No 3 (2008)

In the article the author undertakes the examination of political leadership in India paying attention to its objective as well as subjective aspects. Leaders’ and their followers’ behavior is greatly influenced by their membership of the basic ascriptive groups. The relations between those who lead and those who follow them are the patron-client relations. Resources and protection are exchanged for political support. The author regards vertical and horizontal social divisions, the coexistence of traditional and modern layers as well as the existence of caste, religious, ethnic and linguistic groups as the important features of the leadership situation This duality, as author argues, serves the interests of the Indian political elite, as it provides it with much opportunity for political mobilization.

Relations with the West are currently among the Vietnamese foreign policy priorities. For Socialist Republic of Vietnam that promotes renovation policy and integration into the international community and global economy, further development of the relations with the US and the European Union can ensure the political support which is of primary importance for the success of Vietnamese reforms. Vietnamese politicians define these relations as ones since they provide considerable benefits and at the same time pose new challenges in front of the Vietnamese authorities. The latter concern the changing approach of western democracies to other states domestic policy especially introduction of Westernstyle liberalization and raising human rights issues. In such situation Vietnam has to seek balance between comprehensive economic, humanitarian and political cooperation and restraining of communist regime «peaceful evolution». In the last decade official Hanoi has made great diplomatic efforts to avoid western attempts to meddle into Vietnamese internal affairs and tried to preserve domestic stability. On the other hand SRV has met western requirements to the extend which does not infringe on Vietnamese national interests. The article analyses Vietnamese tactics in two issues which have influenced diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Western states in recent years namely the growing activity of the political dissidents and a situation with ethic minorities of the Central Highlands.