Issue 3, 2004   

Powerful administration - weak politics?

Thomas Meyer, Great Visions in dure times? A new basic policy statement for social democracy, FJ NSB 3/2004, pp. 5-15.

Thomas Meyer explains, why there is a need for a new basic policy statement of the German Social Democrats (SPD). The old one from 1989 offers no concept of justice which matches present problems. The concept of justice offered by the old statement is one-dimensional and cannot legitimize the present reforms, undertaken with Agenda 2010. For this they need a new concept, which they could develop from scientific debate, e.g. Rawls, Sen, Dworkin and the Beveridge-principle. The author shows how these concepts can be transformed into visionary but realistic policies.

Kai-Uwe Schnapp, Éminences grise or loyal servants? Governmental administrations in processes of political decisions, FJ NSB 3/2004, pp.36-42.

Kai-Uwe Schnapp claims, that it cannot be decided normatively if administration holds too much power. Instead their influence on political decisions must be measured and then be judged. For this reason he develops some indicators concentrating on opportunities of influence related to agenda-setting, organisational structures and implementation. He shows, that concerning agenda setting Germany´s political system enables politicians quite well to control the administration. Problems occur related to the organizational structures and implementation.

Reinhard Ueberhorst, Complex politcal alternatives and the right goals for administration , FJ NSB 3/2004, pp. .

Reinhard Ueberhorst claims, that administration needs space for maneuver. To define and restrict this space, goals for administration must be developed. He points out the meaning of these goals and how they are developed. He demands, that administration should develop complex alternatives. Only if all options are known it is possible to find a solution matching the complex situation. For reaching this aim criteria for administration need not to be taken only from one normative concept, but there has to be a dialogue between them. This dialogue makes new solutions possible and is therefore the main task for administration.

Hartmut Bäumer, "You need people, who are at odds" - an interview , FJ NSB 3/2004, pp. .

Hartmut Bäumer explains in an interview, why strong administration is necessary. But he also develops a strategy, how the leading role maintains on the side of politics. The lack of flexibility has to be overcome. A variety of alternative solutions within administration must be encouraged. Close cooperation with protagonists from outside of the administration is also an opportunity to develop new ideas. But the pivotal question is wise manpower policy. Skills such as leadership are decisive.

Willi Kaczorowski, "Connected Republic" as next step towards an integrated strategy of E-Government , FJ NSB 2/2004, pp. 85-90.

Willi Kaczorowski presents the concept of "Connected Republic". It aims at enhanced networking of administration, especially by new technologies. This would make it possible to replace the old pattern of administration, divided into specific ressorts. From this the citizen would not only gain in form of better service, but as administration is also linked to the citizens, there would be better communication between administration and citizens.

Iris Dähnke, Non-Commercial radio and civil society , FJ NSB 3/2004, pp. .

Iris Dähnke presents the radio project "Freies Sender Kombinat" (FSK) (Free Broadcasting Network), placed in Hamburg. She analyzes, how it affects civil society and shows, how the programme tries by alternative radio practice to influence the dominant perception of reality and break with dominant patterns of interpretation. Additionally she presents the consequences for subcultures in Hamburg.

Daniela Kleinschmit, Peter H. Feindt, Responsibles, victims and helping persons BSE and agricultural policy in German newspapers , FJ NSB 3/2004, pp..

Daniela Kleinschmit and Peter H. Feindt analyze the public debate about the change in agricultural policy. Evaluating nationwide newspapers they show, who people thought of as responsible, who as victims, and who as able to solve the problem. They explain, how the government managed to dominate the debate and present itself as able to find a solution. .

Jeffrey Wimmer / Nina Zetsche Ripe quotations - but succesful? Analyse of NGO-PR and media coverage in Germany , FJ NSB 3/2004, pp..

The article aims to analyze the political PR of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from a differentiated perspective. Therefore, a multi-method design is used to analyze the press work of NGOs (BUND, Greenpeace, NABU, WWF) and the relevant press coverage (FAZ, SZ, taz) in the framework of UN climate conferences. The results of this study show that media-related goals of the NGOs are partly achieved, yet are dependant on certain factors.