Италия и албанският въпрос: щрихи от българските дипломатически документи (1900-1912)

Author(s): Iliana Ilieva / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

In this article the author shows the political interests that the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italia had for territories of the Balkans. Russia also is implicated in to this political picture. The Imperial diplomacy kept working in order to keep the status of the liberated christian countries and their strengthening and as well to limit the intentions of the Balkan countries towards the European territories of Turkey. And although Russia pretended to had the leading role on the Balkans, Italy and Austria-Hungary were the countries with most active politic penetration in Albania.

A European Democracy: Why and How?

Author(s): Phillipe C. Schmitter / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

While democracy in Europe took a very long time to emerge and consolidate itself, the democratization of Europe has only just begun and remains a rather remote prospect. The competing national states that composed this part of the world were originally autocratic – with the historical exception of Switzerland, which somehow continuously managed to practice its peculiar form of democracy. Indeed, Western Europe became uniformly democratic only in the mid-1970s with the regime changes in Portugal, Spain, and Greece. And parts of the former Soviet Union have still to institutionalize the accountability of its rulers by way of competitive processes of representation.

Socio-Cultural Aspects of Transition

Author(s): Pero Maldini / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Establishment of democratic regimes in former authoritarian societies has emphasized the importance and vitality of democracy and marked large social, political and cultural changes. But, in spite of institutional and normative constitution of democracy and its general acceptability in almost all transitional societies, there are obvious and great differences in the attained democratic range within various postcommunist societies. Instead of transformation process and democratic consolidation in many transition societies, one can often find undemocratic political practice with certain retrograde processes, contrary to democratic transformation of society. Such experiences indicate that transition is not unambiguous and predictable process of social development which necessarily leads towards democratic regime, and also that normative-institutional democratic constitution is not sufficient to make a political regime democratic.

Liberalistic globalization in transition countries leads to anti-globalization

Author(s): Dragomir Sundać / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The process of globalization is a lawful and objective process which no national economy can avoid, no matter how much it wants that or not. Thus, it is not necessary to avoid it. The main question that transition countries were trying to find an answer to at the beginning of the 20th century was, how to successfully enter the processes of globalization, that is, how to manage transition from non-market system to a market system.

Project Financing in Developing Countries, New Corporate Social Responsibility, and Multinationals

Author(s): Tom Sorell / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Economic development requires substantial investment in industry and infrastructure. Mines, power plants, pipelines, roads, telecommunications networks - all of these are expensive to build and operate, and governments of impoverished states regularly look to outsiders to provide funding. The outsiders can include the international financial institutions and foreign governments, as well as private companies from the developed world. These agents have different interests and run different risks in financing or operating infrastructure. To reduce or minimise the economic risks in particular, private companies often make use of project finance.

Globalization and its Influence on Democratic Development of Post-Communist Societies

Author(s): Pero Maldini / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Globalization is a broad concept and a complex social phenomenon which is very difficult to determine precisely. However, it might be said that it is primarily a process of economic, and then of a general connectivity of various societies and states, by which, historically, a new type of their multifold mutual interconnections and interferences is established. Although it is originally an economic concept (global economy, world market, economic integrations, international relations, etc), globalization should be understood primarily as a direct or indirect influence (not only economic, but also cultural, political and social) of the most powerful world societies on all of the others. Therefore, globalization implies the spreading and interpolation of the same or similar social structures, forms, values and norms into other social areas. That also implies mutual influence and mixture of elements of different cultures. That influence and mixture don’t go one way, (although there is dominance of the developed societies over undeveloped ones).

Az „arab tavasz” és az „új arabizmus”

Author(s): Zsolt Rostoványi / Language(s): Hungarian Publication Year: 0

Líbia története az olasz gyarmati korszakban, 1911–1947

Author(s): Jenő Horváth / Language(s): Hungarian Publication Year: 0

Rok rozvoja, rok nevyužitých príležitostí

Author(s): Peter Brezáni / Language(s): Slovak Publication Year: 0

Uplynulých 12 rozvojových mesiacov sa nieslo v znamení veľkej svetovej rozvojovej reformy. Napĺňanie miléniových rozvojových cieľov za obdobie posledných 15 rokov bolo oficiálne uzavreté na septembrovom globálnom rozvojovom samite v New Yorku ako jedno z najúspešnejších ťažení proti chudobe v histórii a na ich základoch boli oficiálne predstavené ešte širšie ciele trvalo udržateľného rozvoja do roku 2030. Ich zámerom je odstrániť príčiny chudoby a hladu a vytvoriť dôstojné podmienky pre život pre všetkých. To znamená, že sa sústredí aj na agendu bezpečnosti, budovanie demokratických inštitúcií, dobrého vládnutia či ľudských práv. Na celú agendu sa treba dívať ako na komplexný celok s rovnakým akcentom na všetky tri dimenzie udržateľ- ného rozvoja, t. j. hospodársku, sociálnu a environmentálnu.

Zahraničná politika Slovenska v roku 2012

Author(s): Miroslav Lajčák / Language(s): Slovak Publication Year: 0

Kontinuita, ktorá je pre vonkajšie vzťahy Slovenskej republiky už dlhodobo charakteristická, sa potvrdila aj v roku 2012. Súčasne nová vláda Slovenskej republiky, ktorá bola sformovaná na základe výsledkov predčasných marcových parlamentných volieb, vniesla do tejto oblasti nový impulz. Pochopiteľne, pri konkretizácii akcentov a priorít došlo po vytvorení novej vlády k určitému posunu tak v európskej, ako aj medzinárodnej agende. Na realizáciu zahraničnej politiky si nová vláda stanovila nasledujúce priority: • dôveryhodné a rešpektované Slovensko v Európe; • stabilný a spoľahlivý partner v NATO – garantovi bezpečnosti Slovenska; • rozvoj dvojstranných vzťahov so štátmi EÚ a NATO, osobitne usporiadané a rovnocenné vzťahy so susedmi; • podpora rozširovania priestoru stability, demokracie a partnerstva s dôrazom na štáty západného Balkánu a východného partnerstva; • podpora ekonomických záujmov, investícií a inovácií a energetická bezpečnosť; • zodpovedný prístup ku globálnym výzvam s využitím potenciálu medzinárodných organizácií; • pomoc občanom Slovenskej republiky v zahraničí a ich ochrana; • rešpektovanie a posilňovanie záväznosti práva v medzinárodnom prostredí a inštitúciách, presadzovanie ich vymožiteľnosti ako kľúčového nástroja ochrany suverenity štátu.

Slovensko a západný Balkán. Rok 2008 – predtým i potom

Author(s): Július Lőrincz / Language(s): Slovak Publication Year: 0

It is hard to categorize Slovak foreign policy towards the Western Balkans and the issues related to the development of this region in South East Europe, in terms of a specific time or space, defined by a date or border. In this portrayal of Slovak activities in 2008, the following text will focus on three sets of issues which transcend these limits – economic cooperation, development assistance, and the status of Kosovo. Why focus particularly on these issues? Through its active foreign policy and diplomatic activities, the Slovak Republic has gained authority and a trustworthy position in the Western Balkans. This is evidenced by the three exceptional tasks entrusted, in recent years, to Slovak diplomats operating at a multilateral level as responsible representatives of the international community. At the same time, Slovakia has developed good mutual political relations with all the successor states of former Yugoslavia. However, in the long term, this has not been reflected in economic and trade relations, which lag behind the political sphere, nor in our economic and trade positions, compared to those of our neighboring or partner countries.

Zahraničná politika SR voči západnému Balkánu v roku 2006

Author(s): Milan Šagát / Language(s): Slovak Publication Year: 0

The foreign policy of the Slovak Republic (SR) towards the Western Balkans in 2006 did not differ in its orientation from the previous year. Not even early parliamentary elections in June 2006 caused a drift in the direction of foreign policy towards the Western Balkans and the region, despite certain vagueness in the document Aims of foreign policy of the SR in 2006, remained one of the strategic priorities of foreign policy and Slovak development assistance. On the other hand, the year 2006 was a special period for foreign policy towards the region and Slovak diplomacy achieved a number of successes, the process of a declaration of independence by Montenegro,directed and controlled by Slovak diplomats, being the most significant of them.

Slovenská politika voči západnému Balkánu

Author(s): Eliška Sláviková / Language(s): Slovak Publication Year: 0

Taking a closer look at Slovakia’s activities in the region of the Western Balkans in 2005, one must admit that the Slovak Republic attempted to fulfill its aim to influence the whole region more consistently. It also activated its leverage in those countries of the region where it had been more or less absent until quite recently. Although the paper reflects changes that occurred recently in relations to Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Macedonia and Albania, the Slovak attention remains focused on Serbia and Montenegro and, partly, on Croatia. Aware of the motivation potential of the European Union, the SR became one of the loudest and most persistent advocates of the integration of the Western Balkans countries into the EU and of enforcing particular mechanisms for materialization of such an event. Despite this fact, there are only very few visible initiatives developed at the bilateral level which would more significantly contribute to democratization and transformation of the region (except for Serbia and Montenegro and, eventually, Croatia). The recommendations offered at the end of the article are based on the belief that Slovakia definitely possesses the internal capacity and, at the same time, the duty, given its historical experience, to influence positive processes in all countries of this region. The EU initiatives as well as a great variety of initiatives in the countries of the Western Balkans also leave space for Slovak performance. A precondition for successful fulfilling of our foreign political commitments in the region still remains to be better knowledge of the internal situation and processes in each of the countries in the region as well as the existence of aimed strategies for individual societies based on this knowledge about the internal situation and processes with the common denominator of eventual integration of all Western Balkan countries into the EU.

WAR REFUGEES – A FORM OF FORCED MIGRATION

Author(s): Florin Laurentiu Giusca,Tomita Zavoianu / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Refugee movements have regional dimensions, causing the international community to coordinate their diplomatic-political efforts to ensure their protection and to find permanent solutions to their physical security and food security problems.From a legal point of view, refugees are people in danger who are trying to take advantage of their right to asylum in other countries. In this situation, criticism of the use of travel, escape from dangers, is the value of a saving solution, and the freedom of movement is of major importance in the European space. Refugee protection has been a topic of great interest to the international community after the United Nations.The impact of the Syrian crisis on the asylum system of many European countries, the fear of an increase in EU migration and the recurrence of nationalist and extremist movements in Europe make migration a recurring theme in European Union policy. The Syrian refugee crisis has created major problems in the region.

WAR REFUGEES – VICTIMS IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN SECURITY AND FOOD SAFETY DURING REGIONAL ARMED CONFLICT

Author(s): Florin Laurentiu Giusca,Tomita Zavoianu / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Waves of war refugees, large population movements and famine on a regional level are humanitarian crises generated by social insecurity or abusive behavior of public institutions. Social inequalities are serious political phenomena, social dramas often associated with diminishing food supplies and affecting economic exchange systems.Modern armed conflicts are characterized by new forms of violence and have some specific features such as the elements of internationalization present in internal conflicts, in the circumstances of increasing the role of non-state actors in solving management situations of public health and food security. The dangers and threats to international security for human security are manifested in complex, diverse and atypical forms of gravity, making it difficult to prevent and eliminate regional conflicts. Majorities of civil wars that have panicked the international community over the years have erupted countries located at the periphery of production centers and regional economic exchanges.

STRATEGIES AND CAPABILITIES USED FOR SHAPING OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Author(s): Silviu-Stelian Borsa,Visarion Neagoe / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The complexity of today's operational environment entails a series of activities and actions aimed to prepare it before acting or introducing forces in order to conduct military actions. These activities / actions are designed to shape the operational environment, in such a way that, the success of the forces operating in that area would be largely assured. Shaping the operational environment is a detailed process, from political strategic to tactical level that involves detailed planning and precise execution over a variable period of time from years to hours or minutes. The means, capabilities, or „tools”through which this is accomplished, is what we intend to detail in this paper.

AL-QAEDA – A MILLENARY ORGANIZATION

Author(s): Alexandru STOICA / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The terrorist organizations as the Islamic state, Al-Qaeda and theiraffiliated groups are the protagonists of the deepest current crises, which complicates theprocess of halting them. The Al-Qaeda network with all its branches in various geographicalareas exploits conflicting outbreaks, the critical situation in some states, and geopoliticaldisturbances in the Middle East, continuing to pose a constantly evolving threat.Challenged by an aggressive international campaign, the threat from Al-Qaedapersists, contrary to opinions expressed in public space. In the present study, based on datamade public by competent structures, I have tried to outline some possible perspectives of Al-Qaeda evolution built around the same analytical starting points to help better understand them. The central hypothesis would be that the network will evolve depending on the external environment and its nature. In the course of the study, this hypothesis focuses on three points of interest: the external environment of Al-Qaeda, the characteristics and nature of the network.

A CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH TO STRATEGIC CULTURES OF CHINA AND INDIA TOWARDS SOUTH ASIA: ORIGINS, MANIFESTATIONS, AND IMPACT ON REGIONAL SECURITY

Author(s): Shakaib RAFIQUE / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The notion of strategic culture has gained pivotal significance in terms of foreignpolicy behaviors of Nation States today. This concept, coined by Jack Snyder, stands at the coreof comprehending the nature of inter-state relations and therefore serves as the crux of theforeign policy behaviors of modern Nation States. The notion of strategic culture hasconstructivist roots on one side, while on the other side it serves a blow to the ‘rational choicetheory’ as well. This paper is essentially aimed at employing the constructivist approach forunderstanding the constitutive elements of the strategic cultures of China and India towardsSouth Asia. This paper establishes that the roots of the strategic cultures of China and Indiatowards South Asia are essentially premised on their peculiar historical experiences,ideologies, notions and beliefs of their leadership towards the region. Furthermore, thestrategic cultures of both these countries are also guided by the “We” vs. “Others” notionsthat form the central core of a constructivist paradigm. The paper then argues that it is owingto the above characteristics that the strategic cultures of China and India differ so much fromeach other.

ETHICAL-MORAL PRINCIPLES CURRENTLY USED IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Author(s): Daniel Cocolici / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The current international system bases its moral fundamentals on principles developed along the centuries with major contribution from theorists associated to the Western and Christian culture.The Just war theory, a term that encompasses generally agreed moral and ethic principles on how to declare, conduct and conclude a war, is a collective effort of theorists who contributed decisively to the blueprints of the UN Charter and are strongly reflected in the Geneva Conventions provisions. Both documents are fundamental in regulating the way the relationship between states are currently shaped.This status quo allows advanced democratic states to engage, either using the framework provided by the military alliances, the already established security organizations or the ad-hoc coalitions, throughout the full spectrum of military operations in support of peace, subject to moral justification of their military action.However, recent transformation on the nature of war, technological developments and the emergence of new non-state actors on the international stage are challenging the existing paradigm.

Albanien in der europäischen Geschichte

Author(s): Oliver Jens Schmitt / Language(s): German Publication Year: 0

Heute genau vor einhundert Jahren stand Europa am Rande eines Flächenbrandes. Die Balkanverbündeten Griechenland, Bulgarien, Serbien und Montenegro hatten in wenigen Wochen die osmanische Herrschaft auf dem Balkan zertrümmert; nur wenige Festungen, Shkodra und Ioannina im Westen, die befestigte Frontline vor Istanbul hielten den Heeren der balkanchristlichen Staaten noch stand. Zusammengebrochen war nicht nur die osmanische Armee, sondern auch jene albanischen Freischarenverbände, die auf eigene Faust kämpften, um nicht in den osmanischen Reihen zu dienen, gegen die sie in den Jahren zuvor als Rebellen gestanden hatten. Muslimische Flüchtlingswellen wälzten sich durch den Balkan nach Süden, die imperiale Ordnung eines halben Jahrtausends löste sich auf.