The aim of this article is to fill in the gap in research focusing on the problem of the political participation of women in the Czech Republic. Based on text and interview analysis, it explains the role of women activists in Czech parliamentary parties in endorsing women for election to representative bodies. The article begins by describing the associations formed by women party activists and their position within the party structure, and then looks at the role of these associations in supporting women’s access to political structures. It also describes how women party activists take into account the barriers to women’s political participation and possible ways of removing these restraints. The final part introduces the hypothesis that although the creation of these associations seems to be a positive step towards improving women chances of gaining access to representative bodies, in their present form and circumstances they have no power to achieve any significant improvement in the status quo., Veronika Šprincová., tabulka, and Obsahuje bibliografii
This paper examines the variation in personal values and attitudes towards family and marriage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Czech and Slovak societies have been characterized by an intensive transformation process since 1989. The political and economic transformation was followed by intensive demographic changes (some even talk about a second demographic transition) that was similar in both societies. Here it is assumed that values are independent variables that have an impact on behaviour, and it is argued that demographic changes have been brought about by changes in values and attitudes concerning the family, marriage and children. Therefore, this article examines if the trends in value observed between 1991 and 2008 were accompanied by similar demographic changes. Data from three waves of the European Value Study (EVS) are used together with official vital demographic statistics., Ladislav Rabušic, Beatrice Chromková Manea., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Bruno Latour’s article challenges the preconceived notions with which the scholars have approached the Great Divide between prescientific and scientific cultures. In order to account for the immense effects of science and technology without assuming a single grand cause for them, he suggests to focus on many, small unexpected and practical sets of skills to produce images, and to read and write about them. However, only those changes that intervene favorably in the agonistic situation in science should be considered. Crucial in this respect is the emergence of numerous “immutable mobiles” - easily transported, accumulated, combined, yet lasting objects - which made possible the mobilization of new scientific inscriptions and of new ways of looking at and presenting them. They help to constitute an optically consistent visual culture with such technologies as printing press. Their combination on the surface of paper and subsequent mobilization of allies can usher in bureaucratic mode of domination over the world and people in the scientific field. The effects of science and technology thus become a question of a shift in power relations enabled by the manipulation of inscriptions., Bruno, Latour., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The Czech government is obliged to guarantee equality for men and women. Despite that, it recognizes this duty only in theory; in practice it contravenes the principles of this formal agreement. The government’s programme, politics, legislation, and state budget and governmental structures are marked by a lack of gender equity and the failure to promote women’s rights. The hidden structural mechanisms causing gender discrimination can be analyzed by means of a gender audit of the government. This is an effective tool for defining the most critical areas of state politics, and it creates a relevant strategy for challenging negative effects. In doing so, a gender audit of the government can also be a rich source of public education and can help to promote public and political discussion on the topic of gender issues. In this article, the author argues in favour of carrying out a gender audit of the Czech government and its politics. She explains how certain areas of politics affect men and women differently, and how their gender correct transformation can positively contribute to democratic and just governance., Tereza Handlová., and Obsahuje bibliografii