Parties and Democracy in the Eastern European Countries Essay

Parties and Democracy in the Eastern European Countries - Essay Example Parties help fix the newly established democratic governments in a broader community and influence their stability among the numerous processes of quick social and industrial change. Valuable constitutions and the various processes implicated in the rule of law are reinforced by the possibilities parties put forward for the progress of a more active citizenry and the appearance of a strong democratic political way of life. "There are also strong reasons to believe such conditions are conducive to stable processes of economic development and the formation of effective market economies" (ibid, p.2). The concentration on electoral activity and the methods parties use to reach administration office are particularly important. To the extent of post-communist eastern Europe, it can be stated that involvement in competitive elections is a foremost attribute of party identity development and the advancement of such organizations. Party competition is an important characteristic of the contemporary governments that differentiates them from the single party totalitarianism of the communist era and offers at the present moment a real focus of attention. The single-party government that existed within the Soviet dictatorship, and afterwards reached other parts of Europe and the world, had nothing in common with the experience of the democratic competitive party regime. Modern Eastern Europe contains most of the post-communist countries and the main part of former the Soviet Union. Lewis gives the following classification of eastern European countries: "east-central Europe: Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic; the Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; the Balkans: Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and the most of the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) former Soviet republics: Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine" (ibid, p.5). 1989 was an important year both for the states of eastern Europe and the growth of a democratic Europe in general. Its most outstanding image can be seen in opening wide of the strongly protected gates set in the Berlin Wall and the enthusiasm with which the inhabitants of Berlin set about its destruction, but consequently it was a process of creation that would do most to resolve how long and in which form this recently received liberty would exist. This probably influenced Velvet revolution in the Baltic states with final fall of the Soviet empire. The main part of the process was the construction of new political organizations and the establishment of a variety of parties competent in expressing the viewpoints and objectives of contemporary population. On the other hand, there was a serious problem faced by the number of post-communist countries - the lack of experience of liberal democracy and the comparative limitation of party development after the countries had gained independ ence. The building of civil society as the main focus of political interest has succeeded during the recent years, since general civil liberties, gained by people, have influenced their outlook and political viewpoints. This is the main characteristic of 'subunits, capable of opposing and countervailing the state' (Gellner, 1991, p.500).  

Oxfam. Outline Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Oxfam. Outline - Assignment Example Oxfam’s mission is with thousands of local partner organizations and people living in poverty who strive to exercise their human rights as well as assert their dignity as full citizens and take control of their lives (Oxfam). The organization’s values are the rights to; be heard, life and security, basic social services, sustainable livelihood, and an identity (Oxfam). A close look at Oxfam’s background history, structure, and activities reveals how its mission and values are achieved. Oxfam as an NGO can be defined by both its level of orientation and level of operation. By its level of orientation, Oxfam has tasked defined itself as a multi-faceted organization. The organization is defined through its service, charity, empowerment, and participatory orientation towards its target population (ECBP 64). Through its level of operation, Oxfam can be defined as an international NGO that is responsible for funding projects, institutions, local NGO’s, and also implementing projects. Founded in 1942, Oxfam’s initial primary concern was to provide food to famine hit populations (Lang 56). The organization has greatly diversified and shifted its focus from simply delivering emergency relief but rather focused on implementation of long-term developmental programs in vulnerable populations across the globe. As an amalgamation of a group of independent non-governmental organizations, Oxfam international got born in 1995. The organization has 17 affiliates in va rious countries that assist it to carry out its mandate according to its vision and mission (Oxfam). The organization carries its operation through its member affiliates in over 90 countries across the globe. As an NGO, Oxfam works in various fields but its main task gets associated with overseeing social transformation and the uplifting of quality of life. Oxfam can get defined as both a developmental and humanitarian emergency organization (Rugendyke 100). The