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Hidden Economy in Macedonia Policy Brief 1: The Economics of Blurs and Shadows – The Hidden Economy in Macedonia

Hidden Economy in Macedonia Policy Brief 1: The Economics of Blurs and Shadows – The Hidden Economy in Macedonia

Author(s): Author Not Specified,Center for Research and Policy Making CRPM / Language(s): English

he Center for the Study of Democracy, in collaboration with the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) elaborated a series of policy briefs analyzing the hidden economy in Macedonia. The topics encompass the issues of countering undeclared labour, tax evasion and fraud, media reporting on hidden economy and corruption, etc. The current policy brief underlines that undeclared work, being one of the main manifestations of hidden economy, becomes the bull’s-eye for many countries focusing on reshaping their social and economic policies in order to tackle this issue, especially since the onset of the economic crisis that hit Europe and the World in 2008. The most recent economic indicators coming from Europe show that this crisis has not concluded and European economies are yet to deal with its mid and long-term consequences. Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries are not exempt from this process, with job creation and policies targeting unemployment (28.2% as of Q2 2014) being a major concern and a focal point of political activity. Low growth prospects in the EU and sluggish economic conditions forecasted in 2014 are also limiting Macedonia’s growth prospects, which at this point are still positive at around 4% GDP growth annually (4.3% as of Q2 2014). The authors highlight several key points: According to results from the population survey, the proportion of employees with a primary employment receiving ‘envelope’ payments or temporary service contracts in addition to their salary is about one-third of the employed population; Almost 7% of employees work without a contract and are not being paid social security contributions. Combined with the abovementioned fact, this indicates the salary of about 40% of employees with a primary employment is partially or completely undeclared; More than half of employers confirm that signing contracts with ‘hidden clauses’ happens in their sector; Macedonia’s main focus in tackling undeclared work, just as most Eastern European Countries, is on Labor Law violations). Repressive measures and others aimed at improving detection are the dominant policy approach.

Tracing Back the Bulgarian Clerk: Public Images of the Profession (Late 19th – early 20th centuries)

Tracing Back the Bulgarian Clerk: Public Images of the Profession (Late 19th – early 20th centuries)

Author(s): Galina Goncharova / Language(s): English

The traditional sociological notion of the role combines the presumption of rationality with the metaphor of theatrical performance. On the one hand, the role notion presupposes typization and instrumentality, or setting up and upholding certain normative prescriptions. On the other hand, it refers to a situation of communication and representation – assessment and orientation of your own acts in accordance with the “presence” of the others’ roles – that comes to the fore. As two ultimate explications of these two characteristics we can treat the ideal model of Webber of bureaucracy and the interactive symbolism of Goffman; and as an attempt to bridge them together we can view the definition of Berger and Luckmann.

Neither “East” nor “West”: The Past and Present Life of Yugoslav Identity

Neither “East” nor “West”: The Past and Present Life of Yugoslav Identity

Author(s): Zala Volčič / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serbia between East and West;

The above research explores questions about the ways in which group identities are formed, and the functions that they serve. It simultaneously recognizes that it is not just the legal statutes, but also the every-day practices to which they are attached, that define identities of any community. It is this array of cultural and symbolic resources that I am interested in developing further in my article. I focus here on how and which generational (and class) distinctions are understood, negotiated and put to work by actors themselves. Through in-depth interviews with young Slovenian and Macedonian intellectuals from the last Yugoslav generation I explore the perception of Yugoslav identities and I argue for its understanding as a hybrid. I suggest that understanding it as a hybrid helps to unveil the complexities of social reality, its diverse and multiple dimensions, the overcoming of traditional/modern/postmodern models, and at the same time, it resists the boundaries and dichotomies (neither/nor).

Price Reform and Pricing in the Transition to Market Economy, August 1994

Price Reform and Pricing in the Transition to Market Economy, August 1994

Author(s): Vesselin Passev / Language(s): English

As a result of factors, characteristic of centralized planned economy and particularly pronounced in Bulgaria due to the lack of a significant private sector as had been preserved in Poland, Hungary, GDR, and Czechoslovakia, the economic reform in Bulgaria began with a liberalization of prices and dismantling of the monopolistic structures in industry and the services. The shock liberalization of prices was the only way to a speedy overcoming of the huge disproportion between the supply and demand. It is our view that if the liberalization of prices had begun already in the first year of the reform - 1990, their rise might have been more moderate and would not have had such a strong negative impact on the standard of living of the population. Unfortunately, the liberalization of 40 per cent of the prices of goods and services included in the government's program was not introduced and that for purely political reasons, as the government of the ruling Communist Party was driven by populist considerations. In February 1991 the first government with the participation of ministers from outside the Communist Party undertook a liberalization of about 80 per cent of the prices of goods and services. Within a month following the liberalization of prices, inflation, measured through the consumer price index, reached 222.9 per cent. Only a group of 14 essential goods and services, among which fuels and electric power, as well as certain staple foods, remained under state control.

In search of new routes. Ukraine's foreign trade after the Revolution of Dignity

In search of new routes. Ukraine's foreign trade after the Revolution of Dignity

Author(s): Sławomir Matuszak / Language(s): English

Keywords: Ukraine's foreign trade

The Ukrainian-Russian war not only came as a shock to the Ukrainian political elite and public – it also turned out to be a kind of a shock therapy for the Ukrainian economy. Very serious and deep changes have taken place in Ukraine’s trade co-operation with other countries since 2014. The Kremlin’s aggressive moves caused Ukraine to lose not only a major share of its market in Russia but also in the remaining post-Soviet countries and contributed to the collapse of the sale of products of the machine industry, the only Ukrainian export with a high added value. In turn, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement with the EU proved to be an effective tool helping the Ukrainian economy to overcome the crisis and compensate for the consequences of the collapse of trade with post-Soviet countries. This was possible even though the expectations of representatives of the Ukrainian government that the EU market would soon compensate for the lost post-Soviet markets turned out to be unrealistic, in particular in the case of industrial production. At present, Ukraine relies on exports of raw materials and low processed products to an even higher degree than before the crisis. The only difference is that metallurgical products have been replaced as the dominant exports by products of the food and agricultural sector.

Review of the Economic Development in the Western Balkan States

Review of the Economic Development in the Western Balkan States

Author(s): Paulina Biernacka / Language(s): English

Keywords: Economic Development; Western Balkan States

Foreword Ten years after the end of the armed conflict, the Western Balkans are still being considered as the "land of the unsuccessful policies". Enormous financial and technical assistance transferred by the International Community has not managed to meet the goals of integrating the region within itself as well as within the European markets. Explanation for this can be found in the consequences of the war and the remnants of the socialist state. The complexity of current institutional/ political arrangements combined with the limited willingness of the regional actors to introduce and implement much of the needed reforms have additionally contributed to the current state of affairs.The economy and politics in the region intertwine to an extent as probably in none of the other post-communist states. Therefore, the paper presents the recent economic performance of the Western Balkan countries in the light of their limited institutional development and lack of efficient regional cooperation. The paper discusses the importance of foreign direct investments' inflow for the economic growth of the "latecomer" states and presents major drawbacks which limit the influx of the foreign capital to the region. It presents private sector activity and regional cooperation programmes. It discusses the role of the International Community with the main focus on the activities of the European Union. The EU is examined not only as the main aid donor but more importantly as a foreign trade partner. Furthermore, it analyses the impact of the presence of the International Community and their strategies towards the region with the special attention to the EU. Finally, it presents recommendations for the improvement of the economic performance in light of the enhanced political cooperation between the EU and the region.

Energy poverty in Macedonia

Energy poverty in Macedonia

Author(s): Ana Stojilovska,Sonja Zuber / Language(s): English

Keywords: Macedonia; energy poverty; EU integration; market economy; policy reforms;

Energy poverty has challenged the already socially fragile Macedonia on its way to EU integration. This paper analyzes the state of energy poverty in Macedonia and the policies tackling it in order to draft policy recommendations for their improvement to the respective stakeholders. Tackling energy poverty is important in order to bring the country on a sustainable path.

Prisons in Serbia (July – October, 2010)

Prisons in Serbia (July – October, 2010)

Author(s): Marija Jelić,Gordana Lukić-Samardžija,Ljiljana Palibrk,Ivan Kuzminović / Language(s): English

Keywords: Požarevac penitentiary; reformatory for women; quality and conditions of life; security; legality of the prison regime; re-socialization; contact with the outside world; institutional personnel; special prison hospital; county prison in Novi Sad;

The team of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia (HCHRS) has always paid particular attention to the Penitentiary-Reformatory for Women in Požarevac given that it is the only institution in Serbia for women under sentence, with numerous specificities this entails. Having in mind the reports on previous visits, it can be concluded that the prison conditions are still far from adequate, although steps have been taken regarding the maintenance and renovation of this institution. Certain parts of the prison are decently adapted and furnished given that these activities are funded by modest working capital, however the majority of accommodation facilities remain in need of urgent transformation. This refers to an entire wing of the prison ward in particular, as well as to the numerous premises used both by the prisoners and the staff. It should be noted that some of the buildings of the Penitentiary-Reformatory for Women in Požarevac are among the oldest in the system of the execution of criminal sanctions of the Republic of Serbia. The main building was built 136 years ago, and has since been considerably reconstructed twice (in 1911 and 1971).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Confucius Institutes; educational institution; Chinese government; Chinese language and culture; intellectual freedom;

The Confucius Institutes (CIs) are non-profit educational institutions funded by the Chinese government, with the stated purpose of promoting Chinese language and culture. Since the launch of the Confucius Institutes programme in 2004, the large-scale initiative has been described as a Chinese “soft power” success. The Confucius Institutes have secured a number of partnerships with universities in 146 countries around the world, including in NATO member states. In 2017, there were 525 Confucius Institutes at colleges and universities, as well as 1,113 Confucius classrooms at primary and secondary schools. The CI initiative takes on a number of measures that differentiate it from other cultural institutions, particularly in the way the CIs become a structural unit of a host university and employ a double directorship system. However, the motives behind this large-scale initiative and the procedures of installation in host countries have attracted criticism, in particular the lack of transparency concerning the university contracts, hiring policies and financial aspects. Moreover, reports of self-censorship on sensitive political and historical topics (such as Tibet, Taiwan, or the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989) by both Chinese teachers and local university professors have raised concerns about intellectual freedom. Several scandals in 2014 involving instances on censorship cast light on the hard-line approach applied by the previous Director General, and the tight control exerted by the CI’s governing body Hanban and the Chinese Ministry of Education. The controversy resulted in the non-renewal of CI contracts in several universities in the US and Europe and greatly contributed to the perception of CIs as an instrument of Chinese influence.

Centre for European Policy Studies. Highlights 2015-16

Centre for European Policy Studies. Highlights 2015-16

Author(s): Karel Lannoo,Daniel Gros,Kerstin Born-Sirkel,Sally Scott / Language(s): English

Keywords: European Union; migration crisis; Grexit; Brexit; energy policy; climate change; environmental policy; asylum seekers; refugee crisis; economic development; economic policy; investments; trade;

Turbulent times continue to provide plenty of food for thought. We are proud that CEPS has managed for several decades to provide expert analysis to an increasingly broad group of stakeholders on topical issues. For example, we have recently examined the migration crisis and the implications of a possible Grexit or Brexit for the EU. We have also addressed more long-standing policy problems such as Energy Union, innovation and deep and comprehensive agreements with important trading partners. With an eye to long-term global issues, CEPS was active in the negotiations for a new international climate change regime, providing a valuable and officially acknowledged contribution to the agreement reached at the COP21 in Paris. The last few months have also seen a worsening of the refugee crisis. Building on decades of research in the fields of migration and asylum, we have put forward concrete and evidencebased policy recommendations to decision-makers both in Brussels and in the national capitals.

Centre for European Policy Studies. Highlights 2016-17

Centre for European Policy Studies. Highlights 2016-17

Author(s): Joaquín Almunia / Language(s): English

Keywords: European Union; migration crisis; Brexit; populism; policy making; economic policy; international relations; foreign policy; trade; economic development; security;

CEPS’ mission statement seems even more compelling today than it did when it was first adopted many years ago. Thinking ahead for Europe is imperative in light of the urgent challenges confronting the EU today, such as migration, Brexit and the rise of populism. This also applies to the many complex policy domains, such as energy union, capital markets union, economic governance, foreign policy and institutional reform, that require independent, authoritative and evidence-based analysis. Assessments by experts and carefully produced facts and figures tend to remain below the radar screen of current public discourse and they rarely make headlines. But these elements fully retain their value in today’s world in which policy-makers regularly face immensely difficult choices to address problems that are not susceptible to simple solutions or slogans. It is in this spirit that we pursue our work at CEPS.

CEPS. Annual Report 2017-18

CEPS. Annual Report 2017-18

Author(s): Joaquín Almunia,Karel Lannoo / Language(s): English

Keywords: European Union; populism; fake news; political manipulations; economic policy; jobs; human resources; energy; climate changes; governance; economic development; policy making; security;

Populists usually don’t have much use for complexity. They prefer to build their proposals on the basis of simplistic ideas about the pluralism of our societies and the definition of their electoral platforms. Moreover, we are in the midst of a period when “fake news” competes with reality in an attempt to attract the support of citizens or to manipulate their understanding of what is actually going on. Nowadays, the role of think-tanks is more important than ever before in exposing and countering these trends and providing authoritative analysis to policy-makers and other stakeholders. Based on rigorous analysis of the relevant literature, facts and data, think tanks make an essential contribution to the decision-making process by increasing the awareness of the new challenges and providing educated insights. Their findings and recommendations are instrumental in the design of effective policies, capable of achieving viable outcomes.

International Business Environment

International Business Environment

Author(s): Alina Irina Popescu,Ana Maria MARINOIU,Irina Elena Ion,Radu Cristian Muşetescu / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2019

Objectives: - To present the main components of the international business environment - To develop the competence of analysing the components of the international business environment (of different types of economic, political and legal systems existing on the globe, national culture, sociodemographic and technological factors affecting the development of international business)

Business Internationalization and Modes of Entry into Foreign Markets

Business Internationalization and Modes of Entry into Foreign Markets

Author(s): Gheorghe Hurduzeu,Irina-Eugenia Iamandi,Cosmin Silviu Raul Joldes,Bogdan CERNAT-GRUICI,Radu Filip / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Objectives: - To emphasize the fundamental factors of business internationalization - To study the four strategies of business internationalization - To analyse the stages of business development at international level - To understand the modes of entry into foreign markets

Moldova: Decentralisation of the Education Reform and Spending for Education

Moldova: Decentralisation of the Education Reform and Spending for Education

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Education; financing education;

The aim of the SPENDING FOR EDUCATION IN R.MOLDOVA is to assess the current statute of the financing of pre-university education, highlight the main setbacks of the system and track relevant indicators to the educational services provided to the population. This study emerged from in partnership with the Brookings Institution. // The Study combines several kinds of data: official statistics provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, regular monitoring indicators of the Ministry of Education, as well as data collected from the schools of Moldova, through a comprehensive Survey, implemented during the months of February – April 2008. The analysis considers in great details the institutional dynamics of the pre-university education in the last decade, in correlation with the overall demographic and social-economic trends of the country. // Budgetary spending for the pre-university schools reflect a growing concern for the effective use of resources from the public budget on education in Moldova. Beyound the obvious demand to accelerate the reformation of the current system of public education, which implies an overwhelming agenda of decentralization, territorial relocation, rationalization, privatization and other policies that shall improve the current way of spending for compulsory education in Moldova, we aimed to provide specific policy recommendations how to improve the functioning of the system.

2015 - Annual Review of Labour Relations and Social Dialogue Romania

2015 - Annual Review of Labour Relations and Social Dialogue Romania

Author(s): Victoria Stoiciu / Language(s): English

Although the macroeconomic indicators point to a solid economic recovery in 2015, the social situation in Romania is not marked by considerable improvement. Despite the country’s high economic growth, the Government’s recent announcement of freezing the minimum wage in 2016 seems to have put an end to a five-year period of regular augmentation of the minimum wage. Inequality has increased while the unemployment rate and the percentage of people at risk of poverty declined insignificantly. // Albeit, some efforts have been made to improve social dialogue and labour legislation even though few actual changes have occurred in the area. The Social Dialogue law was amended in December 2015, bringing some changes to the Social Dialogue Act (62/2011) that en-larges trade union powers in the collective bargaining process. The draft law amending the Labour Code, which was the result of a legislative initiative carried on by the National Trade Union Block, one of the biggest Romanian umbrella organisations, is being debated in the Parliament.

Romania’s Trade Unions at the Crossroads. Challenged by Legislative Reforms, Economic Crises and a Power-loss of 60 per cent

Romania’s Trade Unions at the Crossroads. Challenged by Legislative Reforms, Economic Crises and a Power-loss of 60 per cent

Author(s): Victoria Stoiciu / Language(s): English

Keywords: Romanian Trade Unions;

The 2011 labour law reform considerably diminished employees’ freedom of association and restricted the right to form unions to an extent that the ILO has criticized as non-compliant with its standards. // Through legal reforms, the collective agreement coverage rate dropped by twothirds to only 35 per cent. The enterprise level is now the main level of collective bargaining, in effect crowding out representative trade union organisations. // The abolition of national collective bargaining in 2011 has effectively deprived union federations of their most important instrument of action, while new tripartite mechanisms for minimum-wage determination have so far been unable to fill the gap. // Chronic strategic shortcomings and a legitimacy crisis had contributed to the trade unions’ inability to influence labour legislation reforms in 2011. The impact of economic recession was less severe for trade union membership than the economic transition period that preceded it. // While changes to the 2011 reform package appear to be critical, that would not solve the trade unions’ structural problems, which need to be addressed from within.

System transformation and what happens next? Post-industrial heritage in Warsaw – an assessment attempt

SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? POST-INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE IN WARSAW – AN ASSESSMENT ATTEMPT

Author(s): Agnieszka Dudzińska-Jarmolińska,Magdalena Fuhrmann / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: post-industrial areas; revitalisation; Warsaw; Wola; Praga-North

Warsaw is a city where we are observing dynamic spatial transformation. It is particularly visible in the area formerly occupied by industry. This paper attempts to assess changes that have lately occurred in the so-called industrial districts of Warsaw, i.e. in Praga and Wola. It was revealed that those changes are driven by different assumptions and their objective is to include degenerated post-industrial areas in the city structure and to attribute new functions to them, which leads to changes in broader spatial structures. And so Wola is transforming into offi ce and residential centre, whereas Praga-North – into artistic space, space of creative industries and residential space. The implemented changes contribute to the blurring and disappearance of the former character of those districts as well as the unique and legally protected post-industrial heritage. It was also observed that the potential of those areas commences to be accessible only for a selected social group, characterised by higher capital.

National Security & Defence, № 030 (2002 - 06)

National Security & Defence, № 030 (2002 - 06)

Author(s): Vasyl Rohovyi,Roman Shpek,Petro Symonenko,Volodymyr Spivachuk,Yulia Tymoshenko,Vikror Yushchenko / Language(s): English

UKRAINE AND THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION // 1.THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT // 2. THE PROCESS OF UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO: ADVANCES AND PROBLEMS // 3. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO // 4. CONCLUSIONS AND PROPOSALS // POSITIONS OF POLITICIANS AND EXPERTS // UKRAINE ON THE ROAD TO THE WTO: THE PROBLEMS, GAINS AND PROSPECTS // UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO IN THE CONTEXT OF DEVELOPMENT OF ITS RELATIONS WITH THE EU // UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO: "PROS" AND "CONS" // UKRAINE AND THE WTO: PROBLEMS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE AN ACCESSION // UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO: WHAT IS NEEDED ARE POLITICAL WILL AND PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATION PROCESS // UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO: A STEP TOWARDS THE SOLUTION OF FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS // WE SUPPORT UKRAINE'S GOAL OF JOINING THE WTO // UKRAINIAN ACCESSION TO THE WTO: IMPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR

STUDENT PRACTICE IN MONTENEGRO - BETWEEN ASPIRATIONS AND REALITY - LESSONS LEARNED FROM PROJECT «ACTIVE STUDENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT»

STUDENT PRACTICE IN MONTENEGRO - BETWEEN ASPIRATIONS AND REALITY - LESSONS LEARNED FROM PROJECT «ACTIVE STUDENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT»

Author(s): Damir Nikočević,Andrea Lekić,Andrijana Radević,Anđela Nenadić,Bojan Vukojičić,Dušan Pejaković,Jelena Kontić,Marija Bulatović,Nina Đuranović,Rajko Vučetić,Vanja Đikanović / Language(s): English

Keywords: Higher education; students for sustainable development; Faculty of political sciences in Montenegro; finding a job;

Youth unemployment is one of the greatest problems which countries of region and Europe are facing. There are numerous reasons for such state. Incompatibility of educational system with needs of labour market results in saturation of certain professions, while highly specialised areas remain in deficit, are only some of those reasons. Global economic crisis, as well as the absence of adequate state intervention do not contribute to resolving the identified challenges.