German Politics: From Unification to Wilhelmine Era
German Politics Since Unification
The Social Democrats, led by Schröder and in government since 1998 in coalition with the Greens, began the year 2000 with a stable government and their long-time adversaries weakened. However, the unified Germany faced challenges, including attacks on immigrants and military involvement in conflict zones, leading to comparisons with Hitler’s Germany. The ruling coalition between the SPD and the Greens faced internal conflicts regarding social, environmental, and
Read MoreUnderstanding the European Commission: Structure and Role
The European Commission: An Introduction
1. What is the Commission?
The Commission (European Commission) fulfills the role of an executive administration for the Union and was given the sole right as the proposer of legislation under the original treaties. This remains the case and makes the Commission more powerful than simply a civil service bureaucracy carrying out the will of an elected government. It is not to be confused with a government itself; it is able to formulate policy within the parameters
Read MoreSpain’s 1854-1868 Political Turmoil: Revolution to Restoration
The Crisis of the Decade (1854-1868)
Moderate results stemming from a series of scandals led to the Senate confronting the government. The government reacted by dissolving the Senate. This triggered the ultra-conservative revolution of 1854. Initially, the revolution had a popular character, coinciding with a period of agrarian crisis. This popular revolt joined the pronouncement carried out by General O’Donnell, who faced troops loyal to the government in Vicálvaro, resulting in an indecisive battle.
Read MorePublic Sphere, Media Effects, and Global News Dynamics
The Public Sphere: Origins and Evolution
The origin of the public sphere traces back to the ‘enlightened’ bourgeois salons. It was significantly influenced by the capital-driven mass media. The public sphere sets the social conditions for a rational debate about public issues, conducted by individuals willing to let arguments, and not stations, determine decisions. It represents a communicative ideal: an inclusive, critical debate, free of constrictions, where contributors consider each other as
Read MoreSovereignty: Concepts of Bodin and Hobbes
The Concept of Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is a concept often debated. Today, the concept of sovereignty is sometimes seen as in crisis or inappropriate, especially when considering public international law and justified claims of universal human rights. International law, by its nature, seeks supranational universal validity.
The validity of international law can conflict with the recognition of state sovereignty. For example, a country might refuse to sign or complete a treaty because it clashes
Read MoreEU Institutions: Roles and Functions
European Commission
- Role: Executive administration for the Union, originally granted the sole right to propose legislation under the treaties.
- The power of initiative is influenced by policy formulation and guidance from the Council of Ministers and the European Council.
- The Commission possesses its own powers of decision.
Commission President
The Commission President is proposed by the European Council to the European Parliament (EP) using Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) after consultations, taking
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