify their ideological base as ‘Popular Socialism’. In Sweden the term has sometimes been used in the Left, and there were at one point discussions within the rightist section of the Communist Party on forming a political project with the Danish SF as model. But that split was avoided, although the Nordic contacts and Eurocommunism became important influences in the Swedish party.

Polish minority interests No wikipedia article

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Populism Populism, defined either as an ideology (more rarely and uncommonly), a political philosophy or a type of discourse, is a type of politicalsocial thought that juxtaposes “the people” against “the elites”, and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social movements. It is defined by the Cambridge dictionary as “political ideas and activities that are intended to represent ordinary people’s needs and wishes”. pro-British No wikipedia article pro-European Pro-European is a subjective term applied to a person who supports the idea of European unification (mainly through the European Union (EU)) and generally supports further ‘deepening’ of European integration, specifically in the context of political argument over the current and future status of the EU and its policies. pro-Italian No wikipedia article Progressivism Progressivism is a political attitude favoring or advocating changes or reform. Progressivism is often viewed in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies. The Progressive Movement began in cities with settlement workers and reformers who were interested in helping those facing harsh conditions at home and at work. The reformers spoke out about the

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need for laws regulating tenement housing and child labor. They also called for better working conditions for women. Progressivism and pragmatism No wikipedia article Radical democracy Radical democracy as an ideology was articulated by Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe in their book Hegemony and Socialist Strategy: Towards a Radical Democratic Politics, written in 1985. They argue that social movements which attempt to create social and political change need a strategy which challenges neoliberal and neoconservative concepts of democracy. This strategy is to expand the liberal definition of democracy, based on freedom and equality, to include difference. Radical nationalism Wikipedia redirects to nationalism Radicalism In political science, the terms political radicalism and radicalism denote radical political principles. Derived from the Latin radix (root), the denotation of radical has changed since its eighteenth-century coinage to comprehend the entire political spectrum — yet retains the “change at the root” connotation fundamental to revolutionary societal change; thus, radical right and radical left.

GLOSSARY of ideologies

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010 Regionalism In politics, regionalism is a political ideology that focuses on the interests of a particular region or group of regions, whether traditional or formal (administrative divisions, country subdivisions, political divisions, subnational units). Regionalism centers on increasing the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s influence and political power, either through movements for limited form of autonomy (devolution, statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rights, decentralization) or through stronger measures for a greater degree of autonomy (sovereignty, separatism, independence). Regionalists often favor loose federations or confederations over a unitary state with a strong central government. Regionalism may be contrasted with nationalism. Republicanism Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, where the head of state is appointed by means other than heredity, often elections. The exact meaning of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context. The sometimes contrary definitions are all covered in this article. Revolutionary socialism The term revolutionary socialism refers to Socialist tendencies that advocate the need for fundamental social change through revolution by mass movements of the vast majority, as a strategy to achieve a socialist society. The term is used by socialist and communist tendencies in contrast to reformism, the advocacy of the possibility of gradual change as a means of achieving socialism or of ameliorating

capitalism, and also in contrast to the concept of small revolutionary groups seizing power without active mass support, termed Blanquism. Right-wing populism Right-wing populism (also known as radical right-wing populism) is a political strategy and rhetorical style combining right-wing ideology with populist propaganda and campaigning. The term is also used to refer to the movements connected with neoliberalism which first rose to prominence during the 1980s. Right-wing populism is a core element of several New Right political parties and movements in contemporary Europe.European radical right populists founded the Euronat association in 2005. Russian minority politics No wikipedia article Scottish independence Scottish independence is a political ambition of political parties, advocacy groups and individuals for Scotland to secede from the United Kingdom and become a sovereign state, separate from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish nationalism Scottish nationalism is a variety of nationalism surrounding the Scottish people and Scottish identity.

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Self-determination The right of nations to self-determination (German: Selbstbestimmungsrecht der VĂślker), or in short form self-determination is the principle in international law, that nations have the right to freely decide on their sovereignity and international political status without external compulsion or outside interference. The principle does not state how the decision is to be made, or what the outcome should be, be it independence, federation, protection, some form of autonomy or even full assimilation. Neither does it state what the delimitation between nations should be â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or even what constitutes a nation. In fact, there are conflicting definitions and legal criteria for determining which groups may legitimately claim the right to self-determination. Separatism Separatism is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group, often with demands for greater political autonomy[not in citation given] and even for full political secession and the formation of a new state. Depending on their political situation and views, groups may refer to their organizing as independence, self-determination, partition or decolonization movements instead of, or in addition to, autonomist, separatist or secession movements. While some critics may equate separatism and religious segregation, racial segregation or sexual segregation, separatists argue that separation by choice is not the same as government-enforced segregation and serves useful purposes.

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Single-issue politics Single-issue politics involves political campaigning or political support based on one essential policy area or idea. Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political or moral ideology that believes government and/or society have a role in encouraging or enforcing what they consider traditional values or behaviors based on the belief that these are what keep people civilized and decent. A second meaning of the term social conservatism developed in the Nordic countries and continental Europe. There it refers to liberal conservatives supporting modern European welfare states. Social conservatism is distinct from cultural conservatism which focuses on cultural aspects of the issues, such as protecting oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture, although there are some overlaps. Social democracy Social democracy is a political ideology of the centre-left on the classic political spectrum. Historically, social democracy was a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. The Frankfurt Declaration of the Socialist International, attended by many social democratic parties from across the world, committed the adherents to the replacement of capitalism with socialism and committed adherents to oppose Bolshevik communism and Stalinism. The social democratic conception of socialism is that of a set of political and ethical values, such as unconditional support for parliamentary democracy, rather than a specific form of social and economic organization. The chief

GLOSSARY of ideologies

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010

goal of modern social democracy is to reform capitalism to align it with the ethical ideals of social democracy while maintaining the capitalist mode of production, rather than creating an alternative socialist economic system. Social liberalism Social liberalism is the belief that liberalism should include social justice. It differs from classical liberalism in that it recognizes a legitimate role for government in addressing economic and social issues such as unemployment, health care, and education while simultaneously expanding civil rights. Under social liberalism, the good of the community is viewed as harmonious with the freedom of the individual. Social liberal policies have been widely adopted in much of the capitalist world, particularly following the Second World War. Social liberal ideas and parties tend to be considered centrist or centre-left. Social progressivism Social progressivism is the view that social norms and moral values are not fixed throughout history and should be revised as new scientific knowledge (particularly about human nature) becomes available. The term is most commonly associated with an international political movement on basis of this view. Particularly in developed countries, social progressives are secularists, and believe that science and secular philosophy have discredited most traditional beliefs to the point where they no longer hold any inherent value. Thus, all current interpersonal social constructs, such

as marriage, the family, monogamy and gender roles and gender identity, must be legally challenged whenever such a change is deemed to be for the greater good of society or is desired by those who wish to engage a social arrangement not currently sanctioned by law. They are generally averse to inequality and seek to institute egalitarian norms. They are opposed by social conservatives on grounds of positive vs negative liberties. Socialism Socialism is an economic and political theory based on public or common ownership and cooperative management of the means of production and allocation of resources. Souverainism Souverainism (from the French word â&#x20AC;&#x153;souverainismeâ&#x20AC;?, i.e. sovereignty), or sovereigntism is a doctrine which supports acquiring or preserving political independence of a nation or a region. It opposes federalism and approaches independentist movements. Swedish minority politics No wikipedia article SzĂŠkely regionalism No wikipedia article

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Third Position Third Position is a revolutionary nationalist political ideology that emphasizes its opposition to both communism and capitalism. Advocates of Third Position politics present themselves as “neither left nor right”, instead combining ideas from both. Third Positionists tend to defend the interests of the “productive” working class, seek alliances with separatists of ethnicity other than their own to achieve “separate but equal” ethnic segregation, support national liberation movements in the least developed countries, and have recently embraced neopaganism and environmentalism. Third Way The Third Way is a political position which tries to reconcile right-wing and left-wing politics by advocating a synthesis of right-wing economic and left-wing social policies. Third Way approaches are commonly viewed from within the first- and second-way perspectives as representing a centrist compromise between free market capitalism and democratic socialism. However, proponents of third way philosophies see it as something beyond free market capitalism and democratic socialism. This claim is embodied in the alternative description of the Third Way as the Radical center. Turkish minority interests No wikipedia article

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Ultranationalism Ultra-nationalism often leads to conflict within a state, as well as between states, and in its extreme form leads to war, secession, or genocide. Unification of Ireland A United Ireland is the term used to refer to a sovereign state covering the whole of the island of Ireland. Currently, the island encompasses the territory of two independent sovereign states: the Republic of Ireland, which covers 26 counties of the island, and the United Kingdom, one of whose constituent countries is Northern Ireland. Unionism Unionism may refer to - British Unionism - Unionism in Ireland - Unionism in Scotland - Unionism in England - Unionism in Wales - Union (American Civil War) - Movement for unification of Romania and Moldova Welsh independence Welsh independence is a political ideal advocated by some people in Wales that would see Wales secede from the United Kingdom and become an independent sovereign state. This ideology is promoted mainly by the Welsh nationalist party, Plaid Cymru.

GLOSSARY of ideologies

All terms have been accessed from Wikipedia on 31 July 2010 Welsh nationalism Welsh nationalism (Welsh: Cenedlaetholdeb Cymreig) emphasises the distinctiveness of Welsh language, culture, and history, and calls for more self-determination for Wales, including independence from the United Kingdom

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Freedom or death