INTERETHNIC RELATIONS STABILITY ON THE UKRAINE-ROMANIA BORDER: A CASE OF CHERNIVTSI REGION

INTERETHNIC RELATIONS STABILITY ON THE UKRAINE-ROMANIA BORDER: A CASE OF CHERNIVTSI REGION

Author(s): Kruglasov Anatoliy / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: Bukovyna; ethnic relations; culture of tolerance; borderland.

Situation with interethnic relations on the border of Romania and Ukraine is subjected to changes, especially after Romania accession to the EU. The most characteristic features of it could be analyzed on the example of Ukrainian part of Bukovina. This article considers first of all two aspects of Bukovynian regional phenomenon of ethnic tolerance: historical and contemporaneous ones. First part of the article proposes a brief historic retrospect, evaluating main stages of this multiethnic regional society phenomenon formation and evolution. And the second part regards current challenges of culture of tolerant relations amidst deferent ethnic groups, which leave together in this region. The data collected and points expressed in the article reflect surveys done with the author himself and summarizes mainly but not exclusively results of scholarship representing researchers of Yury Fedkoych Chernivtsi National University. The author does not pretend to cover all the issues related with making ethnic situation and ethnopolitics in the regions better. But these aspects of securing ethnonational stability into the given region could be taken into account by all parties concerned with the improvement of this very important sphere of social and political life alongside with the current border of the EU.

MARITAL STRATEGIES AND IDENTITY CHANGES OF ROMANIANS IN HUNGARY (HAJDU-BIHAR)

MARITAL STRATEGIES AND IDENTITY CHANGES OF ROMANIANS IN HUNGARY (HAJDU-BIHAR)

Author(s): Sisestean Gheorghe / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: parish registers; marriages; r eligion; magyarization; identity

The analysis of marriages within a community can provide important information on the meaning of demographic processes that are part of the community. Thus, high levels of marriage indicate the existence of young population of childbearing age, able to ensure biological reproduction of the group; a low level of marriage registration shows the regressive model of the community, which can eventually cause the demographic disappearance of the group by depletion of biological regeneration. Our surveys show the findings of a sociological research conducted on Romanian communities from the county of Hajdu-Bihar (Hungary).

Ethnicity and Multicultural Communication in Shaping the European Social Space

Ethnicity and Multicultural Communication in Shaping the European Social Space

Author(s): Darabaneanu Dragos / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: collective behavior; public institutions; ethnicity; European values; social compatibility

This paper aims to describe the phenomenon of the feeling of belonging to ethnic groups and how this influences the behavioral patterns and attitudes, manifested in the social groups. Also draw attention to the needs related to the adoption and implementation in the social space of general values designed to make compatible interaction between different ethnic groups. The material also brings a series of processing data that are developed as a result of social research, designed to motivate state of affairs related to the interaction between ethnic groups and to show how is conduct the intercultural communication. In the last part we try to develop a set of suggestions about possible strategies for implementation of social values necessary for intercultural communication and social spaces multinational construction. We also mentioned a number of advantages that Romanian society has social areas from construction and multicultural membership of the European social space.

Administrative Tools in the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Ethnic Minorities

Administrative Tools in the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Ethnic Minorities

Author(s): Valentina Cornea,Sergiu Cornea / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: binding tools; voluntary tools; mixed tools; administrative capacity; citizen competence.

The increased interest of international organizations and institutions toward minorities has led to the accumulation of a sufficient amount to respond to the desideratum of "equal rights". The two components of the international system of protection of national minorities - hard law and soft law – advertise active intervention of states. The institution with the mandate of organizing and executing the law is the public administration. The range of administrative tools used by public authorities on the question of minorities is varied. They are classified conventionally, in compulsory and voluntary instruments. The application of administrative tools in the protection and promotion of minority rights requires broad categories of resources: authority, financial capacity, official structure, information. Cultural conventions and regulations at the international and national level can provide to certain tools greater legal character than to others. In order to ensure the respect of the compulsory legal documents and of those politically binding, the efforts of the public authorities should be channeled at least in two directions: formulating and implementing appropriate policies and ensuring a sense of identity security of pluralistic demands. The identification as an ethnic minority related only by the verb "to be" and not to the verb "to do", impose that administrative tools must be selected according to criteria fairness, efficiency and of existing social support. Policies on minorities will be even more effective, if they will be based on comprehensive statistical data or some other data on the situation of ethnic groups, and approach the quality identity. The analysis of administrative tools by emphasizing the social impact that it produces, can serve as a foundation support for administrative decisions.

ETHNIC AND SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF POLITICAL CULTURE IN MOLDOVA

ETHNIC AND SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF POLITICAL CULTURE IN MOLDOVA

Author(s): Anna Gorban / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: democratization; ethnic minorities; national identity; ethnic consciousness, ethnic conflict; ethno-cultural stereotypes.

Intercultural and interethnic tensions have influenced the formation of Moldova's statehood, and have largely determined the political consciousness and behavior of the population over the past 20 years. Different socio-cultural issues such as national identity, the historical, linguistic and religious questions etc. have been subject to various participatory events and numerous civic and protest actions. This proved the existence and maintenance of a strong center-periphery cleavage (in terms of S.M. Lipset and S. Rokkan) in the post-communist context in the Moldovan state. Moldovan society remains divided in the promoters of nationalist message and the advocates for multicultural vision of state development, and communication between them is quite formal and inefficient. One of the main criteria of the division of population in these opposed categories is the national selfidentification, which confirms the key role of national factors in determining the intercultural dialogue in the country. The ambivalence in social and cultural orientations of Moldovan citizens determined the ambiguity in the civilizational status of Moldova. This causes the presence of fragmented and conflictual political culture in Moldova, which affects national consolidation and modernization of the state in general. The purpose of this paper lies in highlighting and analyzing the features of consciousness and socio-political behavior of representatives of various ethnic groups in Moldova, and the main national and ethnocultural problems and issues characteristic for Moldovan society during the last 20 years.

THE ROMANIAN BANAT REGION – AN EXAMPLE OF PEACEFUL INTERETHNIC COHABITATION AT THE EASTERN BORDER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

THE ROMANIAN BANAT REGION – AN EXAMPLE OF PEACEFUL INTERETHNIC COHABITATION AT THE EASTERN BORDER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Author(s): Monica Boldea,Grigore Silasi / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: Ethnicity; culture; values; inter-cultural communication; tolerance, solidarity

The present paper analyzes the concept of security, emphasizing the difference between political security and societal security, referring to the different types of threats to security, depending on the traits that social groups will define as essential to their identity. Our paper aims also to draw attention upon the significant facts of culture and civilization in a region situated at the confluence of Central and South-Eastern Europe, it aims to reflect the understanding of the plural character of the historic development, and it also aims to pin-point the intercultural character of the Banat region as an example of inter-regional tolerance. The chosen case study - the region of Banat - proves balance between various religions, traditions, customs and between various lifestylesThe intellectual work and the improvement in the degree of civilization conveyed by Romanians, Serbs, Hungarians, Jews, Bulgarians and Slovaks in Banat have become a common inheritance. Another important feature of the culture of this region would be that it was promoted by the entire community, and one can notice the interactive feature of the inter-cultural phenomenon as an outstanding approach of a peaceful living together. Our research can be considered a synthesis regarding the relationship between the coexistence of different ethnicities and cultures and the economic and social performance and, respectively, the setting up of an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual assistance, in fact a manifestation of inter-territorial solidarity aiming towards a better life and in which the diffusion of historical experiences becomes factor of development and economic growth.

Subjective Well-Being and Satisfaction with Places of Residence in the Counties at the Cross-Border Between Hungary and Romania

Subjective Well-Being and Satisfaction with Places of Residence in the Counties at the Cross-Border Between Hungary and Romania

Author(s): Sergiu Bălţătescu / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: happiness; satisfaction with residence; national satisfaction; cross-border region

Using data from a survey with 1824 subjects from four counties at the Romanian-Hungarian border, this paper focuses on levels of personal subjective well-being and the relationship that this has with satisfaction with neighbourhood, locality, region, country and EU. We found that Hungarians in Hungary are the most satisfied with their lives, and also with their places of residence. Romanian majority and Hungarian minority in Romania display similar levels of personal well-being, and are equally satisfied with their neighbourhoods and localities. However, the Hungarian minority is less satisfied with Romania, but also with EU. Satisfaction with neighbourhood, locality and region predicts the best personal well-being of the citizens from both countries.

The Belgian Dilemma of Partition. A Pattern Study for the East

The Belgian Dilemma of Partition. A Pattern Study for the East

Author(s): George Anglitoiu / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: Partition; Flemish Flander s; French Wallonia; Ethno-linguistic cleansing, Devolution; State reform; Governmentlessness; Laissez-faire politics; EU Capital

The practice of post-modernity revived in the concept of devolution as the best referential to local governence as compared to the permanent structure of federalism. As a result of almost continuos state reform in the last 40 years, Belgium has both systems, but also no full-fledged government. Divided in a complicated array of linguistic-based communities and regions boasting large competencies from education to fiscality and voting rights, the kingdom faces not only the fluctuant political choices of its citizens (as shown by the modern tool of manipulation, namely the polls), but also the specter of dissolution - due to the political deadlock of defining a common functional governing agenda, and to a sort of reciprocal ethnolinguistic cleansing.

Differentiated Containment: Compass and Horizon in Untying Ethhnicity and Interest within EU

Differentiated Containment: Compass and Horizon in Untying Ethhnicity and Interest within EU

Author(s): Lucian Dragos Ivan / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: ethnic; demographic; migration; clash; policy.

Should we pay special attention to the relations between countries that have historical interethnic issues? In our century it turns out that managing interethnic relations between countries in the EU is an important bottleneck that can have a powerful impact upon the integrity of the EU. Uncertainty regarding what it is to become of the contemporary European Union, yet apparent certainty about the need for reconstructing geopolitics within the EU has rekindled interest in the field of international relations and interethnic cooperation. Such renewed interest of this core concept has translated into the need for a greater historical sensitivity to forms of geopolitical social organization that can arise European political structures. It is my opinion that we are going to witness a shift in the way ethnicity is view, a shift towards the concept of “interest”. It is now something of a bien pensant cliché to remark that the EU-led policy of public diplomacy and soft power did a lot to persuade countries into the system. This study is supported by a complex statistic data base that comes to support or even put forward new interpretation to this problem.

Electoral Systems and Minorities Representations in the Eastern European Area

Electoral Systems and Minorities Representations in the Eastern European Area

Author(s): Bevziuc Victoria / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: electoral system; proportional representation; political parties; etc.

The political integration of ethnic minorities is one of the most challenging tasks facing the countries of post-communist Europe. The roads to political representation in the mainstream political process are numerous and diverse. The results of the analysis support the paper's argument that electoral arrangements are important but no key to achieving meaningful political representation. Electoral arrangements thus seem to matter, but to mostly do so in situations where other factors of political mobilization seem to make representation uncertain. The effect of electoral arrangements on the success of ethnic parties is clearly mitigated by the size and dynamics of the minority they represent. However, there seems to be some link between the presence of ethnic parties in the political system and the level of political participation of the ethnic minority. Both Lijphart and Norris point out the importance of proportional representation for that aim, as this electoral system allows the representation of all social groups. Or, in the other words: “Majority rule is dangerous in divided societies, because minorities that are continually denied access to political power will feel excluded and discriminated against by the regime”. Undoubtedly, electoral rules have an important effect on ethnic minority representation

INTEGRATION OF IMMIGRANTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

INTEGRATION OF IMMIGRANTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Author(s): Alexandra Cseke / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: Schengen Agreement; imm igrants; European Union; migration.

The extent of migration is increasing in the European Union as well as in the world in general. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage for the target countries. Many migrants are legal and their presence could help in promoting economic development, with the migration of skilled people playing an important part in increasing employment and economic growth. However, there are many immigrants who are illegal and these people constitute a major problem, politically and socially, for the receiving country. These illegal immigrants can increase the number of unemployed and homeless people, and can be a significant burden for the host country. Because of this, countries need to resolve migration issues by implementing a welldesigned integration policy. This policy would be the best solution for this problem. The most significant legislation has been the Schengen Agreement, which removed the internal borders and at the same time confirmed the external borders. Also, the Schengen Agreement introduced the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum in order to achieve integration, which is founded on the balance of rights and obligations of migrants. The policy should include a provision in reference to employment and the requirement of learning the language of the host country. The primary method of this paper is the documentation of acts and policies regarding integration in the European Union.

Ukrainian Minority in Romania: Problems of National Identity Preserving

Ukrainian Minority in Romania: Problems of National Identity Preserving

Author(s): Yuriychuk Yuriy / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: national minority; religious freedom; assimilation; public organizations.

In this article the author analized the position of Ukrainian minority in Romania. It’s dedicated to the problems of Ukrainians in Romania. The auther pointed out that during XX century there were two waves of immigration to Romania from Ukraine. Nowadays the most part of Ukrainians concentrates in Maramures, Suceava, Karash-Severin, Tulcea, Satu Mare, Arad and Botosani. They have some difficulties in realizing their right for free ethnic-cultural development. For instance, they haven’t a possibility to study in native language, to listen service in Ukrainian, etc. These problems have to be solved according to European standards.

Migration in Europe Against the Backdrop of the Global Revolution – An African Perspective

Migration in Europe Against the Backdrop of the Global Revolution – An African Perspective

Author(s): Parumaul Kobasheni Moopen / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: global revolution; social ch ange; democracy; social media; cyber revolution, youth uprisings; changing world politics.

This article attempts to investigate the phenomenon of migration in Europe against the backdrop of the Global revolution for social change, democracy and the effect of the social media, the cyber revolution and youth uprisings in changing world politics; with particular reference to Africa. The churning wheels of social change, communication and political thinking invites intercultural dialogue on the social conscience revolution and its future in addressing the changing landscape of constructive intervention and management.

Transdniestria. Ethnic Conflict or Geopolitical Interests?

Transdniestria. Ethnic Conflict or Geopolitical Interests?

Author(s): Bencic Aurora ,Hodor Teodor Ioan / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: Transdniestria; geopolitics; conflicts; ethnicity

The evolutions in the final years of the twentieth century in the Soviet Union and in all the Communist area led to significant changes in the Eastern Europe area, changes that continue until today. Some countries of the former Soviet bloc have been able to define a clear orientation to the west, to “Europe”, while others are still searching for a direction, and have passed through different orientations depending on their own temporal interests or strong external influences. Our subject research is focused on the case of Transnistria, the conflict and its core elements, the main actors involved, the characterization of the conflict and its peculiarities compared with other “frozen conflicts” and the attempts to create an identity.

Demographic Determinants of the Economic-Financial Crisis

Demographic Determinants of the Economic-Financial Crisis

Author(s): Florica Ştefănescu / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: economic and financial crisis; causes; demographic changes; labor market, budget; the financial-banking system

The waning of the birth rate and of fertility, the increase in life expectancy and the ageing of the population trigger important imbalances on the labor market, in the public sector and even in the financial-banking system. The population segment able to work decreases in favor of that representing the older population, thus causing an increase in the dependence rate of the elderly. The low birth rate and the low fertility render the work force reserve insufficient regarding the economic growth perspectives. The social insurance and health care budgets undergo heavy pressure as a consequence of the ever increasing needs of the pensioners. In its turn, the financial-banking system suffers from a reduction in the saving rate, the elderly being forced to reduce their consumption, let alone to save money, due to their low income from pensions. Even if they do not represent the main causes of the current economic-financial crisis, without doubt, demographic changes have contributed to its start, and their unfavorable evolution on a long term basis can accentuate such crises or it can start new ones. In such circumstances, it is mandatory to transform population ageing from a problem into an opportunity.

Historical and Geographical Considerations about the Slovak Communities in the Villages of Upper Bistra Valley, Bihor County

Historical and Geographical Considerations about the Slovak Communities in the Villages of Upper Bistra Valley, Bihor County

Author(s): Nistor Stelian,Sorin Șipoș / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: colonisation; historical evolu tion; glass factory; coal exploitation

The slovak population from the upper part of Bistra valley played an important role in the economic, social and political life of the area. Present here from the late XVIIIth century, the slovak community faced all the changes caused by historical, political, economical evolutions and still remains, in the present, an active and important part of daily life with significant influence upon all ather social and economic components.

The Culture of Security: Perceptions and Preference Formation in the European Union

The Culture of Security: Perceptions and Preference Formation in the European Union

Author(s): Dorin Dolghi / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: security; identity; culture; European Union; perceptions; preferences

The present paper brings into discussion the role and importance of identity and cultural variables in the construction of a European security culture. The main points are related to a conceptual and theoretical framework that can provide the methodology for investigating security perceptions and to understand the limits of preference formation. For exemplification, we use certain data from Eurobaromenter that suggest an increasing common perception that all the fears and expectations are commonly shared by the Europeans and in this terms we can talk about a security culture.

Peculiarities of Ethnonational Policy of Ukraine (Illustrated by the Example of the Chernivtsi Region)

Peculiarities of Ethnonational Policy of Ukraine (Illustrated by the Example of the Chernivtsi Region)

Author(s): Molochko Pavlo / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: interethnic relations; ethn ic stereotype; monitoring; interethnic tolerance, Ukraine.

In the context of European integration of the countries of Eastern Europe problem of ethnic relations remains the key issue. At the present stage of its development Ukraine is actively trying to bring its legislation in conformity with major European norms in the field of interethnic relations. However, there are several problems nowadays in Ukraine that could potentially affect this branch of relations. Ethnic stereotypes play an important role in the formation of inter-ethnic tolerance. In order to study the impact of ethnic stereotypes on the sphere of interethnic tolerance the author cites the results of monitoring of periodicals of the Chernivtsi region of Ukraine. In spite of the fact that there is some information that involves inter-ethnic intolerance, the author concludes that in general the press materials of the Chernivtsi region are dominated by neutral character or there are those which have no significant influence on the formation of ethnic stereotypes and which over some time might serve as a basis of conflict on the interethnic grounds.

ETHNICITY, RELIGION AND INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULA OF EUROPEAN STUDIES

ETHNICITY, RELIGION AND INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULA OF EUROPEAN STUDIES

Author(s): Ioan Horga / Language(s): English / Issue: Suppl01/2011

Keywords: Ethnicity; Religion; Intercultural education; Curricula of European Studies; Old Europe; New Europe.

Our initiative first aims at introducing the topics on ethnicity, religion and intercultural dialogue in the Curricula of European Studies in 12 European Union Member States (Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Italy, Romania, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark). Although the number of courses approaching topics relating to culture, social realities and historical experiences is low (only 4.5% out of the total number of inventoried courses), there is a great variety of such courses. Second, our initiative is an attempt to settle the trends in the evolution of the curricula in the field.

Modern Dimensions in Option Industry

Актуални измерения на опционната индустрия

Author(s): Stefan Simeonov / Language(s): Bulgarian / Issue: 3/1999

The research of the dimensions of the modern option industry is inspired by the fast introduction of option instruments on financial markets and their rapid development and enrichment. The various applications of options in hedging, speculative and arbitrage methods offer unique investment opportunities. Thus their importance for the development of Bulgarian capital market shouldn’t be neglected. The objective of this article is to suggest a more concrete and detailed study of futures and spot aspects of advanced options trade; negative term value of options as well as advanced synthetic and combined strategies.