Book Review: General Politics: Left Parties in Governments
| Published date | 01 May 2013 |
| DOI | 10.1111/1478-9302.12016_85 |
| Author | Yiannos Katsourides |
| Date | 01 May 2013 |
| Subject Matter | Book Review |
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of UNSCR 1325, which is the inclusion of masculini-
cal studies, can give insight into the understanding of the
ties. With the exception of E. Njoki Wamai, who men-
phenomenon of coalition governments.
tions the failures of the resolution to include men in
Drawing on the contributions from nine exceptional
the implementation process in Liberia, none of the
case studies in Europe of parties that have supported or
authors or editors recognises the absence of masculini-
taken part in government, the editors argue that party
ties as a dilemma in translating the policy of UNSCR
system factors which encourage participation in gov-
1325 into practice. The book relies on and furthers the
ernment coalitions include: (a) the ideological distance
traditional divide that conceptualises women as peace-
between left and social democratic parties: the smaller
makers and men as warmongers.
the distance the better; nevertheless, even policy differ-
Nonetheless, Women, Peace and Security offers an
ences do not pose an insurmountable barrier; (b) coa-
insight into some of the practical problems with imple-
litions between left and social democratic parties are
mentation of UNSCR 1325. It suggests plausible alter-
considerably easier whenever the former is not too
natives, for example the development and integration
strong vis-à-vis the latter (electorally speaking). The
of civil society into the implementation strategies of
presence of a green party is no absolute obstacle for left
UNSCR 1325. The case studies examined are thought
parties to be invited to join a government coalition;
provoking and the bottom–top analytical approach pro-
however, it definitely complicates left parties’ choices.
vides solid arguments. Last but not least, the editors
With regard to the direct electoral impact of...
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