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IS IT POSSIBLE TO PREVENT IMMINENT TERROR ATTACKS? THE U.S. INTERVENTION CASE AGAINST KHORASAN TERROR GROUP

IS IT POSSIBLE TO PREVENT IMMINENT TERROR ATTACKS? THE U.S. INTERVENTION CASE AGAINST KHORASAN TERROR GROUP

Author(s): Luiza Maria Filimon / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: terrorism; imminence; terror group Khorasan; critical discourse analysis; foreign military intervention; internationalized civil war; ISIL; Syria

The present paper aims to analyze the context that led to the start of the American intervention in Syria, in September 2014. As a result of Iraqi forces being unable to face the armed offensive of the Islamic State (ISIL) organization coming from the civil war devastated Syria and taking into account the potential risk of a collapse of the Iraqi state, the United States and its partner nations in the region (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar) launched airstrikes against ISIL positions on 22 September 2014. In the weeks prior to the intervention, sources in the American government revealed that an even more dangerous terrorist actor was present in Syria, namely the Khorasan Group, which was allegedly plotting a series of imminent attacks against the territory of the United States. This article applies critical discourse analysis to a series of official and media positions in order to highlight that the imminence requirements posed by terror threats are met, even when the available data is inaccurate or outright missing.

The Leasing Contract. Harmonizing National Legislation with the Lease Specific International Norms

The Leasing Contract. Harmonizing National Legislation with the Lease Specific International Norms

Author(s): Gheorghe Dinu,Raluca Antoanetta Tomescu / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: leasing; contract; convention; financier; user

By elaborating the proposed work, we want to bring theoretical contributions and enter a scientific domain which may not be at the beginning of its course to Romanian society, but which we consider to be able to handle improvements under doctrinaire and practical aspects. Objectively, we intend to reinforce the“statute” of leasing operations on a national level, operations which are still searching for their own identity,lacking any “legacy” gained from experience or historical post-December accumulations, and what has been gained has been assumed in a rush, under the influence of the Romanian society’s processes of democratization and European integration and are mechanical accumulations/teachings which resulted from the enforcement and necessity of complying with certain treaties and agreements which have not been sufficiently analyzed. Because they were taken in fractions, a series of norms resulted, lacking the consistency and sufficiency needed to improve education in the leasing domain, which has often led to contractual imbalances and a considerable decrease of the leasing market in Romania.

E-Governments in European Union and Countries of the Southeastern Europe

E - uprave u Evropskoj Uniji i zemljama u regionu Jugoistočne Evrope

Author(s): Dragan Prlja / Language(s): Serbian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: E-government; Southeastern Europe; Legal system; Harmonization

European Union gives extraordinary importance to developing preconditions for e-government, in its strategic documents. Great number of ongoing programmes, or ones planned in near future, encompass promotion of e-government. Reform of national legal systems and existence of clear national strategies and action plans of egovernment, as well as harmonization of legal acts in this area, are necessary prerequisites for achieving e-government at the EU level. SEE countries also give great attention to development of e-government and harmonization of their legal acts in this area with ones of European Union. Harmonization between regulation of SEE countries and EU has been achieved in great degree, but implementation of legal solutions is not being accomplished on same pace in all of SEE countries. It is necessary that those existing differences should be overcome. All strategic documents of SEE countries contain plans for harmonization of all aspects of legislation and implementation for the rules concerning electronic government, so it is expected that even better results will be accomplished in near future.

Regional and Ethnic Minority Political Movements in Europe

Regional and Ethnic Minority Political Movements in Europe

Author(s): Balázs Vizi / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

SMART CITY – NEW CONCEPT IN CIVIL-MILITARY PLANNING

SMART CITY – NEW CONCEPT IN CIVIL-MILITARY PLANNING

Author(s): Sorina-Georgiana Rusu / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: smart city; offensive city; civil-military planning; urban security; resilience;

Within history, armed clashes have dramatically affected the urban localities,where there were strategic objectives, but also a significant population. Nowadays, the city hasbecome a target by attacks which destroy the urban area and irreversibly affect the population.City’s resistance is in great difficulty, involving within defensive actions not only its own community,but also the international organizations whose mission is to maintain peace.In present days, the “smart city” term generates ample debates and polemics. The defense of intelligent cities should be positioned into an offensive area, based on the configuration of this new type of city.Defense actions in the smart city have to respect the particularities of the battle within urban terrain, analyzing the dimensions of the kinetic territory and taking into consideration the intensity of the aerial actions, targeting not only the actual attack, but also collecting data with drones. In this context, synergy is the essential condition for success in the civil-military planning process of a smart city.

SOCIAL MEDIA IN OPERATIONS – A COUNTER-TERRORISM PERSPECTIVE

SOCIAL MEDIA IN OPERATIONS – A COUNTER-TERRORISM PERSPECTIVE

Author(s): Berfin Kandemir,Alexander Brand,Ben Heap / Language(s): English

Keywords: NATO; StartCom; media; information; communication; social media; security and defense; terrorism; counter-terrorism; psychology;

Social media has assumed a fundamental role in today’s society. As a technology with a high level of reach, billions of people are connected daily through global platforms, where they share personal experiences, documents and visual content. Social media has become one of the main channels through which people connect and communicate. NATO, as an organisation of 29 member states with different historical and cultural backgrounds, has made great efforts to develop its social media capabilities. NATO and its key decision makers are present in nearly all major social media networks and have gathered thousands of fans and followers. The current #wearenato campaign conveys the message that every day NATO allies work and train together to keep their citizens safe and that NATO, through partnership and cooperation, has secured peace and freedom for nearly 70 years. Most of NATO’s current social media efforts are focused on this ‘message delivery role’, aiming to raise awareness about NATO as a brand and to resonate with key opinion formers within a younger audience. Since September 2014, when NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (StratCom COE) was established in Riga, Latvia, substantive progress in the study and understanding of social media has been made. The StratCom COE has published a number of research papers exploring current trends in social media and leading discussions on future strategy and related concepts, including the delivery of courses in social media analysis. NATO is involved with two major strands of work, both of which explore more flexible approaches of analysing and engaging with social media. First, the ‘Digital and Social Media Playbook’ currently under development by NATO’s Science and Technology Organisation (STO) will constitute an up-to-date information environment assessment tool. Second, through the Multinational Capability Development Campaign (MCDC), NATO has supported the development of two social media-related concepts to be used specifically in operations. Although there are a number of academic publications that cover the use of social media for military purposes or provide recommendations on how social media can support military actions on the ground, few previous projects have focused on the exploitation of social media in the context of Counter-Terrorism (CT). This is understandable, as according to NATO’s CT policy and concept, terrorism is dealt with at the national level by law enforcement agencies under state control and supervision. In most cases NATO would support Member States at their request, or as part of an operation in an environment in which law enforcement forces of the nation state are overstretched or non-existent. Apart from a collective defence scenario, this is unlikely to happen within the territories of the Member States and has more relevance for non-aligned nations. As part of ongoing efforts to further develop the CT perspective on social media, the NATO Centre of Excellence-Defence against Terrorism (COE-DAT) and the NATO StratCom COE conducted a workshop on ‘The exploitation of social media on operations’ in September 2017. The views were collected of over 20 social media experts and analysts, as well as NATO CT experts. The aim of the workshop was to develop the overall approach of the military’s use of social media to deliver effects in CT scenarios. As such, the workshop can also be seen as part of both centres’ contribution to strengthening of NATO’s fight against terrorism. This report provides a summary of those discussions. A brief outline of the panel’s main presentations is provided as well as a summary of the following questions discussed during the Q&A. „ Can hard-line terrorist groups with extremist narratives be effectively countered with messaging or would it be better to focus on those individuals and groups on the brink of radicalisation and joining a terrorist group? „ Assuming that former terrorists enjoy high credibility within the target audience (with reference to “Breaking the ISIS Brand” by Anne Speckhardt), how could or should they be integrated within military operations? What would such operations look like? „ Can offensive Cyberspace and Information Operations extend the role of the military within Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) programmes? „ How could CT-related social media expertise be integrated into HQ structures? „ Is it possible to develop reach-back capabilities to support deployed forces? „ What tools are there to offensively counter aggressive strategic narratives and which of them are in use in military entities of NATO and the nations? „ Which information from social media is relevant from an intelligence analyst’s viewpoint and which tools are used for social media analysis in military entities? „ Once key influencers and propaganda distribution centres have been identified, should the military take measures to impede the spread of certain messages? In such cases, is the military capable of doing so or would this require external / industry support? „ How are CT aspects reflected in the roles and responsibilities of existing functions and capabilities, such as StratCom, Info Ops, PA, and PSYOPS? Which concepts / doctrine could be improved and updated? „ How does the social media industry counter terrorism and where would cooperation with the military be beneficial? In closing, a number of suggestions regarding the following key issues identified are provided: „ Counter-Narratives „ Identities „ Social Media Analysis in support of Intelligence „ Information Operations, Psychological Operations and Counter-Terrorism These suggestions include future steps which might be beneficial for further CT-related exploitation of social media in military operations. We hope that those who could not attend the workshop can enjoy the content of this publication – as well as spark their interest in future activities dealing with this important topic.

ATTITUDE TO IMMIGRANTS AND ACTIONS OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN POLAND

ATTITUDE TO IMMIGRANTS AND ACTIONS OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN POLAND

Author(s): Małgorzata Rejman-Karolewska / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: immigrant; refugee; society; Amnesty International

The author focused on explaining the main concepts related to this process and on the problem of perception of immigrants in Poland. Additionally, author used the method of secondary analysis of statistical data and will present the observation resulting from the framework of own research on this problem. At the end the author presented the Amnesty International activities for immigrants and refugees.

Experience with cyber harassment in Norway

Zkušenosti s kyberobtěžováním v Norsku

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

Keywords: Norway; cyber space; cyber violence; cyber bullying; social informatics; social media; prevention of cyber bullying;

The “smart city” concept as a premise of coordinated and coherent sustainable development

Conceptul “smart city” ca premisă a dezvoltării durabile coordonate si coerente

Author(s): Florina FILIP,Constantin Miron,Adriana Ciobanu,Monica Cherecheş,,Aurelia Bradu / Language(s): Romanian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: smart city; sustainable development frameworks; social adaptability

Despite all the progress made in recent years, it is a fact that Romania still has an economy based on intensive consumption of resources, a society and an administration that are still looking for a unitary development strategy and a natural capital affected by the risk of damage that can become irreversible. The concept of coordinated and coherent development of cities has the premise that human civilization is a subsystem dependent on these fluxes of matter and energy, as well as its self-regulation capacity. This concept aims to maintain a rational, long-term balance between economic development and the integrity of the natural environment in forms understood and accepted by society. As far as our country is concerned, the defining element of the concept of "smart cities" is the full connection to a new philosophy of development, unique to the European Union and widely shared on a global level - that of sustainable development. The sustainable development of a smart city from this point of view is not one of the possible options, but is the only rational perspective of development through the confluence of economic, social and environmental factors.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. HAMAS’ USE OF HUMAN SHIELDS IN GAZA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. HAMAS’ USE OF HUMAN SHIELDS IN GAZA

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

Keywords: Hamas; Islamist militant group; Gaza Strip; human shields; conflict; civilians; war crimes; civilian casualties; Israel;

Hamas, an Islamist militant group and the de facto governing authority of the Gaza Strip, has been using human shields in conflicts with Israel since 2007. According to the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the war crime of using human shields encompasses “utilizing the presence of a civilian or other protected person to render certain points, areas, or military forces immune from military operations.” Hamas has launched rockets, positioned military-related infrastructure-hubs and routes, and engaged the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from, or in proximity to, residential and commercial areas. The strategic logic of human shields has two components. It is based on an awareness of Israel’s desire to minimise collateral damage, and of Western public opinion’s sensitivity towards civilian casualties. If the IDF uses lethal force and causes an increase in civilian casualties, Hamas can utilise that as a lawfare tool: it can accuse Israel of committing war crimes, which could result in the imposition of a wide array of sanctions. Alternatively, if the IDF limits its use of military force in Gaza to avoid collateral damage, Hamas will be less susceptible to Israeli attacks, and thereby able to protect its assets while continuing to fight. Moreover, despite the Israeli public’s high level of support for the Israeli political and military leadership during operations, civilian casualties are one of the friction points between Israeli left-wing and right-wing supporters, with the former questioning the outcomes of the operation.

№245. Space Observation Systems

№245. Space Observation Systems

Author(s): Christian Egenhofer,Monica Alessi / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU and global climate change policy; GHG emissions; UNFCCC; space-based observation;

The European Union has long played a key rolein global efforts to reduce GHG emissions and, where necessary, to adapt to its impacts. It has also been an advocate of a legally binding comprehensive global climate change agreement.

THE POLITICS OF POPULISM IN ROMANIA

THE POLITICS OF POPULISM IN ROMANIA

Author(s): Markéta Smrčková / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Romania; Political system; Political transition to democracy; Populism politics;

Since the beginning of Romania’s political transition to democracy, its politicians have made public promises that the country would follow the principles of democracy and the market economy. Yet between 1990 and 1996 these very same politicians used populist and nationalist slogans to attack not only western-style capitalism, but also the historic legacy of the inter-war period with which traditional political parties were linked, and ethnic minorities (especially Hungarians).

DATA QUALITY AS A CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR OF CRM IMPLEMENTATION IN INSURANCE

DATOVÁ KVALITA JAKO KLÍČOVÝ FAKTOR ÚSPĚŠNOSTI IMPLEMENTACE CRM SYSTÉMU V POJIŠŤOVNICTVÍ

Author(s): David Pejčoch / Language(s): Czech / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: CRM; Data Quality; Insurance; success factors; CLV; householding; GCC;

Principles of customer relationship management (CRM) can significantly affect the performance metrics of insurance company in both positive and negative sense. Well-graded elective care with regard to lifestyle and client lifetime value can significantly contribute to his satisfaction and loyalty. In contrast, congestion client with offerings, which for him are not relevant, could damage the relationship with him permanently and irreparably.

Forced to Flee: A Case Study Analysis of Sexual Violence During the Syrian Civil War

Forced to Flee: A Case Study Analysis of Sexual Violence During the Syrian Civil War

Author(s): Emma von der Lieth / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Syria; civil war; sexual violence; forced migration;

Since the start of the Syrian Civil War, sexual violence has been rampant, causing most Syrians to cite rape as the primary reason for fleeing their home country. This paper explores the relationship between type of perpetrator and the use of sexual violence during armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic. This case study investigates pro-government, opposition, Kurdish, and jihadist groups and analyzes which groups utilize sexual violence and their motivations for doing so. The pro-government group includes the Syrian Arab Armed forces and the shabbiha militia. The jihadist group examined is ISIS, the opposition group is the Free Syrian Army (FSA), and the Kurdish group includes both the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). Sources for this research include various reports from nonprofit and non-governmental organizations such as the Human Rights Watch, as well as reports from the Syrian Network for Human Rights, United States Department of State, and articles from various news outlets including the BBC. Throughout this case study, various subjects are discussed, including the importance of Syria’s history, the use of female combatants, the effects of masculinity and patriarchy on the prevalence of sexual violence, and the use of women as spoils of war. All of these phenomena play an important role in explaining how and why perpetrators use sexual violence. This research shows that sexual violence is used purposefully by jihadist and pro-government groups in Syria, but for differing reasons. Pro-government groups use sexual violence against any whom they perceive to be the enemy, which they believe is any Syrian against the Alawite (Shia) Assad regime. On the other hand, ISIS is more likely than pro-government groups to use women as spoils of war. This is because of the group’s emphasis on sexual jihad, and their need to recruit members. With the use of women as spoils of war, ISIS promises members that they can do as they please with these women. The fear of becoming a sex slave for ISIS also helps the group to enforce discipline on the regions they capture. While there is extensive literature regarding the subject of violence against women in conflict, this research is unique in its examination of different types of perpetrators with a narrow focus on Syria. Most importantly, this research provides insight for policy makers around the world regarding the creation of sustainable policy solutions to eliminate sexual violence during conflict.

Stray Dogs in Romania. - Policies, legal Framework and Solutions

Stray Dogs in Romania. - Policies, legal Framework and Solutions

Author(s): Roxana Pencea,Tudor Brădățan / Language(s): English

Keywords: stray-dogs;

Some of the animal attacks most publicized in the Romanian media are those by dogs without an owner. The entire issue is covered extensively by the domes¬tic media, with over 12 thousand articles containing the words “dogs without an owner” and almost 25 thousand articles containing the words “street dog.” The situation of street dogs has generated heated debates between animal lovers and those who will see the streets clear of the quadrupeds at any price. The debates are most often restricted to the law¬fulness and morality of the act of ending the life of unclaimed or unadopted dogs, a method which is preferred by authorities and receives generous bud¬gets but has proven ineffective in the medium and long run. While solutions have been sought all these years, the situation has remained almost unchanged – large numbers of dogs in the streets and ineffective authorities.

Evaluation os sustainability of construction materials exposed to lab conditions by testing in simulated environments

Evaluarea durabilităţii materialelor de construcţie expuse condiţiilor de laborator prin testare în mediu simulat

Author(s): Marius MÂRŢ,Florina FILIP,Monica Cherecheş,,Adrian-Alexandru Ciobanu,Aurelia Bradu / Language(s): Romanian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: building envelopes; thermal conductivity; aging; thermal behavior

In the context of the built environment, the energy consumption of a building is strongly dependent on the characteristics of its envelope. The thermal performance of external walls represents a key factor that can improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Thermal insulation materials play an important role in this scenario, by taking into account the characteristics of the insulation layer. High-quality materials must retain their characteristics as in the early stages, not only in terms of thermal insulation properties, but also through the ability to withstand long-term operating loads without a significant change throughout lifetime. This concept is applied at the material level, at the system level and at the building level. Materials obtained from petrochemicals as polystyrene or from natural sources processed with high-energy consumptions such as glass and rock wools, are commonly utilized for the insulation of buildings. From the perspective of sustainable development, the lack of durability of the insulation materials can lead to the failure of the envelope system, so that must be understood in quantitative terms. The aim of the paper is to establish the evolution of deterioration over time (long-term decrease in thermal resistance) and how the durability of insulating materials is influenced in supporting a long-term performance regime. The study also evaluates current research on the durability of insulating materials in the context of the technical aspects of laboratory tests.

Influence of test form on the cement compression strength

Influenţa formei probelor asupra rezistenţei la compresiune a cimentului

Author(s): Aurelia Bradu,Adrian-Alexandru Ciobanu,Monica Cherecheş,,Florina FILIP,Marius MÂRŢ / Language(s): Romanian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: cement; mortar; compressive strength;

Cement has an essential role in concrete composition, its dosage is established for technical and economic reasons. The cement is a mineral powdery material obtained from a chain of operations, which ends by grinding the Portland clinker, together with the addition of 2-4% gypsum to systematize the setting time. The cement quality is influenced by the particle specific surface and the mechanical resistances. The admissible limits of mineralogical composition variation are indicated in SR EN 197-1. In this paper, a comparative study of the cement resistance was performed at 48 hours, 7 days and 28 days on cubic specimens and halves of prisms. The following materials were used to prepare the mortars: cement type CEM II A-M (S-LL) 32.5 R, standardized sand CEN according to SR EN 196-1, water. The mortar was prepared mechanized by mixer ELE designed to mix mortars and cement pastes in accordance with SR EN 196-1. Immediately after mixing the mortar it was placed in the mould and compacted. The samples were immersed in water and kept until the test age: 2 days, 7 days and 28 days. The prismatic specimens were initially subjected to bending to halve the samples. The compressive strength was determined on cubic specimens and on the halves of the prisms resulting from bending. The specimens were removed from the water 15 minutes before perform the tests. The method of destroying cubic and the prism halves specimens corresponds to the prototypes specified in standards. The shape of the samples after the completion of the tests being similar to two overlapping cone trunks, joined by small bases. The values of compressive strength determined on cubic specimens were lower in all test subjects. The results of the experimental study performed, showed lower values for cubic specimens at all test terms. The compressive strength determined at 48 h after casting on the prism halves was with 30.06% higher than that obtained on cubes specimen, this difference being attenuated with the maturation of the cement stone. This phenomenon can be explained by the higher tangential forces developed along the lengths of the prism halves.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit of the Manager

The Entrepreneurial Spirit of the Manager

Author(s): Monica-Mihaela Beşcu / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: management;quality;entrepreneurial;education;educational;

Through this article we want to emphasize the importance of educational management. We are also interested in whether the manager of an educational institution has or should have an entrepreneurial spirit. In recent years, special emphasis has been placed on educational management. We observe a tendency towards interdisciplinarity in the Romanian education and the necessity of the presence of the entrepreneurial spirit in the educational institutions. Entrepreneurship and management have a close connection that we will discuss in the following article. Thus, our attention was drawn to the need for entrepreneurship in management positions. The special importance given to educational management, leadership and entrepreneurship has led us to approach this interesting topic. It is necessary to create a personal profile of the manager of the educational institutions and to understand what educational management means and how to be a good manager in order to achieve high results. For this we have conducted a research on these concepts, and the results and its course will be presented in this article. We are also interested in how the manager's activity influences the education provided in an educational institution.We have a number of compelling questions to which we want to receive scientifically substantiated answers and that is why we have proposed a research that will answer the current needs. The world is constantly changing and this forces the existence of a manager capable of adapting and managing the various situations that arise. We need to know what competencies and qualities a manager must have and his status within the organization.

ASPECTS REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN KINDERGARTEN AND FAMILY FOR THE HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD

ASPECTS REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN KINDERGARTEN AND FAMILY FOR THE HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD

Author(s): Anca Cristina Ivașcu / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: collaboration; development; kindergarten; family; child;

Abstract: The kindergarten and the family have an essential role in the harmonious development of the child. It is very important to have a close connection between the kindergarten and the child's family to be able to work together on his development. The kindergarten must always collaborate with the child's family, because the parents must be considered partners by the educator in the children's education, in the process of their development. Between the kindergarten and the family, there must be a permanent relationship of collaboration, which should be maintained through the realization of the educational partnership between the kindergarten and the family. The kindergarten-family educational partnership has an important role in the child's development, because through the activities within it, pluses are brought in the child's development. Both the kindergarten and the family have their well-established role in the kindergarten-family partnership and each one tries to do his part to be able to achieve something for the good of the children together, because this is the common goal of the two educational environments, that of working together on children's development, and to train him to be able to integrate into society. Therefore, the collaboration between the kindergarten and the family has a very important role in the harmonious development of the child. Keywords: collaboration; development; kindergarten; family; child.

Joe Alex (Maciej Słomczyński) and His "Czarne okręty" (Black Ships)

Joe Alex (Maciej Słomczyński) and His "Czarne okręty" (Black Ships)

Author(s): Robert A. Sucharski / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Joe Alex; Maciej Słomczyński; Czarne okręty; Minoan Thalassocrasy; Bildungsroman

Maciej Słomczyński, writer, poet and playwright, a prominent translator of English literature and the author of the acclaimed crime fiction stories, published under the pseudonym Joe Alex, is also the author of the historical-adventure novel for youth "Czarne okręty" [Black Ships]. Originally published in parts as a series, the novel follows the adventures of a Trojan boy, entangled in the intrigues of Egyptian priests and conspiracies of the rulers of Minoan Crete, and finally going for a quest to the Far North in search of the mythical land of amber. The quest, resembling – due to its exoticism – the Expedition of the Argonauts, despite ostensible success ends in fact in a disaster, and the novel itself can be used as an example of a specific type of Bildungsroman dressed in ancient robes.