ALEXANDER DUGIN AND MOSCOW’S NEW RIGHT RADICAL INTELLECTUAL CIRCLES AT THE START OF PUTIN’S THIRD PRESIDENTIAL TERM 2012-2013: THE ANTI-ORANGE COMMITTEE, THE IZBORSK CLUB AND THE FLORIAN GEYER CLUB IN THEIR POLITICAL CONTEXT*
Andreas UMLAND
Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation | Kyiv, Ukraine | andreas.umland@stanfordalumni.org
Abstract
This paper contextualizes a brief moment in the development of Russian right-wing intellectualism in a volatile transition period of the Putin System. It briefly introduces three new far right circles the appearance of which, it is argued, signified a novel stage in the development of the Russian extreme right within the peculiar conditions of Russia’s post-Soviet neopatrimonial regime. The paper focuses on the personae of Aleksandr Dugin – one of post-Soviet Russia’s most prominent fascist ideologues and the prime proponent of “neo-Eurasianism.” The paper also briefly touches upon the significance of the 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine for the radicalization of Putin’s authoritarian rule and its resulting rapprochement with the Russian extreme right.
Keywords
Dugin, Putin, Russia, Russian right-wing.
IMPROVING STRUCTURAL INTERVENTIONS THROUGH THE EVALUATION PROCESS. CASE STUDY – THE REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAM OF ROMANIA 2007 – 2013
Mihaela AIOANEI, PhD
National University of Political Studies and Public Administration | Bucharest, Romania | Universidad Complutense de Madrid | Madrid, Spain | mihaela.aioanei@dri.snspa.ro
Abstract
This paper is part of a broader study that addresses the topic of the role of evaluation within the System of Structural Instruments in Romania. The main objective is to identify the mechanisms that can lead to the institutionalization of evaluation as an instrument of public interventions improvement. The study is based on several key assumptions: the current maturation level of the evaluation culture in Romania is still incipient, the development of the evaluation process is considered only under the framework of structural instruments, the low impact of the evaluation practice towards the interventions at stake and the waste of financial, human and time resources that is being generated when a system does not fulfill its main purpose. The current article presents a study case of the evaluation system developed under the Romanian Regional Operational Program during the financial cycle 2007 – 2013. The research is based on an analysis of the evaluation process that aims to highlight its strengths and weaknesses as well as to determine a set of main factors that influence the capacity of the process to achieve its purpose, namely to contribute to the increase of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Regional Operational Program. The article is focused on the analysis of the perspective of the stakeholders that are involved in the management and evaluation process. Therefore it is based on an exploratory approach, analyzing data collected from the hard core side of this sector, which includes the commissioners of the evaluation studies at the level of the program, the managers of the evaluation system at the central level and the external evaluation experts that develop the evaluation studies and deliver the evaluation reports.
Keywords
Evaluation, evaluation utilization, evaluation capacity, structural instruments, Regional Operational Program 2007 – 2013
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FOR EUROPEAN DEFENCE
Maria CONSTANTINESCU, Associate Professor, PhD
DRESMARA/ National Defence University Carol I | Brasov, Romania | mconst_ro@yahoo.com
Abstract
The issue of a common European Union (EU) defence is on the frontline of political and media discussions, in light of the recent evolutions in the security and defence environment. The main challenge in this respect is related to the realism and feasibility of moving beyond political declarations towards a more concrete implementation of a common defence policy, considering the numerous political, military and economic factors involved. The aim of this paper is to analyse the challenges faced by the concept of a common European defence from an economic point of view, considering the evolution of the defence expenditures in the EU member states, compared to the wider European and the global trend. Also, the paper will focus on the impact the economic crisis and the ensuing austerity measures had on the member states and on their cooperation in developing a common approach on defence, with a view on the ways ahead and recommendations on overcoming the difficult challenges in this respect.
Keywords
Challenges, common, costs, defence, economic, integration, policy
THE ENFORCEMENT OF LANGUAGE RIGHTS OF MINORITIES IN ROMANIA. THE PUBLIC POLICIES DESIGNED TO protect and promote the Armenian language
Silvia IORGULESCU, PhD
National University of Political Studies and Public Administration | Bucharest, Romania | silvia_iorgulescu@yahoo.com
Abstract
The object of the article is to analyse a field not often addressed, that of public linguistic policies, and the means by which they are updated or upgraded by enforcing linguistic rights for minority languages at the national level. We begin our assessment from the idea that, in the linguistic field, macro-policies are targeting multiple levels: creating laws that impact the protection of minority languages, funding organizations representing minorities, establishing government institutions that implement and verify the enforcement of the linguistic rights of minorities. The legal framework stipulates these rights, the budgetary allocations provide concrete support for their enforcement, and the institutions verify their implementation. Additionally, we must cite a fourth major component, namely the cooperation between national authorities and the organizations representing minorities. All of these mechanisms are addressed with reference to the Armenian community, which is characterized by specificities and vulnerabilities layered on numerous levels, in an attempt to highlight: the language policies that fall exclusively in the responsibility of the government; the contexts where the need is felt for a close collaboration between the government and minorities (through their representative bodies), the way they complement each other to maintain the language continuity of a minority
Keywords
Language policies, minority, minority language, public policies, the Armenian language
EUROPEAN UNION DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: A CASE STUDY OF THE EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ INITIATIVE
Andrei MORARU
KU Leuven, Master of Science in European Politics and Policies | Leuven, Belgium | moraru.andrei91@gmail.com
Abstract
Despite significant optimism surrounding the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), its success between April 2012 and December 2015 has been limited. This paper aims to determine why the ECI has had limited success and how it can be improved. Using a case study methodology composed of semi-structured qualitative interviews with ECI organizers and document analysis, it identified two sets of causes through the lens of governance theory: (i) legal, practical and logistical and (ii) theoretical. While the former are more technical in nature and thus might be easier to solve, the latter reveal structural limitations, especially linked to the ECI’s priorities. The research reveals contradiction into how these objectives are interpreted by different actors and how the underlying power structure of the community method remains unchanged despite the narrative of innovation. I outline two alternative models to the ECI, the participative and deliberative initiative by drawing on David Held’s theoretical models of democracy. They outline improvements to the ECI by suggesting clearer priorities: citizen inclusion in the decision-making process or continent-wide public deliberation on EU issues.
Keywords
Citizen; community method; democratic governance; European Citizens’ Initiative.
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN EU: A PRESSURE TO AVOID LONG TERM SOCIAL EMPOVERISHMENT
Bogdan MUNTEANU
Associated lecturer with the Department of International Relations and European Integration | National University of Political Studies and Public Administration | Bucharest, Romania | bogdan_munteanu_ro@yahoo.com
Abstract
The paper looks at the empirical evidences (factual data), that unemployment in the young generation in the European Union in 2016 the life of citizens, the welfare and state of national economies, as well as the supra-national aggregations (the markets). In June 2016, the youth unemployment in EU was at 18.5% while this average points that in some countries like Greece and Spain, 1 out of 2 people under 25 years old is still unemployed(Eurostat, 150 and 155/2016). The paper looks at the relationship between youth unemployment and European economic policies, as people aged below 25 in 2008-2009 and that are below 35 today need to have a long term and productive job. I will point out some solutions that come in a wide consensus to address the problem. For this reason, to create jobs today is a must for economies. The article analyses statistical data from official EU publications, synthesizes the main findings, employing methodologies such as CBA (“cost-benefit analysis”) from social and economic viewpoint and “as is – to be” analysis, looking at empirical evidence of social trends, demographics and social statistics methods (i.e. EU unemployment). In regards to policy implications, interlink between financial and labour markets should point to the need for structural reforms and the possible solutions.
Keywords
Education, ISLM model, labour market, monetary measures, retirement, youth unemployment.
THE HUMANITARIAN IMPACT OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
Ioana M. PETRESCU
National University of Political Studies and Public Administration | Bucharest, Romania | ioana.petrescu@snspa.ro
Abstract
Economic sanctions have the reputation of harming the population in the sanctioned countries. In this paper, I investigate under what circumstances such harm occurs and what is its magnitude. I estimate the impact of in utero exposure to sanctions episodes on infant weight, child height, and child mortality. Using a large child level data set from 69 countries, I find that being exposed to sanctions leads to lower infant weight and higher probability of death before age three. I find negative effects only for children exposed to the first two years of sanctions.
Keywords
Child health, child mortality; child height; child weight economic sanctions
GOVERNANCE OF SMART SPECIALISATION: EXPERIENCES OF FOUR EUROPEAN REGIONS
Raluca SĂFTESCU, Elena SIMION, Cosmina PAUL, Marius MITROI
Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI) | Bucharest, Romania | raluca.saftescu@uefiscdi.ro, elena.simion@uefiscdi.ro, cosmina.paul@uefiscdi.ro, marius.mitroi@uefiscdi.ro
Abstract
In the present article we compare four European regional development models in order to conclude on good practices on smart specialisation. The concept of smart specialisation (European Commission, 2008, Foray et al., 2009, S3 Platform, 2016) has been placed at the core of the European regional development strategies and it brought the focus on local endowments, international network orientation of the regions and their potential for excellence globally. That encouraged the regions’ governments to align their actions to the general consent and to adopt place-based policies which foster innovation. The analysis draws from four European regions, each with a different innovation performance, according to the Regional Innovation Scoreboard: South-East Ireland is an Innovation Follower, Castilla de la Mancha, Spain and Central Hungary, are moderate innovators, while Bucharest-Ilfov in Romania is a modest innovator. Their different level of development gives a broader perspective on the regional development policies and, therefore, it allows us to identify good practices of smart specialisation approach and their current position in the global value chain. The present article is not limited to the description of various models for smart specialisation governance, but it also proposes a series of recommendations to better capitalise regional strengths and to create regional governance environments that generates smarter public services supportive for entrepreneurship, wealth creation and growth.
Keywords
European Union, innovation, local governance, regional policy, smart specialisation
BOOK REVIEW
Christian Ghymers, Patricio Leiva. 2016. Construyendo el Espacio Común De Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Asociación Estratégica Birregional (Building the Common Space for Higher Education, Technology and Innovation for the Strategic Biregional Association). Belgium, 644 pages
Ioana Antoaneta DODI, PhD.
National University of Political Studies and Public Administration | Bucharest, Romania | ioana.dodi3@gmail.com
BOOK REVIEW
Boaz Ganor, 2015. Global Alert. The Rationality of Modern Islamist Terrorism and the Challenge to the Liberal Democratic World, Columbia University Press, USA, 218 pages
Mihai MURARIU, PhD
Independent Researcher | mihai_murariu85@yahoo.com
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