The Czech Republic

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 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 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 position of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic after 1993 in world politics, and on the formulation of Czech foreign policy priorities and strategies in the globalized world after the end of bipolar confrontation. The authors analytically investigate the activities of the Czech Republic in (Central) European regional integration processes and the integration of the state in the global system of development cooperation. A great deal of attention is paid to the key political actors of the Czech foreign policy discussion and their impact on the formulation of foreign policy goals. Special attention is paid to the dilemmas of Czech foreign policy: the hesitation between the role of a small state and a medium power and also the span of Czech foreign policy between Atlanticism, anti-Americanism and Europeanization.

Featuring essays by Myla Goldberg, Helen Epstein, Jan Morris, and Francine Prose, "Travelers' Tales Prague" collects over 20 stories from the city that inspired compositions from Mozart and novels from Kafka. The pieces in this book are both a charming enticement for prospective travelers and a welcome companion for those already there.

Looks at the history of the borders in the Czech Republic as a result of political, territorial, and economic disputes, and discusses the Velvet Revolution.

The Czech Republic and Economic Transition in Eastern Europe is the first in-depth, comparative analysis of the Czech Republic's economic transition after the fall of the Communist bloc. Edited by Jan Svejnar,a principal architect of the Czech economic transformation and Economic Advisor to President Vaclav Havel, the book poses important questions about the Republic and its partners in Central and Eastern Europe. The thirty-five essayists describe the country's macroeconomic performance; its development of capital markets; the structure and performance of its industries; its unemployment, household behavior, and income distribution; and the environmental and health issues it faces. In this in-depth, comparative analysis of the Czech Republic's economic transition, an international team of thirty-five economists examine the Republic and its partners in Central and Eastern Europe. Important questions and issues permeate the essays. For example, prior to 1939 the Czech Republic possessed the most advanced economy in the region; is it capable of reestablishing its dominance? Relative to its neighbors, the Republic ranks especially high on some transition-related performance indicators but low on others. What economic effects are related to the 1993 dissolution of the Czech and Slovak governments? And what can be learned by comparing the economic outcomes of two countries that shared legal and institutional frameworks? Data describe the country's macroeconomic performance; its development of capital markets; the structure and performance of its industries; its unemployment, household behavior, and income distribution; and the environmental and health issues facing it. Its most important contributions are its clarifications of the transition process. The authors included in Transforming Czechoslovakia combine the best available data and techniques of economic analysis to assess the replacement of the inefficient but internally consistent central planning system with a more efficient market system. These authors, among whom are central European economic analysts, senior U.S. economists, and Czechoslovakian professors and economic researchers, discuss the country's macroeconomic performance; its development of capital markets; the structure and performance of its industries; its unemployment, household behavior, and income distribution; and the environmental and health issues facing it. The essays vary between presentations of history and policy and technical examinations of data. Together they offer the most comprehensive and detailed assessment of the country's economic transformation in print. This book is important because its essayists compile results and reach conclusions that are broad and credible. The empirical data were gathered on the ground and have been subjected to advanced methodologies, including game theory, industrial organization, and Granger-Sims causality.

Welcome to the Czech Republic! There is much to see in this beautiful country, from the sprawling expanse of Bohemian Switzerland National Park to the cultural attractions in historic Prague. Through fact-filled text and colorful photos, this engaging title takes young readers on a journey to see it all! Readers will explore the country’s landscape, wildlife, traditions, and day-to-day life. Along the way, special features show off native animals, introduce popular foods, teach basic Czech phrases, and more. This title is sure to inspire readers to explore the world!

Sate Your Hunger for Knowledge With This Complete Guide to Switzerland's History and Find Out What's Great About This Unique Country. Do you know what's so great about Switzerland? Well, first of all, the flag is a big plus! Mountains, watches, secret bank accounts, cheese, and chocolate - these are just some of the many great things that this country is famous for. The most interesting thing about this small country is that Switzerland always remained neutral even through history's most turbulent periods. How did such a small and cut-off land become so central (and not just in its location) to the events of the western world? In The History of Switzerland, you will be taken on a magnificent journey through Switzerland's history that will answer all questions you may have - from Switzerland's humble beginnings to the modern nation that it is today. So prepare yourself for a unique and incredible journey that will sate your hunger for knowledge and teach you everything about Switzerland. Here are some of the topics you can find in this historical guide: Switzerland's humble beginnings and early history The Swiss Confederacy and Habsburg interference The warriors of Switzerland, Swiss mercenaries, and Swiss Papal Guard Defeat of emperor Maximilian Peasant uprisings and the Thirty Years' War Switzerland's role in World War I, War World II, and between wars Cold War in Switzerland Switzerland and the European Union Present and future of Switzerland And much more! If you want to embark on a unique journey through history and learn everything about Switzerland, then this book will be the perfect guide on that journey. What are you waiting for? Scroll up, click on "Buy Now with 1-Click," and Get Your Copy Now!