Publication Type: Proceeding
Abstract: Building on a 88,992 respondents survey, conducted in 27 countries (IEA, 1999), we ascertain the determinants of the expressed willingness to vote among 14 year olds. By using multilevel models, we can make a distinction between pupil, school and country effects. On the individual level, assumptions about the effect of gender, socio-economic status, civic education, the general participation climate in school, the presence of an open classroom climate and socio-economic status of the pupil were confirmed. At the school level, the analysis did not show significant effects of additional civic education efforts. At the country level, various variables that have an effect on turnout among adults were not significantly related to the reported willingness to vote of young people. These findings shed new light on the question what exactly is the theoretical status of the answers young people give to this kind of prospective political questions.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The paper will start with a short theoretical introspection emphasizing the fact that the EU represents a challenge for the classical IR theory approaches considering that, as an international actor, EU simply could not be accommodated within a large section of classical theorizing about the interstate system. The author's point will be that the today Union can be regarded as a transitional entity which acts independently into international system but which also remains itself a complex subsystem of international relations. The central part of the author's approach will be on the EU's new international actorness capabilities. In this respect an analysis on the changes brought by the Enlargement and the deepening of integration will be made. Furthermore, it will be demonstrated that the Enlargement represents a ''win-win'' process for all the parties involved, including the non-EU actors. In the support of this assertion ''The Impact of EU Enlargement for EU-Japan relations'' will represent a case study to be employed. A major particularity which the author thinks that it is to be highlighted is the ''civilian'' actor feature of EU having in mind that its capacity to act on the international arena rests not on the military capabilities but on the political and economic power in its possession, which can be converted into legitimacy, prestige and influence. The EU way of managing with its global responsibilities will be also shortly reviewed, which will include: an analysis on the EU development and sustainable development policy, the EU trade liberalization promotion under the Cotonou Agreement as well as the use of ''human rights conditionality'' as an effective ''foreign policy tool''. At the same time, the reality of an EU still confronted with institutional and operational problems will not be forgotten. Thus, the author also intends to highlight the major challenges which still lie ahead of EU in order to become a more effective international actor. In this context, a particular focus will be on the shortcomings and the potential solutions for a more effective Common Foreign and Security Policy. The last part of the paper will focus on the trans-regional dialogues established by and with the EU and their potential to become intermediaries of a multilateral Global Governance system. The Asia-Europe cooperation/ASEM will serve as a case study. In the end, the author intends to draw the following conclusion: The EU 27 will substantially contribute to the global balance of power by providing an alternative Western voice in international affairs with a strong emphasize on the multilateral rules based system. Furthermore, the promotion of its own model of regionalism as well as the trans-regional dialogues in which EU takes part have the potential to become important elements for addressing the Global Governance challenges.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Empirical studies question whether responsible party government is feasible given low voter information, and where governments are weakened by divided constitutional powers or multi-party coalitions. There are claims that responsible party government cannot survive under conditions of globalisation that promote policy convergence between countries, and policy convergence of parties. This paper identifies some key cross-national differences in political institutions and in exposure to the international economy. Using data from the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES), it tests whether and how these influence the voter perceptions and expectations that are needed to underpin the effective practice of responsible party government.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The paper is a theoretical and empirical attempt to expand the implications of the varieties of capitalism literature beyond the boundaries of EU 15 and into the new member states. To do so I will formulate and test hypotheses extracted from this literature as well as from the emerging constructivist political economy literature to track the causal chain of industrial relations transformations in the new member states during the past 15 years. Thepaper will first map out quantitative aspects of industrial relations in EU 27 using longitudinal data on employment protection and collective bargaining. Next, I will investigate the causes of adoption of liberal industrial relations by Slovakia and Hungary and of corporatist industrial relations by Slovenia and Romania.

Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: As a result of the Fall 2006 Exhibition during the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology in Los Angeles, our students have expanded their creativity beyond the making of simple boxes, bookmarks, and cards to crocheted afghans, pinatas, dioramas, board games and interactive posters. As their creativity has exploded, so has their desire to go beyond the classroom. During Spring 2008, the students will plan and organize a universitywide exhibition of their visual projects. The purpose of this poster session is to exhibit the actual and photographed pieces of art work produced by our students, and to describe the discourse that matters to them.