DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2018.2.25525

Abstract: This article is dedicated to examination of the influence of the type of political regime upon the logics of choosing the targets of suicide bomb attacks. It is claimed that the choice by suicide bombers of the objects of attack for the purpose of coercing the government to adopt the profitable for terrorist decisions leans on the expectation of increasing the costs and expanses of conflict for the state.  The increase of expanses can request from terrorist to attack diverse types of objects depending on the type of political regime, through which can be attained the change of political course. The research is based on the statistical method, with application of regression analysis, particularly probit regression. The acquired results testify to the fact that the more authoritarian is the regime, the higher is the probability that the suicide bombers will attach the governmental rather than civilian objects. In an attempt to create the maximally possible pressure on the government, the logics of terrorism adjusts to the type of regime, affecting the choice of objects within the states being targeted.

Keywords: civilian target, autocracies, democracies, rational choice, the targets of the attacks, suicide bomber, terrorism, political regime, government objectives, regression analysis

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2018.8.27099

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the strategic level of legitimation in the de facto states. Such aspect of legitimation of power is also important for the internationally recognized states; however, for the newly formed polities it is particularly acute. At the same time, the topic of legitimation strategies in the de facto states is yet to be examined. Based on the examples of the post-Soviet de facto states (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), the author demonstrates how the ideology, fundamental myth, personalism (charisma), procedural mechanisms and performance are used by their governments for legitimation of the new polities.  The theoretical foundation contains the six-element legitimation model proposed by the German and Dutch scholars J. Ahrens, M. Brusis and M. Schulze Wessel. The article provides the definition of the strategic level of legitimation of power in the de facto states. The author determines the main strategies implemented by the governments of the de facto post-Soviet states: legitimation through the gradual disassociation from the parenting state; strategy of affiliation with the Russian Federation; strategy of imitating the democratic institutions; legitimation through neglecting the international recognition; through appeal to the factual status, capability to enter the relationship with other states.

Keywords: international recognition, post-Soviet area, Nagorno-Karabakh, Ttransnistria, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, strategy, legitimation of power, state de-facto, parent state

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2017.11.24544

Abstract:   This article focuses on the problem of perception of the phenomenon of political protest in the Arab East. The subject of this research is the peculiarities of interpretation of the concept of revolution by the representatives of the Arab political elite, journalism, and academic circles. The attention is centered around the nuances of differentiation of the forms of protest culture – the dissimilarities between such notions as rebellion, revolt, uprising, turmoil, and revolution. The work also considers the dichotomy between the conceptual and applied content of the revolutionary process, problematic of using the religious symbols and names in protests in the Arab East, perception of the factor of foreign interference into the revolution on the territory of Arab states, etc. The scientific novelty is formed by the meticulous analysis of the accessible speeches, addresses, and commentaries of the two axis powers for the Arab world – Syria and Egypt. The unique history of development of the protest culture in the aforementioned stated, the remarkable civilizational and cultural heritage complemented by the factors of geostrategic importance, allows extrapolating the results of research onto the others societies and states. The presented in the article scope of data and detailed list of the sources allow verifying the quantitative side of the analysis, as well as provide the foundation for further research on the topic at hand.  

Keywords: Coup, Protest culture, Syria, Egypt, Arab world, Revolution, Revolt, Turmoil, Bashar al-Assad, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2018.11.23941

Abstract: The subject of this research is the set of factors that affected the formation of personality of the King Mohammed VI as a progressive and successful leader and reformer of Morocco. The goal of this work lies in demonstrating that the prosperous development and reforming of Morocco has become possible thanks largely to the persona of Mohammed VI, who formed under the influence of multiple endogenic and exogenic factors as a competent and farsighted leader and understands the need for gradual liberalization of the country, considering the level of readiness of the traditional Moroccan society to reforms and expectable response of the Islamist circles. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the article is first to collect and analyze the key biographic factors of Mohammed VI till his coronation, as well as the establishment of the current Moroccan leader as a progressive and innovative leader capable of conducting timely reforms and retain power. A conclusion is made that the King Mohammed VI became a role model of a successful ruler in the Arab Region. He succeeds in implementing liberal reforms aimed at socioeconomic and cultural advancement of the country, not disturbing its fragile balance between the progressive and traditionalistic powers in the society, as well as preserving the bases of legitimacy of the monarchical system.

Keywords: traditionalist forces, liberalization, reformer, progressive leader, Leader formation, monarchy, Muhammad VI, Moroccan society, personality in history, socio-economic development

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2018.5.26141

Abstract: The subject of this research is the integration of Africa and Ghana’s contribution in its achievement. The object is Ghana’s impact upon African integration. The author examines such aspects as the goals of international organization of African Union and an efficient role played by Ghana in realization of the set by the Union goal of integration throughout certain period of time. Special attention is given to the practice of democracy in Ghana, legacy of the effective management characterized by the peaceful interparty transition and good leaders that hold the positions encouraging the promotion of Pan-African course as a result of their conscientious activity. The article considers the theoretical models of African integration and Pan-Africanism, which were explored by some authors, as well as applies the interpretation method for analyzing the utterings of political leaders, protocols of organizational summits and events on the continent, and particularly in the country which contribution is viewed in this research. The main conclusion lies in the fact that Ghana’s contribution into African integration and future of the continents cannot be underestimated. Moreover, despite the country’s experience in the area of military takeovers until 1992, it has established the strong political leadership and effective management that deserve attention. The author’s special contribution is defined by the practical and factual data that confirm Ghana’s position in Pan-Africanism, which can be relevant for the future African leaders and students of political science and international relations. The scientific novelty lie in consistency of specific events in Ghana, commitment of the country and its vision of the key factors of integration and development of the continent as a whole.

Keywords: Governance, Pan-Africanism, Democracy, Regional integration, Integration, Ghana, African Union, Africa, Organization of African Union, Development

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.1.16176

Abstract: Abstract: The Object of this study is to volunteer White movement in Soviet Russia in the period from 1917 to 1920, the author of the article on the basis of the analysis of activity of the volunteer of the White movement and consider it from the standpoint of political science and systems approach defines, explains and reveals the content of the main socio-political factors which, he believes, led to the defeat of the volunteer White army in Soviet Russia. In addition, the author also concludes that due to the presence of these factors and the neglect of them by the command of the White movement his defeat was predetermined at the stage of nucleation. This is the scientific novelty of the study. Special attention is paid to the description of relationships between identified factors, as well as the author's understanding of their contents basis. Scientific results allowed us to validate the conclusion that one of the main negative factors in the activities of the White movement in Soviet Russia was the rate of his command on volunteerism, and in a timely manner was not supported by the formal mobilization of human resources to fight against the new regime of the Bolsheviks.

Keywords: Russia, White movement, volunteering, Russian army, the officer corps, socio-political factor, politics, society, the Cossacks, the power

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.1.54500

Abstract: Abstract: The Object of this study is to volunteer White movement in Soviet Russia in the period from 1917 to 1920, the author of the article on the basis of the analysis of activity of the volunteer of the White movement and consider it from the standpoint of political science and systems approach defines, explains and reveals the content of the main socio-political factors which, he believes, led to the defeat of the volunteer White army in Soviet Russia. In addition, the author also concludes that due to the presence of these factors and the neglect of them by the command of the White movement his defeat was predetermined at the stage of nucleation. This is the scientific novelty of the study. Special attention is paid to the description of relationships between identified factors, as well as the author's understanding of their contents basis. Scientific results allowed us to validate the conclusion that one of the main negative factors in the activities of the White movement in Soviet Russia was the rate of his command on volunteerism, and in a timely manner was not supported by the formal mobilization of human resources to fight against the new regime of the Bolsheviks.

Keywords: society, politics, socio-political factor, the officer corps, Russian army, volunteering, White movement, Russia, the Cossacks, the power

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2018.10.27488

Abstract: The object of this research is the political leadership in Ghana, while the subject is the consistencies and peculiarities of political leadership in the multicomponent society. In the early 2018, the author conducted formalized survey of the experts from three African countries – Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea-Conakry on the topic “Symbolic provision of political leadership in the crisis multicomponent society” for determining the usage pattern of symbolic resources of the current political leadership in African countries. This article focuses on the case of Ghana, analyzing the peculiarities of political leadership in the segmented society. Leaning on the concept of multicomponent society of Arend Lijphart, the author assesses the prospects for building democracy in Ghana. The following conclusions were made in the course of this work: the democratic success in this democratic country are way more stable than in other African countries; one of the problems is the excessive centralization of power that impedes the local talented leaders to shine.

Keywords: Ghana, Africa, cultural segmentaion, devided society, segmented society, multicomponent society, political leadership, democracy, Nigeria, political elites

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2017.3.19596

Abstract: This article examines the influence of age and type of political regime upon the amount of terrorist acts in the country. An opinion is provided that majority of “young”, as well as “old” democracies are more subject to the influence of terrorism than all types and age groups of the non-democratic types of regime. The author thoroughly review how the age and type of political regime affects the various types of terrorism: international, national, and overall level of terrorism in each separate country. Special attention is given to the differences in immunity to terrorism of the young democracies and non-democratic regimes. The article revises the interconnections between the level of terrorism, type and age of the regime with the use of updated information, regression analysis, modelling, and large timeframes. The main conclusion of the conducted research consists in the thesis that the young democracies have more risk to face terrorism that the old democracies. It was also determines that the non-democratic regimes in any age experience lesser influence of terrorism than any other type of political regime.

Keywords: regression analysis, dictatorship, democracy, age of regime, terrorism, type of regime, political regime, model, national terrorism, international terrorism

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2013.4.54050

Abstract: The article examines the experience of two post- Soviet countries (Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan), exploring the main ways of legitimating authority during the process of forming of national states and solving political stability issues. The circumstances in which political elites form ideologemes to reinforce the legitimacy of political regimes and choose the means to spread those igeologemes are reviewed, as well as the preconditions for success in achieving relative stability, or failure to produce such legitimacy, resulting in destruction of the political system. The attention is drawn to the analysis of techniques, mechanisms and components of legitimation of political regimes, as well as factors of their political stability in a near perspective. The author points out that to legitimate authority during the consolidation process of a regime, the ruling elites turned to national ideologems as tools of legitimating in order to justify their claim for dominance. The lack of significant political rifts and notable actors of political opposition in Uzbekistan provided the ruling elite with an opportunity to spread a new set of values, virtually unhindered by opposition and by the process of democratic legitimation. In Kyrgyzstan, the attempt to synthesize structural and ideological legitimation (using archaic national and cultural concepts) has failed, which lead to severe damage to the existing legitimacy of elites and to strengthening and unification of counter elites on the basis of opposition to the values supported by the existing elites.

Keywords: Political science, political regime, political stability, ideology, consolidation, legitimacy, identity, rift in society, ruling elite, trust.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.4.14969

Abstract: The object of the research is the process of implementation by the political parties of their major functions under the conditions of the new democracies. Particular emphasis is made on the analysis of the functions of representation, selection, delegation and control. Cooperation between the electorate, political parties, lawmakers and the government is examined through the analytical framework of the principal-agent relations. The major role of political parties as principals in this relations is identified, which means they carry out representation, selection, delegation and control towards the candidates (agents) for the elective offices. An empirical example is the case of post-Soviet Lithuania, whose political development provides the material to analyse the degree of implementation of the major functions of the political parties, as well as to define the main issues of this process. In order to examine the implementation by the political parties of post-soviet Lithuania of the representative, selective, delegative and controlling functions, the theory of the principal-agent relations has been used, as well as methods of quantitative analysis of the electoral statistics. The data of six electoral results of elections to the Lithuanian Seimas from 1992 to 2012 has been used for analysis and comparison. The research has resulted in the conclusion that although the political parties of post-soviet Lithuania, in general, successfully deal with the function of delegation and act as the main actor in this process, they do not fully implement higher functions in the system of principal-agent relations. The political parties of modern Lithuania have problems regarding the control over selected lawmwkers, which is evidenced by the high level of inter-party and inter-faction mobility of the deputy corps. The high level of renewal of the party's cadres during every electoral cycle witnesses the attempts to solve this problem by the party apparatus. Uncertainty of the issues of control over the deputy corps on the part of the parties creates the situation of devalvation of trust towards the party institutions on the part of the electorate, which does not contribute to the process of implementation of the party system, and creates risks for the sustainable functioning of the political system.

Keywords: electorate, political delegation, political representation, political parties, Lithuania, the Baltic countries, democracy, elections, modernisation, policy

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.4.54373

Abstract: The object of the research is the process of implementation by the political parties of their major functions under the conditions of the new democracies. Particular emphasis is made on the analysis of the functions of representation, selection, delegation and control. Cooperation between the electorate, political parties, lawmakers and the government is examined through the analytical framework of the principal-agent relations. The major role of political parties as principals in this relations is identified, which means they carry out representation, selection, delegation and control towards the candidates (agents) for the elective offices. An empirical example is the case of post-Soviet Lithuania, whose political development provides the material to analyse the degree of implementation of the major functions of the political parties, as well as to define the main issues of this process. In order to examine the implementation by the political parties of post-soviet Lithuania of the representative, selective, delegative and controlling functions, the theory of the principal-agent relations has been used, as well as methods of quantitative analysis of the electoral statistics. The data of six electoral results of elections to the Lithuanian Seimas from 1992 to 2012 has been used for analysis and comparison. The research has resulted in the conclusion that although the political parties of post-soviet Lithuania, in general, successfully deal with the function of delegation and act as the main actor in this process, they do not fully implement higher functions in the system of principal-agent relations. The political parties of modern Lithuania have problems regarding the control over selected lawmwkers, which is evidenced by the high level of inter-party and inter-faction mobility of the deputy corps. The high level of renewal of the party's cadres during every electoral cycle witnesses the attempts to solve this problem by the party apparatus. Uncertainty of the issues of control over the deputy corps on the part of the parties creates the situation of devalvation of trust towards the party institutions on the part of the electorate, which does not contribute to the process of implementation of the party system, and creates risks for the sustainable functioning of the political system.

Keywords: electorate, political delegation, political representation, political parties, Lithuania, the Baltic countries, democracy, elections, modernisation, policy

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2014.5.11982

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2014.5.54230

Abstract: The present research article is devoted to the main tendencies of political developments, factors infl uencing political developments and transformation of political developments in Western Belarus after the crushing defeat of the Belarusian Peasants’ and Workers’ Union ‘Hramada’ under the conditions of the authorization of the political regime in the Second Polish Republic since 1928 till 1939.The researcher analyzes the main actors of the political process in the region and social aspects of their functioning as well as the infl uence of the policy implemented by the Polish government regarding Belarusian population living in Poland. All these aspects are being viewed taking into account the important geopolitical role of Western Belarus (northeastern Kresy). The researcher bases his research on the interdisciplinary approach and uses both general scientifi c research methods such as analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction and particular scientifi c research methods such as the systems approach and historical analysis methods. The scientifi c novelty of the research is defi ned by the fact that this research is the fi rst attempt made in Russian political science to describe political developments in Western Belarus under the conditions of the authorization of the political regime in the Second Polish Republic. The main conclusions made by the researcher are the following: Western Belarus after the crushing defeat of Hramada by the Polish government faced the decrease of intensity and at the same time quite a diversity of political developments. An important feature of the political developments in Western Belarus was a prevailing role of external factors compared to the internal factors triggering the development of the political process. That become possible as a result of a relatively low potential of ideological confl icts between Ukrainian and Belarusian societies.

Keywords: political developments, Western Belarus, authorization of the political regime, Commonwealth of Poland (‘Second Polish Republic’), Hramada, Communist Party of Western Belarus, Chadecja, Zmahannie, Central Union, Belsanacja.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2014.6.12210

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2014.6.54242

Abstract: The subject under review is the institution of public administration, institution of monarchy and domestic policy processes triggered by the Arab spring. Socio-political upheavals that started in 2011 have involved almost all Arabian countries and made a great infl uence on the reformation of the scope of further political development in the region. As a part of his research, the author of the article makes an attempt to systematize analytical information about the Arab spring in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The author analyzes the reasons of social protests and purposes of opposition groups and consequences of the Arab spring for domestic political processes in Saudi Arabia. The author also makes an attempt to give a long-term outlook on the democratization process in the region. In his research the author has used applied intra-disciplinary research methods of the content analysis and event-analysis. The purpose of the analysis is to analyze the content of texts and products of communications and correspondence. In Saudi Arabia the process of modernization has assumed a very profound character which has been proved by the intensive social transformation. Within one single generation the core of the tribal social structure has been broken down and the life style of the overwhelming majority of population has been completely changed. Despite the fact that the oil reserves have made fundamental changes in the social structure of the region, there is still a need in further economic, legal and administrative transformations in order to maintain a sustainable development of the society and state and respond to all challenges of the modern world.

Keywords: Arab spring, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Advisory Council, Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, modernization, monarchy protest, demonstration, Peninsula Shield.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2014.7.12658

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2014.7.54256

Abstract: The object of studies involves institutions of public administration, institution of monarchy and the internal political proceses infl uenced by the Arabian spring. The social and political turmoil, which has started in 2011, has infl uenced almost all of the Arabian states, having signifi cant impact at the reformatting of the spectre of the further political development in the region. Within the framework of these studies the author attempts to systematize analytical information on Arabian spring in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The author evaluates the causes of public protests, goals of opposition groups and consequences of the Arabian spring for the internal political processes in Bahrain. The author attempts to forecast the further development of the events. Within the framework of the study the author used applied interdisciplinary methods of content-analysis and event-analysis. The object of analysis involves contents of text masses and products of communicative correspondence. Since modernization in the Kingdom of Bahrain involves in-depth processes, there was an intensive social transformation. In the lifetime of one generation the spine of the tribe tradition was broken, and the lifestyles of most of the population have changed profoundly. In spite of the fact that tremendous amount of oil and gas resources had a fundamental impact upon the social structure, there is still need for the further economic, legal, administrative changes for the sustainable development of society and state, and facing all the challenges of the modern world.

Keywords: Arabian spring, revolution, protest, modernization, monarchy, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Shield of the Peninsula, Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the Middle East.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.12.17212

Abstract: The subject of this research is the evolution of the Republic of Venezuela political regime over the period of 1998-2015. The author examines the main stages of evolution of the political regime, analyzes the constitutional changes in the country, as well as presents a comparative analysis of the political regimes of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. As the criteria for comparison, the author uses such characteristic of the regime as the relationship between the government and opposition, as well as mechanisms of legitimization of the regime. Special attention is given to the problem of classification of the regime and nuances of the electoral authoritarianism in Venezuela. The author makes a conclusion on domination of the authoritarian trends in evolution of the political regime of Venezuela. During the presidency of N. Maduro, we can observe the shift in the balance of powers with regards to the government and opposition, which results in the growing conflicts in society, re-orientation of the authorities towards the use of force for ensuring stability. The scientific novelty consists in the comprehensive analysis of the stages and factors of evolution of the political regime of Venezuela, as well as determination of specificity N[WU1] . Maduro’s political regime in the country.  [WU1]

Keywords: Political protest, Political system, Legitimacy, Political opposition, Competitive authoritarianism, Electoral authoritarianism , Chavism, Bolivarianism, Political regime, Venezuela

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.12.54663

Abstract: The subject of this research is the evolution of the Republic of Venezuela political regime over the period of 1998-2015. The author examines the main stages of evolution of the political regime, analyzes the constitutional changes in the country, as well as presents a comparative analysis of the political regimes of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. As the criteria for comparison, the author uses such characteristic of the regime as the relationship between the government and opposition, as well as mechanisms of legitimization of the regime. Special attention is given to the problem of classification of the regime and nuances of the electoral authoritarianism in Venezuela. The author makes a conclusion on domination of the authoritarian trends in evolution of the political regime of Venezuela. During the presidency of N. Maduro, we can observe the shift in the balance of powers with regards to the government and opposition, which results in the growing conflicts in society, re-orientation of the authorities towards the use of force for ensuring stability. The scientific novelty consists in the comprehensive analysis of the stages and factors of evolution of the political regime of Venezuela, as well as determination of specificity N[WU1] . Maduro’s political regime in the country.  [WU1]

Keywords: Political protest, Political system, Legitimacy, Political opposition, Competitive authoritarianism, Electoral authoritarianism, Chavism, Bolivarianism, Political regime, Venezuela