The European Social Model in the Eurointegration of Romania and Bulgaria: Quality of Life in Terms of Policies and Outcomes

Author(s): Gabriela Motoi / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

According to Eurostat statistics, more than 10 years after joining the European Union, Bulgaria and Romania "dispute" the last places in the rankings, which reveal the evolution of the main indicators of the quality of life. In addition, it seems that 12 years of European funds absorption, a large part of them being for the development of human capital, were not enough for the Romanian and Bulgarian societies to make progress in improving the quality of life of their citizens. Based on these considerations, this study aims to analyse, in a comparative manner, how social policies on several topics, such as, population, education or health have or have not produced positive effects on quality of life. Moreover, our study is relying on the fact that, although there are national social policy regulations and action lines conforming to the European Social Model, in the two societies (Romanian and Bulgarian), statistics confirm us that the effects are not similar in each of the 28 EU countries.

The Western Balkans: Arena of Rivalry among Global and Regional Actors

Author(s): Georgi Chankov / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The European Union is implementing the "transforming force" strategy towards the countries of Southeast Europe. The Union can expect no economic benefits from adopting theseunderdeveloped countries. Besides, the Western Balkan countries have unsolved problems thatcould be transferred to the EU itself in the process of inclusion. Nevertheless, the EU cannot afford to withdraw from the region because of the already invested financial and political capitalthere. Due to their geographic and geopolitical location, the Western Balkans are subject of rivalry among the USA, Russia, China and Turkey. This rivalry threatens the EU with loss of its farpartial control there. In this competition the EU faces great difficulty in defining its strategy towards the region.

Republic of Macedonia: Ethno-Political Dilemmas and Challenges in the Eurointegration Processes

Author(s): Mariana Stamova / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Being the only country to achieve its independence peacefully in the process of disintegration of federal Yugoslavia, the Republic of Macedonia has been facing some serious issues.While in the last decade of the XX century the focus was primarily on the international recognitionof the country, the first decade of the XXI century Macedonia needs to tackle acute internal crossnational contradictions, as well as the challenges of Euro-Atlantic integration. In 2001 the political and ethno-national situation in Macedonia has entered a qualitatively new phase. The nearly 10 years-old "Macedonian model of ethnic coexistence" in which Macedonians and Albanians were trying to find a common language of communication and apply European standards in minority policy underwent through a sharp reversal. The threat of unleashing the 2001 conflict into a civil war was thwarted with the intervention of the international community. The Ohrid Agreement was followed constitutional amendments and adoption of laws regulating local government, education and use of language, the introduction of quota representation based on ethnic lines in various state structures, including the army and security forces. The Ohrid Agreement sanctioned the new constitutional concept of a multiethnic society and thus the position of the Albanians as key institutional factor within Macedonia. The internal ethno-national dynamics undeniably has left its mark on the Euro-Atlantic integration process of Macedonia.

Wprowadzenie

Author(s): Roman Kuźniar / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

PRZEGLĄD SYTUACJI MIĘDZYNARODOWEJ: ASPEKTY GLOBALNE I REGIONALNE

Author(s): Roman Kuźniar / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

If it was not for the coronavirus pandemic, 2019 and the beginning of 2020 wouldnot have been regarded in the international politics as overly exciting. One exceptionwas the American-Iranian crisis at the turn of 2019/20. America under Donald Trumpcontinued to waste its leadership capital at both global and transatlantic level. The Weststarted to show signs of its triple division into the US – Western Europe – and Central/Southern Europe, with the latter widening the distance from “old Europe” and shiftingpolitically towards a second class democracy at best. Under Viktor Orbán, Hungarybecame in a way the fi rst private state in contemporary Europe. Transition of power atthe top of EU institutions paralyzed the Union’s foreign activity. Russia, despite its ratherpoor domestic performance, was doing well internationally mainly due to the weakEU and the hectic American policy. China continued its stable course, although itseconomy was slowly losing its previous impetus. Thomas Hobbes’s visions of politicsseemed to settle down in the wider Middle East, where there were many mid- and microlevelconfl icts, clashes and tensions, and no hope for a clear weather. The coronaviruspandemic, which started during the fi rst months of 2020 and will last for a few monthsmore, will bring deep consequences for the global and national economies all overthe world as well as for international politics. However, COVID-19 driven changes needmore time for a credible assessment.

WSPÓLNA POLITYKA BEZPIECZEŃSTWA I OBRONY W 2019 R.: CZAS PIERWSZYCH OCEN

Author(s): Marek Madej,Marcin Terlikowski / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The article discusses the evolution and functioning of the Common Securityand Defence Policy of the EU in 2019. The authors begin with an analysis of the maindeterminants of cooperation within CSDP, focusing on the impact of the perspectiveon Brexit as well as internal political changes and tensions in main European countries(France, Germany), and US-Europe relations. They discuss the evolution of the politicaldimension of European cooperation on security and defence, including the debates onEuropean strategic autonomy and changes in European institutions. They also presentthe development of PESCO, including the course of the debates on the participationof third states in this initiative, as well as it’s functioning in 2019. Additionally, theyanalyze current changes in operational activities (i.e. CSDP missions and operations),including modifi cations of key instruments for executing such actions, like the socalled Civilian Compact. In conclusion, they off er an overall assessment of the resultsand achievements of CSDP in 2019, together with a concise prognosis of its futuredevelopment.

JEŹDŹCY APOKALIPSY NA HORYZONCIE: DZIAŁALNOŚĆ RADY BEZPIECZEŃSTWA W 2019 R.

Author(s): Patrycja Grzebyk / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The article assesses the activity of the Security Council in 2019. It explains the reasonsbehind Russia’s and China’s vetoes concerning the situation in the Middle Eastand Venezuela, and the discussion blockade on the situation in Ukraine and Myanmar.It describes the main trends in decisions on country and regional situations, as wellas in the adoption of thematic resolutions. In addition, it summarizes the progressof peacekeeping operations and the impact of Polish membership in the SecurityCouncil. The article argues that some problems which cause political tension arecurrently “juridicized”; that Russia and China oppose inclusion of Human Rights issuesin the Security Council works; and that Poland concludes its membership with rathermeagre results.

KONTROLA ZBROJEŃ I ROZBROJENIE W DZIEDZINIE JĄDROWEJ : 2019 ROK POD ZNAKIEM UPADKU REŻIMU INF

Author(s): Marek Tabor / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

In 2019, the nuclear arms control architecture collapsed. The article presents the mostimportant examples of this process; fi rstly, the continuing destruction of the nuclearagreement with Iran – JCPOA – and no progress on full denuclearization of the KoreanPeninsula; secondly, compliance with the obligations arising from the New STARTwith no decisions regarding its future; and thirdly, US withdrawal from INF and itsultimate collapse.

INTENSYWNOŚĆ I UMIĘDZYNARODOWIENIE KONFLIKTÓW ZBROJNYCH W AFRYCE I NA BLISKIM WSCHODZIE W 2019 R.

Author(s): Bolesław Balcerowicz,Kamila Pronińska / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The aim of this article is to analyze the ongoing 2019 confl icts in the Middle Eastand Africa. The selection of armed confl icts was made on the basis of two maincriteria: intensity, i.e. the scale of battle-deaths; and internationalization, i.e. militaryinvolvement of third countries. As part of the Strategic Yearbook series that reviewscurrent armed confl icts, this study is a continuation of analyses from previous editions.Its purpose is to explore the conditions and dynamics of the 2019 armed confl ictsand their implications for international security. It also explains the reasons of theirincreasing intensity and internationalization.

TRANSFORMACJA ENERGETYCZNA A TRADYCYJNE ZAGROŻENIA BEZPIECZEŃSTWA ENERGETYCZNEGO: TRENDY GLOBALNE I EUROPEJSKIE

Author(s): Kamila Pronińska / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The article surveys an analysis of the most important energy market trends fromthe perspective of their importance for global and European energy security and globalclimate security. The author illustrates the importance of both climate change challengesand traditional threats to energy security – especially those related to the oil suppliesdisruptions and price fl uctuations – on the dynamically changing energy market. In 2019,global oil market experienced the largest disruptions in the 21st century due to the attackon Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities in Abqaiq. How did this spectacular event impact oil/energy security? How did contemporary demand-supply trends help in managingthe 2019 disruptions? Finally, the author examines the scale of transformative changesin the energy market with regard to energy effi ciency, renewable energy, CO2 emissions,and how energy-climate policy interacts with the energy security environment.

UNIA EUROPEJSKA: CZAS DEFICYTU ZAUFANIA

Author(s): Paweł J. Borkowski,Paweł Janusz Borkowski / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

At the beginning of 2019, the EU faced substantial but defi ned challenges: Brexit, newleadership after the elections to the new Parliament, confronting the growing rift betweenthe two sides of the Atlantic. There was tension associated with predictions of a majorvictory for Eurosceptic parties, which would enable them to paralyze the EuropeanParliament. As the year progressed, distrust became gradually the central and majorfactor defi ning political decisions. This article provides insight into various dimensionsof this unfavourable situation that makes the EU not a good place to live: growingimpatience with the United Kingdom, mistrust undermining the Atlantic community,a widening Franco-German split. The last part sums up the fi fteen years of Polishmembership in the EU, emphasizing also the lack of basic trust as the dominating factorin the relations since 2015.

STANY ZJEDNOCZONE: WIELKA POLITYKA W CIENIU IMPEACHMENTU

Author(s): Aleksandra Jarczewska / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

2019 was dominated by political tensions and the impeachment process against PresidentDonald Trump – only a third such case in the history of the United States (US).The domestic struggle between Democrats and Republicans did not leave muchspace for the administration to conduct and implement its political goals in other areas.Despite growing rivalry between major world powers (US, China, Russia), includingincreasing tensions and confl icts on a global scale, US foreign policy remained onthe sidelines. However, the US economy continued to fl ourish, increasing the incumbentPresident’s chances for re-election in 2020. The goal of this paper is to analyze the USdomestic aff airs and its foreign policy through the events of 2019. The main hypothesisis that the initiation of the impeachment process was a manifestation of a politicalcrisis in the US but, due to good economic conditions, the charges against the USPresident carried negative consequences neither for the country’s domestic situationnor for the President himself. Rather, the impeachment trial resulted in a deepeningof the leadership crisis in the US and overall weakening of the country’s position onthe global scene.

ROSJA: W STRONĘ OBLĘŻONEJ TWIERDZY

Author(s): Marek Menkiszak / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The still relatively weak public support for the government and the outbreak of localprotests were a source of concern for the Kremlin in 2019. Responding to those,the authorities tightened control over the Internet and launched a historical campaignto create an image of an external enemy. Above all, however, at the beginningof 2020, the Kremlin changed the government, initiated constitutional amendmentsand announced new social transfers. This was not only meant to meet the socialdemand for change, but also to prepare a process of power succession, which aimedin fact at guaranteeing the continuation of Putin’s rule. This process was acceleratedbecause the economy was stagnant, with no prospects of much improvement while newchallenges appeared on the horizon. In foreign aff airs, Russia continued its currentpolicy, abandoning hope for a breakthrough in relations with the US. However, it hopedthat growing transatlantic tensions and the fear of strengthening Russian-Chinesecooperation would lead European countries to revise their policy in a direction morefavourable for Moscow, which was reinforced by France’s initiatives to normalizerelations with Russia.

EUROPA WSCHODNIA I KAUKAZ POŁUDNIOWY: DŁUGI CIEŃ ROSJI

Author(s): Andrzej Szeptycki / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

This article aims to analyze the current situation in Eastern Europe and South Caucasusfrom the perspective of Russia’s foreign policy. The Russian Federation seeks torebuild its dominance in the post-Soviet area, in particular in Ukraine and Belarus,as well as in the countries belonging to the Eurasian Economic Union. While it doesnot have a hegemonic position in the region, its infl uence has a relatively limited butlasting character, all the more so due to European Union’s passivity and its lack of anyattractive and credible off er beyond association agreements, as well as the adventurismof the US policy under Donald Trump. In the coming years, Russia’s growing concernwill be the competition with China in the region.

NIEMCY: W POSZUKIWANIU NOWEGO MODUS OPERANDI

Author(s): Lidia Gibadło / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

Thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the German reunifi cation a year later,the Federal Republic of Germany is facing new challenges in internal and foreignpolicy. The main goal of this article is to describe the trends and key events shapingboth these spheres. Firstly, the author describes the evolution of the German partysystem as well as the emergence of the climate policy as a key issue infl uencing voters’preferences. The second part of the article focuses on the way Germany is graduallyadapting to new global realities in which globalization is accompanied by growingrivalry of global and regional powers. Following a two-way strategy, Angela Merkel’sgovernment tries, on the one hand, to protect the multilateral order and, on the other, toreconcile contradictory interests in relations with China and Russia while maintainingstrategic alliance with France and the USA. In the meantime, Germany is awaitinga new political era after chancellor Merkel leaves offi ce, which may prevent the FederalRepublic from taking bolder steps in foreign policy until a new political constellationemerges. However, Brexit and the decision on Huawei and ZTE participation in buildinga German 5G network might speed up the process of defi ning the role of post-MerkelGermany in world politics.

GLOBALNY I REGIONALNY WYMIAR POLITYKI ZAGRANICZNEJ CHIŃSKIEJ REPUBLIKI LUDOWEJ

Author(s): Dominik Mierzejewski,Dominik Mierzejewski,Przemysław Ciborek / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The article discusses the basic rationale for China’s policy towards the major internationalactors: the United States, Russia, and the European Union. This fi rst part is followed by anin-depth analysis of China’s behaviour within the format of peripheral diplomacy withJapan and the Korean Peninsula as well as with Vietnam and the Philippines in South--East Asia. The major argument in the article is based on the assumption that, throughregional initiatives like the Code of Conduct, Beijing is looking for more infl uencein the region to limit and balance Washington’s position in the East Asia region.

CHINY NA BECZCE PROCHU? PROTESTY W HONGKONGU W 2019 ROKU I ICH PRZYCZYNY

Author(s): Łukasz Zamęcki / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

2019 brought massive and fi erce protests to Hong Kong. Contentious politics in thisSpecial Administrative Region of China should be seen through the deep changesin Hong Kong’s society and politics after the Handover. Mainlandization of the regionis met with public resistance. This article underlines the economic, social and politicalreasons of this resistance and the growth of radical politics in Hong Kong, and it discussesthe changes in tactics of the protesters.

BLISKI WSCHÓD: W POSZUKIWANIU NOWEJ RÓWNOWAGI

Author(s): Wiesław Lizak / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The collapse of existing political and social structures in the Middle East creates spacefor seeking new systemic solutions. For many countries, this is an opportunity tochange their position and international roles in the region. Especially Iran and Turkeyhave become very active, seeking to strengthen their regional position. Being twoof the largest countries in the Middle East, their actions entail consequences that gobeyond the region, thus becoming the subject of non-regional powers.

AMERYKA FIRST W POLITYCE ZAGRANICZNEJ RP

Author(s): Agnieszka Bieńczyk-Missala / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The article discusses Poland’s foreign policy in 2019/2020. The government continued itsEurosceptical policy, getting involved in numerous confl icts with European institutionsand showing scepticism towards further deepening of European integration. Mucheff ort was put into the relations with the United States, especially in the area of security.The eff ectiveness of regional forums proved to be limited. The policy towards easternneighbours was determined mainly by historical problems.

POLSKA W ŚWIECIE IMPERIÓW WIEDZY

Author(s): Anna Wojciuk,Anna Wójciuk / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

This text off ers an analysis of the outcomes of transformation in Poland in the fi eldsof education and science, namely: general education, professional education, highereducation, and science. The author discusses Poland’s major strengths in these fi eldsand its most striking weaknesses.