Corporatism has been an influential doctrine in the Slovenian polity since its beginning. After the onset of democratization in the early 1990s, its influence remains strong. Forms of corporatism are embodied in the National Council as the second chamber of parliament, in the chamber system, the system of social partnership and the RTVS (Public Television of Slovenia) Council. It is also present in certain socio-political priorities such as a higher value being placed on partnership over competition, on fairness over human rights, on community over individualism. Social pluralism has always been a part of Slovenian public life. Political pluralism emerged at the end of the 19th century and was never fully developed. There has always been a strong inclination in the political life of Slovenia to organize around interest groups and editorial boards of various publications, a tendency that reveals a plurality of voices but a general unwillingness to fight for political power. It could also be concluded that the development of pluralism in Slovenia relies heavily on corporatism because of the general lack of liberal foundations.

Background This paper is related to the current stage of development in the Western Balkans. Despite becoming growing instruments to finance sustainable green development, debt swaps and social or sustainability bonds are relative novelties in this region. At the same time, the development needs are huge, especially in the light of the COVID-19 aftermath. Results The review of both historic financial instruments, such as the debt for nature swaps, and more recent ones, such as sustainability bonds in its variations, highlight the potential for use in developing countries. The relatively recent case from Montenegro and the recent issuance of the green bond in Serbia showcase the possibilities. The focus of this paper is an analysis of the public debt position of Western Balkan countries. The growing level of public debt over the past decade points to a lack of adequate interventions and a relatively imminent need for fiscal consolidation. The research suggests that environmental, social, governance/sustainability-linked bonds and debt-for-climate swap investments as innovative financial instruments that hold promise in leveraging additional finance to support the sustainability goals of the six countries of the Western Balkans. This influx of capital would be particularly advantageous, given their needs relative to EU accession and their economic and structural challenges. The recommendations for policymakers are derived based on the history and features of green bonds as well as debt-for-nature swaps and their diverse underlying mechanisms which are adaptable to the respective countries. Conclusions The related countries would benefit from exploring more innovative approaches to finance sustainable societies. In close cooperation with the EU and taking the European Green Deal into consideration, it is recommended that the six countries of the Western Balkans design financing mechanisms that will bring increased transparency to the different policies and more accountability for their implementation. Applying the recommended modality may help keep the problem of the public debt at bay, while additional funds may support implementation of structural reforms.

Povzetek. Politologija je v svetu postala močna etablirana znanstvena disciplina šele v dvajsetem stoletju kot refleksija in opora procesom demokratizacije in dekolonizacije. Z utrjevanjem projekta izgradnje slovenske države v okviru projekta jugoslovanskega socialističnega samoupravljanja in poglabljanja nestrankarske demokracije pa se je oblikovala tudi prva institucija za politične vede v Sloveniji – Visoka šola za politične vede. Tedaj je politologija vključevala družbene vede v celoti, tj. sociologijo, zgodovino, filozofijo, psihologijo, ekonomijo, pravo. Politične vede so postopno postale ožji pojem od družboslovja, politologija pa ena od družboslovnih disciplin. To kaže tudi poimenovanje fakultete: od Visoke šole za politične vede k Fakulteti za družbene vede. Hkrati je stekel še proces diferenciacije v okviru politologije, tako da se kot samostojno področje v slovenskih razmerah razvijejo mednarodni odnosi, obramboslovje, analiza politik ter javna uprava in politična teorija. Ta štiri področja so oblikovala tudi posebne študijske programe na dodiplomski, magistrski in doktorski ravni. Tako so organizirani tudi raziskovalni centri na področju politologije. Ključni pojmi: politologija, Adolf Bibič, demokratizacija, Hegel, humanizem

In the paper we attempt to address principal issues of political history as part of the political science curriculum today, ranging from 'what to teach' to 'how to teach'. Assuming the necessity in contemporary information society of selecting information rather than only accessing it, we propose approaches, such as topics networking, to create political arguments by using historical facts. We also propose successfully tested teaching methods, such as facilitation and hermeneutical procedure, aimed at upgrading lecturer-student interaction and equipping students with precious communication skills

Background: This paper is related to the current stage of the development in the Western Balkans. Despite becoming a growing instrument to finance sustainable development green, debt swaps and social or sustainability bonds are a relative novelty in this region. At the same time the development needs are huge, especially in the light of the Covid-19 aftermath. Results: We have analyzed the public debt position in the Western Balkans countries which points to the deteriorated new debt accumulation perspective especially in the light of the growing public debt over the past decade. Our research suggests that the ESG/Sustainability-linked bonds and debt-for-climate swaps as innovative financial instruments seem to be promising to leverage additional finance into sustainability goals in the Western Balkans Six given their need on the EU track and their economic and structural challenges. After briefly discussing the methodological approach, we discuss the history and features of green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps and their diverse underlying mechanisms. Then we derive recommendations for policymakers in designing future green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps and apply these to national circumstances in the Western Balkans Six. Conclusions: The related countries need to explore more innovative approaches to finance sustainable societies. In the close cooperation with the EU and related to the European Green Deal countries of the Western Balkans six should feel motivated to design financing mechanisms that will bring in the more transparency into the different policies and the more accountability for their implementation. The EU should stand ready to use its cohesive and pre-accession funds to support such market mechanisms, which can bring the cooperation to the next level. Applying the recommended modality may help keep the problem of the public debt be kept at bay while additional funds may support implementation of thestructural reforms.