Review article
The Royal Borough of Osijek in the Light of Contemporary European Standards of Local Government
Davor Brunčić
; Osječko-baranjska županija, Osijek, Hrvatska
Abstract
In the course of history of human civilization a town is a generator of development and constant change. It stands for its origins and is a stable element that the progress has depended on. Various data on town’s role in the beginning of civilization confirm this, starting from ancient, mediaeval and renaissance towns, towns of industrial age as far as to the towns of modern times. Local self-government is a part of human civilization, a part of its culture and a way of thinking. It is an integral model of all modern democratic political systems in the world. It is not only an expression of citizens’ democratic right but also a form of rational functional organization in social and state community. Thus international community guarantees the existence of local government and supports its progress. A variety of applied models of territorial self-government in European countries makes it impossible to create a unique European model. European integration demands a certain rate of homogenization. Therefore common standards are being built which are expressed in the regulations of the European Union and Council of Europe (acquis communautaire). The standards of local self-government emerge within those frames shaped by a series of international instruments, best expressed in the European Charter of Local Selfgovernment. Osijek acquired the status of Royal Borough rather late – by repurchasing in 1809. As an integral part of feudal privileges it had been used for not longer than forty years. After feudal system had been abolished in 1848, Osijek kept this nominal status but its practical meaning weakened gradually and eventually vanished to have been formally abolished in 1945. The self-government established by the status of Royal Borough, had multiple meanings. Still, it is not a self-government of our time. It was not based on universal suffrage of all citizens that are equal before law. It did not include the institutions of civil democracy that would eventually emerge with development of the middle-class society. Nevertheless, it represented willingness to control individual living conditions by one’s own forces and in this sense it was an expression of the subsidiarity principle according to which the authority closest to the citizens was to be entrusted with problem solving since it can recognize and solve the problem, which represents principles the administrative system of modern countries are based on.
Keywords
town; local government; Royal Borough; Osijek
Hrčak ID:
65549
URI
Publication date:
30.11.2010.
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