COMMON DYNAMICS IN THE EU INTEGRATION PATH OF THE
WESTERN BALKANS
Jubjana VILA
Abstract: The European Union's
role in the region and in the world is changing rapidly due to
several internal dynamics and external crises and challenges.
EU's project of integration remains a role model for peace and
stability in the region and beyond. The EU Integration has
emerged as a shared key priority for the EU institutions and
Western Balkan countries that are in different trajectories of
the accession process due to several dynamics and developments
within the Western Balkan countries, regional dynamics, and
enlargement skepticism among EU member states. While a
comprehensive academic thinking exists about the EU's
enlargement policy at its approach to this region, this study
aims to understand the internal/regional dynamics in the EU
integration path of Western Balkan countries through an overview
of their history of integration as well as the EC Progress
Reports (2022) for each country. It combines theoretical and
empirical knowledge to offer a descriptive analysis of internal
and regional dynamics in the Western Balkans affecting their EU
integration paths.
Keywords:
EU integration, Western Balkans, member states,
Pages: 11-22 | Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-VIL |
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THE LOGIC OF EU NORMATIVE
POWER IN THE WESTERN BALKANS
Reina Zenelaj SHEHI, Ingrit MELANI
Abstract: This research focuses
on comprehending the political logic behind how the EU's
normative power is manifested in its engagements within the
region. It's evident that numerous studies emphasize the dual
role of EU conditionality in the membership criteria for Western
Balkan countries, illustrating both normative unity in foreign
policy and a complex interaction between interests and norm
adaptation. This highlights the intricate nature of the EU's
approach in the Western Balkans. The study is grounded in the
semi - realist perspective, which argues that democracy norm
promotion and peace building constitutes a relevant, but
secondary foreign policy aim. It aligns with scholars from
various viewpoints who suggest that EU democracy promotion is
more strategically motivated for enhancing national security
rather than strict ideational diffusion. Instead of a Kantian
cosmopolitan approach, the EU's normative power is seen
resembling Hobbesian normative homogenization. We argue that
striving for a normatively homogenous Europe through ideational
diffusion yields varied outcomes in different regions due to
distinct structural conditions and institutional practices
qualitative methodology, we delve into the achievements and
limits of EU normative power in the Western Balkans . The study
concludes that normative ideational diffusion rarely results in
uniform outcomes even within the region. Thus, during times of
crisis and ongoing multidimensional challenges, resilience as
norm diversity rather than normative homogenization offers more
effective political power implications.
Keywords:
European Union, normative power, regionalism, Western Balkan,
Pages: 23-41 | Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-SHE |
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BEYOND THE BALLOT BOX:
THE MEANING AND SUBSTANCE OF DEMOCRACY
Alban RELI
Abstract: This paper seeks to
make a theoretical contribution to the concept of democracy. The
conceptualization of democracy is a widely linked with periodic
elections that allow citizens to choose their leaders. However,
this paper argues that democracy is more than just a matter of
holding elections every few years. This narrow definition
overlooks the substance and meaning of democracy, which
encompasses a broad range of values and principles beyond the
mere act of voting. In particular, the paper highlights three
key dimensions of democracy that are critical for its
meaningfulness: (1) participation and empowerment, (2)
transparency and accountability, and (3) deliberation and
collaboration. Through a review of existing literature, the
paper demonstrates that these dimensions are interrelated and
mutually reinforcing, and contribute to a more robust and
sustainable democracy. The paper concludes by arguing that while
elections are an important component of democracy, they are not
an end in themselves, but rather one of the many tools that can
help facilitate and reinforce a meaningful democracy.
Keywords:
substantive democracy, procedural democracy, elections,
participation, deliberation,
Pages: 43-54 |
Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-REL |
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HOW CAN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF E-GOVERNMENT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION INCREASE? BUILDING AN
EXPLANATORY STATISTICAL MODEL
Ionuţ-Andrei PRICOP,
Beniamin Petru RUSANU
Abstract: The main premise from
which we start in the construction of this article is that, in
the contemporary era, the need for digitalization and
facilitating access to public services has become an imperative
in the vast majority of liberal-democratic states.
Digitalization is an inevitable process in the natural course of
the contemporary age, considering that its benefits have been
more than tangible in the vast majority of cases, and
e-Government is precisely a concretization of the benefits of
digitalization. However, the development of e-Government is not
a simple process, as it requires the presence of several
factors, which this article will present, analysing their
relevance. Moreover, in this article we will also note the main
structural differences at European level in the implementation
of e-Government: which countries have reached an advanced level
of e-Government development, which countries have serious
problems in developing e-Government and, above all, why these
differences exist.
Keywords:
e-Government, digitalization, European Union, corruption,
education,
Pages: 55-75 |
Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-PRI |
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ACCELERATING GREEN TRANSITION IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE -
OVERVIEW OF SOME EU-11 GREEN SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
Boglarka VAJDA,
Gabriela DRĂGAN
Abstract: This study examines the
state of research on green transition, with a focus on circular
economy, and bioeconomy, across eight Central and Eastern
European countries (EU-11): the four Visegrad countries plus
Slovenia (who joined EU in 2004), and the later entrants
Romania, Bulgaria (2007), and Croatia (2013). A systematic
review of peer-reviewed articles (2015-2023), along with
official documents, forms the basis of analysis. The paper
identifies the status of green and circular transition research
in EU-11, highlighting key policy interests, including the need
for coordinated strategies, cooperation, stakeholder engagement.
The study also evaluates the influence of EU accession timing on
green transition dynamics and underscores the importance of
national efforts in shaping these strategic visions. While
circular economy strategies are in place for most countries,
dedicated bioeconomy strategies are still lacking, with Visegrad
countries and Croatia currently under development.
Keywords:
circular economy, bioeconomy, green economy, Central and Eastern
Europe,
77-106 |
Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-VAJ |
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THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT: FACTORS THAT CAN LEAD
TO THE EMERGENCE OF IMBALANCES
Cristina Ionela BULAT, Mihaela MIRON
Abstract: Education is an
important tool for the transfer of knowledge, relationships,
social experiences, and technology from generation to generation
that determines the perspective in which nations will exist in
the near future. This article aims to identify the factors that
can lead to the emergence of imbalances in the educational
environment in Romania. In the past 12 years, the educational
environment went through changes that had an impact on the
entire system. The highest impact of changes had a direct effect
on the educational institutions that had to keep up and identify
new appropriate ways to ensure the institutions success, through
the fulfillment of objectives and compliance with the assumed
mission. The change process is determined by numerous factors
such as: the evolution of science and technologies, adaptability
to professional requirements, constantly changing social,
economic, informational requirements, changes in the demographic
structure, the multiplication of professions, the
democratization of life, and fierce competition. Analysing the
literature and the reality of the educational system we have
identified the following factors: changes in the leadership of
the educational ministry, legislative changes, lack of funding,
the curriculum is not adapted to current needs, human resources,
and COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: educational environment,
Ministry of education, legislation, educational funding,
curriculum, human resources, COVID-19
Pages: 109-127 | Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-BUL |
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TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
THE YOUNG HUMAN FACTOR IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION
OF THE WORKFORCE
Marina POPA, Olivia PLĂMĂDEALĂ
Abstract: International migration
of the workforce has become a global challenge and is constantly
in the spotlight of the world community. Since ancient times,
humanity has been on the move. Some people move in search of
jobs or economic opportunities, others to join family or to
study. Others migrate in response to the negative effects of
climate change, natural disasters or environmental factors.
Among migration phenomena, an essential role is held by the
migration of the young human factor. Today, it is estimated that
the number of young people, i.e. people aged between 15 and 24,
is around 1.3 billion and account for 15.5 per cent of the
global population. (UN, 2020). Migration in general, and that of
young people in particular, is one of the current challenges for
the developing countries, including the Republic of Moldova. The
increasing migration of young people concerns the authorities
and civil society, given its effects on the country's human
potential and socio-economic development. In this article we aim
to study the current trends of the migration process, in
particular to address the motivation of young people in Moldova
to migrate in order to study abroad.
Keywords: migration patterns, youth
mobility, migratory corridors, young people and artificial
intelligence,
Pages: 128-143 |
Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-POP |
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MODERN SLAVERY AND THE EUROPEAN
LABOUR MARKET DYNAMICS
Oana-Maria COZMA
Abstract: Many people think of
slavery as a matter of the past with little relevance to today's
world. But nonetheless, this institution continues to constitute
a thriving research field for sociologists, historians, and
economists. The present paper examines the issue of modern
slavery as related to forced labour and labour exploitation,
analyses the labour legislation of the European Union, and
gathers several cases of forced labour/ labour exploitation
involving Romanian workers. The purpose of the present paper is
achieved using content analysis, a qualitative research method.
The results suggested that, despite the European Union's
extensive labour regulations, it still encounters situations of
forced labour/ labour exploitation where basic worker rights and
protection are not upheld; the findings highlight the need for
greater consideration, further research, and solutions for this
issue, together with special concern towards the clear
distinctions between forced labour and labour exploitation.
Keywords: modern slavery, forced
labour, labour exploitation, European Union labour market,
European Union labour legislation,
Pages:
144-161 | Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-COZ |
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RISK FACTORS FOR A RESILIENT
ECONOMIC GROWTH POST COVID-19
Gabriela PRELIPCEAN, Diana Georgiana
PIŢU
Abstract: Economic growth, as
many other economic phenomenon, has been deeply affected by
COVID-19, several effects being still unknown or poor
scientifically researched due to the complexity of the
epidemiological situation. Resilience, defined as the ability to
deal with adversity, withstand shocks and continuously adapt and
accelerate as disruptions and crises arise, has become a new
fundamental dimension of the current world economy, implicitly
for economic growth, and it is threatened by a series of risk
factors. Our analytical study projects these factors from the
scientific researcher perspective and establishes five
directions of investigation. Our purpose is to bring to the
forefront the main risks that affect a resilient economic growth
and to identify how resilience impacts annual GDP growth. To
reach the goals of this research, we opted for a qualitative
method using a general-to-private approach. Among the main risk
factors identified are inflation, labour market, energy price,
investment decisions, external demand.
Keywords: resilience, risk, economic
growth, inflation, GDP,
Pages: 163-179
| Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-PRE |
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ENHANCING EU'S RESILIENCE
AGAINST TERRORISM: A LEGAL APPROACH
Raluca-Andreea ȘOLEA
Abstract: The growth in amplitude
and frequency of the terrorist phenomenon at both the European
and international levels, in the past years, makes terrorism one
of the most significant challenges for European Union's
security. Given EU's international ambitions of a significant
actor in the field of security (European External Action
Service, 2016), this paper approaches EU's responses to
terrorism, from a legal point of view. Arguing in favour of the
legal instruments as the most appropriate tools to counter the
terrorist phenomenon, the aim of this research is to analyse if
and how Europe can become more resilient against the terrorist
threat, by resorting to legal means. Specifically, the paper
seeks to explore how the regulation of the crime of terrorism in
international law might foster the resilience of the EU in an
increasingly challenging international context. Addressing the
issue of terrorism is of high importance taking into
consideration the current international context, when Europe is
facing again a war and the terrorist offences have significantly
increased along with the conflict in Ukraine that started in
February 2022 (Institute for Economics & Peace, 2022).
Keywords: international criminal law,
crime of terrorism, legal means, EU's security,
counter-terrorism,
Pages: 181-199
| Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-SOL |
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EUROPEAN'S YOUTH RESILIENCE:
FROM UNIVERSITY TO THE LABOR MARKET
Miruna PATRICHE
Abstract: 2022 was declared the
European year of Youth and in this context, the role of
universities as disseminators of knowledge and creators of the
future workforce is very important. This paper seeks to address
several questions regarding the correlation between R&D, the
existence of qualified work force, the innovation degree, and
the adaptability of universities to labour market requirements.
While underlying the role of human capital in ensuring regional
development, the significance of research and innovation in
stimulating the resilience of universities is also emphasized,
giving an overview on the Romanian case. In the article, some
comparisons between Romania and the rest of the EU member
states, related to young generation, are described.
Keywords: European youth,
universities, innovation, development, resilience
Pages:
201-215
| Full text (PDF)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/eurint-2023-PAT |
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