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Czechoslovakia has captured the nation's imagination throughout the twentieth century. The Allied betrayal of the country to Nazi Germany in 1938 was to demonstrate the appalling consequences of naive appeasement of aggression. The wholesale reform of Soviet communism in the Prague Spring of 1968 won western support, and sympathy when it was crushed by Warsaw Pact tanks. The fierce communist regime thereafter was brought down almost magically in 1989. Czechoslovakia added to the international political vocabulary the term, 'Velvet Revolution', and the velvet metaphor has characterised much of the country's path-breaking postcommunist transformation and its peaceful break-up in 1993. In separate chapters on history, politics, economics, foreign relations and the new Czech identity, this book not only applauds the successes of the Czech Republic since 1993, but also uncovers the frayed edges of the velvet nation.
The book focuses on the description and analysis of the historical formation of the Czechoslovak and Czech positions in the international system during the course of the 20th century. The first part of the book presents a brief outline of the history of Czechoslovak foreign policy between the First World War and the end of the Cold War. The authors focus on the key periods and turning points in the role of the small Central European state in the international system as well as on the significant actors formulating Czechoslovak foreign policy from the inside and influencing it from the outside. The second, analytical part of the book focuses on the key issues connected to the change of the po...
The book examines the origins, nature, and impact of different facets of political knowledge in the Czech Republic between 1967 and 2014. The central argument presented in this book is that evaluating citizens on the basis of objective, or factual, knowledge alone makes little sense. What citizens know about politics comes from a variety of sources that are complementary. This is the first detailed study of how much Czechs know about politics, and why it matters. Here are some of the key findings of this book. There are many forms of political knowledge.Citizens make decisions using different forms of political knowledge.Czechs knowledge of politics has remained constant over time.How people answer knowledge questions in surveys matters.Political knowledge is shaped by personality traits.Factual knowledge is linked with forecasting social change, but is not always linked with making correct voting.Experts with high levels of knowledge do not agree on what is a correct answer.
The Rough Guide to Czech Republic is the ultimate travel guide, with detailed coverage of all the best attractions the Czech Republic has to offer. Discover the magnificent art galleries and museums in the Czech Republic, visit one of the Czech Republic's world-class concerts or festivals, view Prague's spectacular architecture on a walking tour, or taste the flavours of Czech cuisine, while exploring all the corners of the enchanting Czech Republic with clear maps and stunning photography. Fully updated and expanded, with descriptions and recommendations of the best hotels in Czech Republic and the best restaurants and bars throughout the Czech Republic. Whether you're looking for expert tips for exploring the Czech Republic's varied landscapes, an authoritative background on the history of the Czech Republic, or the low-down on the Czech Republic's sensational festivals, The Rough Guide to Czech Republic is the definitive guide to this enchanting region. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to the Czech Republic!
Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Many tourists visit the Czech Republic knowing no more about it than that the beer is cheap and the women beautiful. That lack of knowledge has led to frustration among Czechs, most of whom are very well-informed about the world around them. Culture Smart! Czech Republic informs you about the traditions, values, and attitudes of a remarkable people. It describes Czech life at home and in the workplace and offers practical advice on what to expect and how to navigate different social situations. The real rewards will come to the visitor who goes beyond the reserve to explore the complex corners of the Czech soul. Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
This book considers the state of Czech democracy, following the rise of authoritarian regimes in Poland and Hungary and the ascent of billionaire oligarch Andrej Babiš to the office of prime minister of the Czech Republic, leading to concerns about conflict of interest. The authors argue that civic values, such as tolerance, respect for the equality of people, and readiness to play by the rules of the political game, are key factors in determining whether the Czech Republic will maintain its democracy in the coming years. The book employs a broad perspective, bringing together insights from political science, sociology, cultural studies, and other disciplines to analyse changes in the democracy of the Czech Republic since 1989, taking into consideration various dimensions of civic values, including politics, gender inequality, film, and the media.
This book examines the Czech Republic’s road to EU membership in 2004 and assesses how EU accession has affected or changed the Czech Republic, including its domestic politics, institutions and policies. It contributes to academic debate about the EU and European integration, Europeanization and the role of small states in the EU.
Culture Smart! Czech Republic informs you about the traditions, values, and attitudes of a remarkable people. It describes Czech life at home and in the workplace and offers practical advice on what to expect and how to navigate different social situations. The real rewards will come to the visitor who goes beyond the reserve to explore the complex corners of the Czech soul. The Czechs value knowledge and cultivation, as well as formality, and so can often come across as a little stiff. However, beneath the layers of social reserve is a country of sincere and caring people. The Czechs are also deeply, darkly funny. They have made laughing through tears a national survival strategy. Many tourists visit the Czech Republic knowing no more about it than that the beer is cheap and the women beautiful. That lack of knowledge has led to frustration among Czechs, most of whom are well-informed about the world around them.
This is a review of the Czech Republic's avifauna, with information on the 394 species recorded since 1800 which includes an overview of the ecology and geography of the country, bird habitats, climate, bird protection and bird areas. Thorough species accounts follow, providing information on each bird's general biology, status and distribution, breeding and winter densities, timing of occurrence and population trends. Each account is accompanied by a distribution map. The book also contains a section on the best birdwatching sites, with access maps and species. To complete the coverage there are checklists for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Explores the interplay of historical institutional legacies, short-term elite interests, and international pressures in the process of democratic consolidation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.