scholarly journals Rivalry of Advocacy Coalitions in the Czech Pension Reform

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-134
Author(s):  
Martin Potůček ◽  
Veronika Rudolfová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Pension Reform ◽  
Political Conflict ◽  
Advocacy Coalition Framework ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Advocacy Coalitions ◽  
Advocacy Coalition ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Clear Cut

Abstract The Czech Republic, as many other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, faced and is still facing a pension-reform challenge. The diversification of pension pillars led to the massive displacements of participant contributions from the public PAYG pension pillars to the newly constructed private, defined-contribution, fully-funded pillars. In the Czech Republic, the adoption of the relevant law was preceded by serious political conflict between supporters and opponents of this step (both among different political actors and among professionals). In an analysis of the conflict we critically apply the Advocacy Coalition Framework. We work mainly with the analysis of policy documents, public statements of the individual actors and an analysis of voting on the relevant law in both chambers of the Czech Parliament towards the identification of the crystallization process of two clear-cut coalitions between actors from both sides of the spectrum. The Advocacy Coalition Framework in exploring the dynamics of the public-policy process proved to be able to explain situations where there is sharp political conflict. Through the lens of the devil-shift of both camps (advocacy coalitions with different beliefs), each fell into extreme positions within the coalition to affirm the correctness of their arguments and positions.

Pension policy in the czech republic (lessons from a comparative study with hungary and poland)

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Mora
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Pension Reform ◽  
Pension Policy ◽  
Eu Accession ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Pension Systems ◽  
Accession Process ◽  
The Eu

This article deals with pension policy in three most developed transition countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Unreformed public pension systems suffer under a number of deficiencies and it is likely that pension policy will be a part of negotiations in the EU accession process, mainly due to its fiscal and social impacts. The progress in pension reform made so far differs broadly among those three countries. Hungary has adopted a multi-pillar system in July 1998 with a significant role of mandatory, fully funded pillar. Poland has made important preparation steps in the same direction and the laws have recently been approved by the Parliament. In the Czech Republic the main importance is still attached to the public pay-as-you-go pillar which was in 1994 complemented by private capital pension funds. This article search for explanations of this different development and makes some minimum recommendations for the Czech pension policy. A warning for the Czech government should be that the most pension reforms have been implemented in countries where the old system stood before collapse or had already collapsed. The Czech Republic should not wait until this moment and should take immediate actions to avoid this danger.

scholarly journals Analysis of the perceived condition of forests in the Czech Republic

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 514-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Riedl ◽  
L. Šišák
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Forest Policy ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Public ◽  
Forestry Sector ◽  
Realistic Perception ◽  
Opinion Polls

A realistic perception of the condition of forests, and the attributes of the forestry sector, by the public constitutes one of the basic prerequisites for successful implementation of forest policy in any country. Although data objectively demonstrate that the condition of Czech forests has improved, opinion polls show a gap between the public perception of the condition of Czech forests and the real status of these forests. The reasons for the discrepancy between reality and the perception of the public, and between the results of different surveys, are analysed. The most significant differences were found in perceptions of damage and threats to forests. The effectiveness of communication about forest policy is discussed, and some ways to create more effective communication are examined.

scholarly journals Increase in hepatitis A cases in the Czech Republic in 2008 - preliminary report

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (40) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Fabianova ◽  
J Cástková ◽  
C Beneš ◽  
J Kyncl ◽  
B Kriz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Viral Hepatitis A ◽  
Public Health Protection

The public health protection authorities in the Czech Republic report a rise in cases of viral hepatitis A (HAV) since the end of May 2008. In total, as many as 602 HAV cases have been reported in 2008 until the end of calendar week 39 (28 September).

scholarly journals Consequences of the Public Contract Law for Purchase of Scientific Appliances in the Czech Republic

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 675-681
Author(s):  
Martin Vyklický
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Public Funds ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Flow Of Funds ◽  
Science And Research ◽  
Research Equipment ◽  
Public Contract

This article essentially covers in more detail the consequences of the present wording of the Public Contract Law for purchase of scientific appliances in the Czech Republic. The beginning of the article deals with increasing public expenses in research; then, the problem is defined concerning unsuitable wording of certain provisions of the Public Contract Law; while subsequently, the solution for the problem is searched together with the final comments. Investing of public funds into science and research is probably the most efficient in a long-term horizon. However, the flow of funds for acquisition of scientific and research equipment should be supported by appropriate legislation with such wording and form not to prevent purchases of that equipment. Availability of public funds for something which in fact cannot be, due to wrongly set legislation, acquired by a contracting authority is the problem which must be eliminated through timely implementation of the above proposed changes in the Public Contract Law.

scholarly journals Exploring citizen science in post-socialist space: Uncovering its hidden character in the Czech Republic

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbora Duží ◽  
Robert Osman ◽  
Jiří Lehejček ◽  
Eva Nováková ◽  
Pavel Taraba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Representation ◽  
Science Projects ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Level ◽  
Search Approach ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Citizen science is a relatively new phenomenon in the Czech Republic and currently a general overview of existing citizen science projects is not available. This presents the challenge to uncover the ‘hidden’ citizen science landscapes. The main objective of this paper is to explore the (public) representation of citizen science (CS) projects and to describe their heterogeneity. The study aims to answer the question of what type of projects in the Czech Republic meet the definition of citizen science. Based on a specific methodological data-base search approach, we compiled a set of CS projects (N = 73). During the classification process, two general citizen science categories were identified. The first group (N = 46) consists of “pure” CS projects with a prevalence towards the natural sciences, principally ornithology, and thus corresponding to general European trends. Citizens usually participate in such research in the form of data collection and basic interpretation, and a high level of cooperation between academia and NGOs was detected. The second group of “potential” CS projects (N = 27) entails various forms of public participation in general, frequently coordinated by NGOs. Based on these results, we discuss the position of citizen science in the Czech Republic, including socially-oriented citizen science. Further research is strongly encouraged to achieve a more in-depth insight into this social phenomenon.

scholarly journals ASPHER V4 Working Group supports the road map for professionalising the public health workforce

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Petrakova ◽  
R Otok ◽  
V Prikazsky ◽  
M Dlouhy ◽  
Z Prazanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Current State ◽  
Public Health Profession

Abstract Background The ASPHER V4 Working Group (WG) was established in 2016 and officially launched during the 9th European Public Health Conference in Vienna. One of the key objectives of the WG is to strengthen public health capacity development in V4 countries. The WG supports the implementation of the recently reviewed European Action Plan for Strengthening Public Health Capacities (EAP). The EAP’s review highlighted the need to focus further action on four enabling Essential Public Health Functions (EPHOs) including human resources for public health. This is why the WG is heavily involved in the recent development of a new Road map for professionalising the public health workforce, one of the products of the recently established Coalition of Partners (CoP) that was convened by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in close cooperation with ASPHER and Maastricht University. Objectives Supporting the WHO CoP with a focus on development and further implementation of a new Road map for professionalising public health workforce in V4 countries. Using a new rapid assessment tool to evaluate the state of the public health profession in the Czech Republic. Sharing the report on the current state of public health professions in the Czech Republic with the WG and using it as a comparison of the current state in all V4 countries. Results Key strengths and weaknesses of the first rapid assessment of the current state of the public health profession in the Czech Republic are presented. Key actions are proposed for the WG: a) Preparation of a grant proposal to the International V4 Fund and b) Continuing active involvement in CoP activities. Conclusions The rapid assessment tool for evaluating the state of the public health profession was successfully implemented in the Czech Republic with the close cooperation of academia, researchers, policy makers and practitioners. The summary confirms that further work on the professionalization of the public health workforce is needed. Key messages ASPHER V4 WG is strongly involved in the development of a new road map for professionalising the public health workforce, coordinated by the WHO CoP, ASPHER and Maastricht University. Summary of the first rapid assessment of the current state of the public health profession in the Czech Republic confirms the importance of further action in this area of work.

A contested transition toward a coal-free future: Advocacy coalitions and coal policy in the Czech Republic

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 101283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Ocelík ◽  
Kamila Svobodová ◽  
Markéta Hendrychová ◽  
Lukáš Lehotský ◽  
Jo-Anne Everingham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Advocacy Coalitions ◽  
The Czech Republic

Public stigma of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the Czech Republic

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S554-S554
Author(s):  
K. Mádlová ◽  
L. Kališová ◽  
M. Zajícová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Public Stigma ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Paper Version ◽  
Permanent Memory ◽  
The Media ◽  
Competing Interest

AimsTo find out how the use of ECT in psychiatry is perceived by the public in the Czech Republic.MethodThe questionnaire (8 questions monitoring awareness, knowledge of ECT and its use in modern psychiatry) created for the purpose of this study was shared through internet and also distributed in paper version to public.ResultsThe sample consists of 365 respondents – age average 28.9 years, 62% of females, 53% of university graduates, 44% with secondary education, 3% other education, 27% of healthcare professionals outside the field of psychiatry, 20% of medical students before the start of the traineeship at psychiatry, 53% of the public. Among the respondents, 98% have heard about ECT, 7% of them think that ECT is no longer used. Among the respondents, 62% learned about ECT from the media (film, print). Among the respondents, 22% do not believe in the effectiveness of ECT, 30% think that ECT is abused by psychiatrists, 86% believe that ECT has side effects (personality changes, permanent memory disorders, brain damage, epilepsy). Among the respondents, 77% would agree with ECT, if it should be applied to their relative.DiscussionECT is an effective method in treating of severe mental disorders. But until now the public view is influenced by media. Due to the negative stereotype of the method many people are afraid of this treatment. The interesting fact is that also health professionals and medical students are influenced by public stigma of ECT.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The Advocacy Coalition Framework

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paúl Cisneros
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Advocacy Coalition Framework ◽  
Advocacy Coalitions ◽  
Forthcoming Article ◽  
Advocacy Coalition ◽  
Policy Subsystems ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

This is an advance summary of a forthcoming article in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. Please check back later for the full article. Paul Sabatier and Hank Jenkins Smith introduced the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) in the late 1980s, to refine the theoretical and methodological tools available for the study of the policy process. In the past two decades, the framework has grown in use outside the United States, and it is now applied to study a broad range of policy arenas in all continents. ACF scholars have created a core community that regularly synthetizes findings from applications of the framework, giving the ACF the form of a true research program. The ACF has three principal theoretical domains: advocacy coalitions, policy subsystems, and policy change. Expectations about the interactions between and within these domains are contained in 15 main hypotheses. The ACF posits that advocacy coalitions and policy subsystems are the most efficient way to organize actors interested in the policy process for empirical research. The policy subsystem is the main unit of analysis in the ACF, and there are four paths leading to policy change. The aspect that has received more attention in existing applications is the effect that external events have on policy change, and some areas in need of refinement include: policy-oriented learning, interactions across subsystems, the theoretical foundations to identification of belief systems, and how the interactions between beliefs and interests affect coalition behavior.

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