Transatlantic Relations under Stress: European and American Attitudes towards Intervention and Prevention
Fulvio Attina
Abstract:
In this article, attention is called on the American attempt to change the international rules of intervention, and the impact this choice has on transatlantic relations. Hegemonic theory of world politics is the theoretical framework of the analysis. At the same time, the evolutionary world politics model is adopted to understand change in world politics. In the first section of the article, a set of concepts for the analysis of the structure of government of the world political system is presented. The second section is about the current phase of hegemonic politics and the state of transatlantic relations. The third section analyzes the issue of external military intervention to change domestic regimes and President Bush’s prevention doctrine. In the last section of the article, the attitudes and policies of the European Union and American governments on prevention are examined and confronted.
Keywords: 9/11, European Union, George W. Bush, transatlantic relations, USA
Poland and Transatlantic Security – an Enduring Atlanticist?
Kerry Longhurst
Abstract:
Throughout the 1990’s Poland pursued a security policy steered by Atlanticism and a close bond with the United States. Atlanticism shaped Warsaw’s choices on all key security issues during the past decade, but became particularly apparent after 9/11 when Poland lent its full support to the US-led war on terror. Whilst membership in the EU will affect the priorities and conduct of Polish security policy, it is argued here that the deep-seated nature of Atlanticism in Polish strategic culture , together with the broader implications of enlargement upon the EU’s foreign policy ambitions will ensure that Poland will remain a keen Atlanticist in the New Europe.
Keywords: atlanticism, Poland, United States
Current Issues of Research, Development and Innovation in Romania
Andreea Vass, Steliana Sandu
Abstract:
The research, development and innovation system (RDI) represents a key segment of activity, both in theory and in international practice, as an engine of social and economic progress. For Romania, the transition period has represented a major transformation step in a structural, institutional and functional perspective in association with networking with other components, so that the present configuration of the R&D system in Romania differs substantially from that of the early 1990s.
Keywords: development, European Union, innovation, research, Romania, transition
The European Union, the Enlargement and the South-Eastern Europe
Malkidis Theofanis
Abstract:
Ιn 1989, the countries of South-eastern Europe and central Europe promoted their integration of military, political and economic collaboration and developed narrow relations with the European Union (Ε.U). Thus resulted the new enlargement of EU, in order to transfer in south-eastern Europe the places of EU, for peace, stability, growth.
The new enlargement constitutes a big challenge, after the integrations of states in the EU in 1973, in 1981, in 1986, in 1995 they did not have the extent and the expectations 2004 and particularly the South-eastern Europe afterwards 2007.
The article analyzes the course of integration of South-eastern Europe in the EU and analyzes the essential changes that are required, the transition in the free market economy, the creation of political system that will be based on the state of right and the respect the human and minorities’ rights, the political plurality and the multi-party system with democratic elections.
The article supports that the enlargement in the South-eastern Europe is very important for the EU, enlargement that closes the Cold War, a hope for the common European region of peace, cooperation, democracy and development.
Keywords: enlargement, European Union, South-Eastern Europe
The New Regionalism in Latin America: is there a Case for an Emergent Paradigm of Integration?
German A. de la Reza
Abstract:
This article studies the characteristics of the new Latin American regionalism from four angles: the conceptual fundamentals; the criteria of association (the country that benefits most in economic terms from integration); compatibility with the WTO, and the comparative relationship with the European model. To facilitate the explanation of its particularities, this study considers the contrast with the ‘old’ regionalism of the 1960s and 1970s, broadly inspired by the European experience. The objective is not to demonstrate causations, neither to establish absolute relationships; it is to identify and to analyze the meanings of this strategy as an emerging paradigm of integration.
Keywords: customs union, free trade area, Latin America, regionalism
Book Review – Philip McCann (Editor), Industrial Location Economics
Daniela L. Constantin
Abstract:
The book Industrial Location Economics published by Edward Elgar Publishing Limited is a highly relevant example in this respect. The Editor, Professor Philip McCann from the University of Reading, UK, a brilliant representative of the new generation of regional scientists, has succeeded in attracting around this subject internationally renowned scholars belonging to top universities form Austria, the Netherlands, UK, Italy, Canada, USA and Japan. They address a variety of topics concentrating on the spatial behaviour of individual firms and the growth and generation of industrial clusters and cities, offering an original, comparison and contrast-based combination of classical and more recent approaches to location analysis.
A wide range of analytical techniques is employed – some of them being the authors’ contribution to enriching the investigation methodology of industrial location, that has made it possible to address the same issues from exciting, original perspectives. The excellent combination between theoretical knowledge and empirical testing, between traditional and modern approaches to industrial location economics as well as the clarity of the ideas expressed recommend this worthwhile book to both academics and students in geography, economics, management as well as to experts in institutions involved in regional and urban planning.
Keywords: cluster, geography, industrial location, industrial policy, region