Department of Human Geography and Demography, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava and Slovak Geographical Society
take great pleasure in inviting you to


11th Slovak-Czech-Polish Seminarium

„Flows, Spaces and Societies in Central Europe“

June 14th-16th, 2017


Abstract book
Conference Programme


Vendula Svobodová

institutionMasaryk University
e-mail394544@mail.muni.cz
datesJune 13th – 16th (3 nights)

 
Title of contribution:
Flows of Power: Government and Governance in the Unusual Territory
Abstract:
This contribution deals with shapes of power and using on the territory of a small town in relation to its local parts. The territory is unusual by the historical event, which is called integration of small villages. This integration has taken place the most in the 80s when were many small municipalities integrated under bigger towns. The problem of the territory has arisen since these municipalities haven’t detached in the 90s. It was still possible at that time, at present the Act No.128/2000 Sb., about municipalities, precludes independence so small municipalities. This “subordination” of the town results in several disadvantages, whether it is about finance or political power. The topic of this contribution is the distribution of power within this territory and its ability to circulate among different actors, depending on their situation and activities. The aim is, therefore, to clarify what factors and what processes take place as an alleged hierarchy, which seems the only one working on a redistribution of power in the area at first glance.

The research is aimed at the territory of the town Moravské Budějovice and its neighbourhoods: Jackov, Lažínky, Vesce and Vranín. Structured interviews were used for obtaining data and also the focus group methods which were subsequently analyzed using the grounded theory by Strauss and Corbin. The result is the emergence of several categories, the levels at which power struggles taking place. Flows of power and processes that have an influence on power exceed the individual categories, thereby creating linkages across these categories. The most capital issue of the territory is financial situation of local parts, which reflects the lack of interest of the town, which is built itself into the role of the centre and its position strengthens by its rhetoric, as well as their decisions and behaviour.

The proposals for the resolution of the situation are mentioned in the conclusion. There are a community budgeting, establishment of clubs in the municipalities and the total activation of a population. Creating the position of “commissioner”, who represents municipalities in negotiation with the town. Thematically the whole contribution is built on Foucault’s power and then there is the activism of civil society by Ruth Panelli. However, an additional important topic has appeared - the concept of community and participation, which influences the distribution of power in the territory.
 

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Department of Human Geography and Demography | Faculty of Natural Sciences | Comenius University in Bratislava