I am embarrassed to learn this late, just today, that the Michigan economist and all-around decent person Jan Svejnar has been combating the Thatcherite Vaclav Klaus for the presidency of the Czech Republic. In the last round of parliamentary vote held today Klaus received 139 and Svejnar 113 votes, neither managing to get the majority needed to get elected. The next vote is scheduled for February 15th.
In the words of one Czech political analyst
[Svejnar] has contributed a great deal to the atmosphere of Czech political culture. His approach has been novel. He decided to run what is referred to here in the Czech Republic as an 'American' campaign. So even though the president is elected by parliament, he traveled around the country, he spoke to people and presented his views. And in a country where the president is elected through behind-the-scenes deals, this was a very refreshing approach. He basically said to the current political establishment: Look, let's do it openly, let's find the best person and not just let someone in who promises the most, behind-the-scenes.
The Czech public and the media were quite skeptical at the beginning but Svejnar really managed to excite the people. The latest opinion polls show that he is gaining on Mr. Klaus or even leading, which means that more people would prefer to see him as president than Mr. Klaus. Given that his campaign has lasted only about two months, this is an amazing achievement. He deserves full credit for being a very good candidate.
Wow. One day he is submitting articles to journals, the next he is running for president...
Why are you embarrassed?
Posted by: Donald | February 10, 2008 at 02:38 AM
Oops, I misunderstood. I thought you were embarrassed that he was running.
Posted by: Donald | February 10, 2008 at 02:39 AM
Are you planning to run in Turkey? =)
Posted by: Hafiz | February 10, 2008 at 03:58 AM
I read one of his papers, it was pretty good. But some people (sociologist David Stark, for instance) would dispute that Klaus was really a Tatcherite.
Posted by: Na Prática a Teoria é Outra | February 11, 2008 at 07:30 AM
Go Blue!
Posted by: minny mouse | February 11, 2008 at 10:31 AM
American econ professor for a President?
Czechs had one too many their excellent beer.
Posted by: mik | February 11, 2008 at 11:21 PM
From his CV (from the link):
"Economic Advisor to the Czech Government (President Vaclav Havel, 1994 -
2003, Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla, 2002 - 04, Deputy Prime Minister
Martin Jahn, 2004 - 2005, Minister of Finance Bohuslav Sobotka, 2002 - 05,
Minister of the Economy Karel Dyba, 1990 - 96)"
I don't know about anyone else, but that raises my eyebrows.
Posted by: happyjuggler0 | February 12, 2008 at 02:16 AM
Er, never mind. I go the Vaclav's confused.
Blushes.
Posted by: happyjuggler0 | February 12, 2008 at 08:37 PM
I am really happy that Jan is running. He was on my Ph. D. committee at Cornell and I have known him for many years since then. He is both an excellent economist and a truly decent(in the sense that George Orwell used the word)person. I continue to learn from him.
Posted by: haider A. Khan | February 15, 2008 at 04:09 AM
I'm really ashamed for the majority of Czech legislators. Nineteen years have gone since Velvet revolution and defeat of Communist party, and Czech level of political culture is still so low. Blackmailing, intimidation, connection between electors and intelligence service, government's influence in prosecution of its opponents. Real separation of powers...
And Mr. Klaus? God be with our judiciary, foreign relations and chairmanship in EU.
What else is interesting in my country? The only respectable and well-mannered politician in parliamentary republic is aristocrat - Prince Karl von Schwarzenberg, whose family was persecuted since the fall of Austrian-Hungarian monarchy...
I still can't belive that we screwed this great chance...
Posted by: Jan Šmakal | February 15, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Where was he for the last 20+ years? Unlike many he had a privilege to travel freely in Communist world. Why did he not return to his so called "Homeland" to build as he said a better country?
He was, (as he claims) offered the job of the premier by now ex. president Vaclav Havel but did not take it.
He should go back to where he came from and anyone even considering this man as decent, should reexamine their values.
Posted by: Drifter | February 17, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Travelling to the Communist world and trying to do "good things" would result in "bad things" for you, my friend.
Do you know the situation about offering the position of prime minister? If I were him, I would reject too.
There was a lot of insults among politicians during the "campaign" and dirty practics but Jan Svejnar did not say even a bad word against his oponents. Also, the way he accepted his loss is at least unusual at our political scene. If that does not mean he is a decent guy then you may be right.
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