(С)поделена природа? Природно наследство и местно развитие в един регион от българо-сръбското пограничие

Author(s): Ivaylo Markov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2017

The article is focused on a border region between Bulgaria and Serbia which is geographically dominated by Ruy Mountain (whose ridge is the boundary between Bulgaria and Serbia) and the valley of Erma river forming two huge defiles along its way in this mountainous region – the Lomnishko defile (in Bulgaria) and the Poganovsko defile (in Serbia). The micro region (from natural and geographical point of view) shared until 1919 several cultural, social and economic characteristics (from an anthropological point of view), thus forming a common historical and geographical entity. The demarcation of the boundary between Bulgaria and Serbia as a result of the Treaty of Neuilly split the region between the two countries. The border regime, which was rigid and impermeable through the whole second half of the 20th century, made the zones on the both sides of the border well guarded, but industrially underdeveloped periphery. With the opening of the border in the period after 1989 and especially with the intensification of the European integration processes the character of the Bulgarian-Serbian border is undergoing changes and is gradually turning into a bridge for diverse trans-border initiatives. A great deal of these initiatives are connected with the well preserved ecology of the region, which is evaluated at present as a treasure by the local authorities and communities who believe it to be an important resource and instrument for the overcoming of the peripheral position of the region.

Putin’s Russia in Russian Eyes

Author(s): Jerzy J. Wiatr / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2017

1989: Szempontok a rendszerváltás globális politikai gazdaságtanához

Author(s): Márk Áron Éber,Ágnes Gagyi,Tamás Gerőcs,Csaba Jelinek,András Pinkasz / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 21/2014

This article rethinks 1989 – the year commonly treated as a milestone of regime change. As contrary to this narrow view, and with the aim of laying out the conceptual foundations of possible future research projects, we give a short overview of the way Hungary became incorporated into the capitalist world system and of the key global, economic, and geopolitical factors that influenced its dependent development. For this we present a historically sensitive, global political economic narrative within which we pay special attention to the way public debt had been accumulated and how this, in turn, shaped Hungary’s position within the world system. After our analysis of the regime change we continue with an overview of the main structural dynamics of the last two decades. Finally, through two short case studies, we show how our perspective can throw new light on the political ideologies and economic policies of the era. The accumulation of state debt was not a Hungarian specificity: instead, we argue that it was rather a result of the global restructuring process and of its concomitant effect of decreasing national state-sovereignty. In the following manner, we also argue that the emergence of debates (which were central in evaluating the regime change, revolving around issues like „democracy” vs. „dictatorship” or „planning” vs. „market”) can be better understood within our global, historical, and political economic analytical framework. In the long run we identify two economic development strategies – namely, the strategy of liberalization and the strategy of protectionism – both structured around the, nonetheless entirely unfulfilled, hope of overcoming Hungary’s semi-peripheral position by „catching up” to its Western neighbors. These strategies then can be analyzed on the base of how they relate to global cycles of accumulation; how their shifts were influenced by changes in the world system; and, in turn, how these strategies organized both various elite projects shaped by global cyclical dynamics and the interpretations about our historically unfolding dependent position.

AFRICA IN QUEST OF STABILITY? REFLECTIONS INSPIRED BY THE CURRENT PROBLEMS OF HUMANITY

Author(s): Alphonse Zozime Tamekamta / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2018

This study proposes to analyze the determinants of the volatile situation of Africa and its capacity of adaptation or appropriation of the global stakes, with regard to the current problems of the humanity, described in the work coordinated by the Professor Dumitru Otovescu. Africa is considered here as a field of application since this continent is subject to all attention eye, all anxieties and all hopes. To lead this reflection, three methods of data collection were favoured: First, the ethnographic method which involved neutral direct observation. Observation provides information about social and political actors. Then, the interviews (unstructured, semi-structured and standardized) that gave rise to conversations, formal and informal, conducted on the basis of an interview guide, a questionnaire or a survey, structured around from subject. Finally, the exploitation of newspaper articles, magazines and periodicals, various reports, books, etc. At the end of this work, it is observed that Africa suffers as much as the other continents the volatility of the banking and economic system due to the practice of capitalism. Although sector-specific (developed-country) and global responses have been taken following several global economic and financial crises, Africa has remained isolated and compartmentalized. Today, its galloping demography and the extreme youth of its population as well as the natural wealth at its disposal are the basis of the hope of Africa. In contrast, the segmentation of its economic recovery programs, the tribulations of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the faculties of its political governance and the recurrence of crises and complex escapes.

Оценката на въздействието на активната политика на пазара на труда на индивидуално ниво в България: преглед на извършените оценки и научени уроци

Author(s): Ralitsa Simeonova-Ganeva,Radostina Angelova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2018

This article presents a review of the methodological approach and econometric models used to evaluate the impact of active labour market policy (ALMP) at individual level in Bulgaria. The discussed evaluations are conducted by various academic or applied research teams for the purposes of planning and evaluating public policies under employment policy and cover the period 2005-2017. Here, we attempt to summarize the net effects of thirteen evaluation reports that include assessment of various measures, programs and interventions on the labour market as well as to capture the dynamics of the impact over time. In conclusion, the authors show recommendations for improvement of both the evaluation and the policy formulation. Discussed are also the limitations of the ALMP to influence the socio-economic processes and formulate some recommendations on its effective and efficient implementation.

SEO и методи за анализ – тенденции през 2018

Author(s): Ivaylo Dimitrov,Slavi Dimitrov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2018

The way to attract organic traffic to your sites is called Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and summarizes all techniques and methods to improve your site‘s visibility in search engines. With the advent of new technologies, new search methods, which are based on trends in SEO. Directly connected with it is web analytics, where you can get information on the achieved results.

Растения и идентичност: от биокултурните характеристики към валоризацията на местни растителни ресурси

Author(s): Valentina Ganeva-Raycheva,Dessislava Dimitrova,Teodora Ivanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2018

The paper examines the process of transformation of plant species into emblems that play an important role in the construction of local identity and the specific taste of place. By comparing the case of Raduil and Smilyan beans, the authors seek answers to the questions: how a plant crop that has not been the subject of intense cultivation and extensive commercialization becomes a value and is permanently associated with the name of a settlement (area), how this happens in time, what are the main social actors in the process, which are the economic and socio-cultural preconditions, how the valorisation of certain local plant resources is expressed in cultural forms and can be an incentive for activating local communities and economic revival of the studied areas. The bio-cultural dimensions of beans in Smilyan and Raduil and the process of evaluation of these food plants are the main threads in the study.

Доброволчеството в спорта – мощен фактор за интеграция, подобряване на образованието и устойчивото развитие

Author(s): Albena Dimitrova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2019

The article is devoted to the positive trends and problems of volunteer initiatives in sport among learners. Based on an in-depth analysis of the current system of volunteering, the basic requirements for achieving a qualitatively new approach based on the following objectives are outlined: the formation of a targeted policy in the field of volunteering as a whole and in particular in sport, which contributes to the achievement quality results according to the National Strategy for Development of Physical Education and Sport in the Republic of Bulgaria 2012 – 2022 and the European framework programs; socio-economic impact of including learners in sport events as volunteers of their results and benefits; development of sports organizations and institutions as equal partners. This article is based on official documents, as well as the monitoring of volunteer sports events. A specific proposal for improving the system has been made.

Идеология за масова употреба: носталгията и ревитализацията на вещите от всекидневието на близкото минало

Author(s): Nikolay Papuchiev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2018

The focus of the article is on the recent past – the era of socialism, and especially on the goods for mass consumption. In spite of the fact that the objects are not ideologically burdened, their nowadays’ fate is very interesting – they are one of the main transmitters of the feeling of nostalgia about a simpler and better life in the past. No more part of people’s style of living, they are nevertheless rich in personal memories. Such presence provokes a lot of reminiscences and imaginations about slow and safe but already irrevocably lost life. Exploiting nostalgic feelings among big groups in Bulgarian society, nowadays market actors create special places full of objects of the recent past. Two of them – Raketa restaurant and Com.bar in the centre of the city of Sofia are very representative places for entertainment. This is the reason they to be on the focus of the anthropological fieldwork.

Правозащитници и природозащитници в медиен контекст

Author(s): Maria Deenitchina / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2019

Human rights defenders and environmentalists can be found in media content depending on the context which is influenced by different factors. We analyze 4 newspapers, oriented in different directions and showing different attitude towards the problems. Their implications may be hidden or more obvious and the role of the journalist in this field is of great importance. The final aim of the research is to find out if presenting of the problems is in public interest or it is influenced by different reasons.

Трансграничен изследователски проект „По пътя на българските градинари“

Author(s): Yordan Tyutyunkov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2019

Review

Measuring feminisation of urban poverty among domestic workers in Delhi, India

Author(s): Sanjay CHOPRA / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2020

Poverty affects women more forcefully causing increased proportion as well as types of deprivations, a phenomenon called feminisation of poverty. Migration of rural poor to cities causes problems of its own, more so for the women. They come to cities in a bid to escape from rural unemployment and deprivation but lead insecure lives in the cities, exemplified by the urban domestic helps. The co-existence of feminisation and urbanisation of poverty affects the women and their families, particularly children, especially the girl child, who begins to experience deprivations in all its forms from a tender age. These reduced circumstances thus perpetuate across generations of poor urban women and entrap them deep in poverty.The objectives of this study are two-fold. Scientific literature is scanned for indicators used to study feminization of poverty and the validity of these indicators in the given context is examined. Secondly, the study aims to explore the most relevant indicators through direct interaction with the target population. Existing literature on feminized poverty is replete with studies that have used household as the unit of observation. While there are strong justifications for the choice, this approach is unable to address the intra-household inequalities. This study therefore employs the individual woman domestic worker as the unit of observation. The survey method, using questionnaire is employed for collecting the primary data.

Към ранната история на едно българско книжовно средище: възникване и развитие на Аджар според османски данъчни регистри от XVII век

Author(s): Krastyo Yordanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2020

An attempt to throw light on the early history of Adzhar village,today’s Svezhen, based mainly on four unpublished Ottoman tax registers, is made in the article. The author claims that the earliest documents discovered so far about the existence of Adzhar as a settlement date from the first decades of the XVII century. The village was first mentioned on the pages of an abridged avarız-register from the years 1621 – 1622. Data about the presence of large summer pastures and sheepfolds in the region of Sarnena Sredna Gora Mountain as early as the 16th century show that the foundation of the village can be related to the good conditions for livestock breeding of a peaceful place in the depths of the mountain. It is very likely that part of the inhabitants of Adzhar had been dzheleps, who bred sheep and other cattle for the food needs of the big cities, the army and the Sultan’s Palace. Asa result, raw materials including sheep wool and sheepskins led to the development of a number of crafts.The Orthodox Bulgarian population of Adzhar grew rapidly. Due to the demographic and economic development, a significant literary centre was created there for transcribing and illustrating liturgical books. A church with two priests was built in the village. There is information that in the second half of the 17th century sheep-breeding, crafts such as goat hair processing (mutafcılık) and tailoring, as well as trade and transportation of goods (in exchange of payment – kiracılık)developed in Adzhar.

По пътя на римските императори и дунавския път на виното – в търсене на местно наследство

Author(s): Nikolay Nenov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2019

The text presents the incorporation in public activities and research paradigms of Russe museum related to the European cultural route “The Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route”, which turns to be a catalyst of the change in the way of presentation and sharing of heritage in the region. The observations are focused on the historical reconstruction “Roman market” establishing itself as a festival with a focus on pre-modern food. The author follows the images of the Roman fortress, the variants of museum pedagogics, the digitalization and the 3D printing of artefacts, which certify the narration about the past throughout their testimony.The local feasts strengthen local memory and unite communities. They also build social and cultural ties to the place where they regularly happen.The cultural route is important for the processes, which the Rousse museum tries to guide while searching to form of knowledge and compassion on the themes connected to local heritage.

Ways for assessment of the potential for development of the so called “smart cities”

Author(s): Yana Stoencheva / Language(s): English Issue: 02/2020

The objective of the present article is to discuss and explore relevant indicators for assessing the possibilities for the realisation of the concept of “smart cities”. Therefore, as a characteristic of primary importance regarding the potential and the expected benefits from the realisation of the “smart cities” concept, we have highlighted the level of urbanization. Supplied and analysed is data about the urban population within the European Union, by country, as well as data about the regions around Bulgaria. As a second most significant indicator is singled out the access to financial resources, which are measured by GDP per capita of the population, as well as employment rates. Thirdly we have singled out a group of indicators which assess the level of technological advancement of a population.

THE DIDACTIC DIMENSION OF THE TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS WITHIN THE LESSONS AIMED AT ORGANIZING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Author(s): Marius-Costel Eşi / Language(s): English Issue: 13/2020

One of the important components considered in this research approach is given by the study on teaching-learning strategies, methods and techniques in the lessons aimed at organizing economic activities. It is understood that such a topic takes into account, on the one hand, a series of aspects related to an economic issue, and on the other hand, issues of a methodological / didactic nature found in the teaching-learning-assessment activity. At the same time, the approach that is intended to be highlighted reflects the practical-theoretical dimension of such a possible approach in class.Under these conditions, the research approach assumed involves an analysis focused, on the one hand, on the theoretical aspects related to the approached topic, and on the other hand, on the conceptual-theoretical operationalization with practical implications. In other words, there is an interest in valorizing and capitalizing on the contents approached both theoretically and practically. Therefore, it is considered that we will analyze, from a theoretical and pragmatic perspective, the strategies, methods and teaching-learning techniques at the level of economic-themed classes, also revealing the impact it has in the economic-educational dimension.

Уеб радио 2014-2017: групови адреси и индивидуални обръщения

Author(s): Snezhana Popova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2018

The text presents Bulgarian language web radio based on research in 2014 and 2017. It touches on highlights of its development after the first web radios appeared at the beginning of the new century. The article studies the changes in practices of listening portals. It compares data on web radio stations: number, distribution by format and address. It identifies trends: development of music web radios toward alternative group offers, sustainability of radios of idea-based communities, establishment of the 'marketing' radio, emergence of web radio community initiatives.

Колко е важно да бъдеш честен. Към историята на българската икономическа култура 1879 – 1944 г.

Author(s): Pencho D. Penchev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2020

The article presents an analysis of honesty as an important aspect of the Bulgarian economic culture. The focus is on the transition from the Bulgarian Revival to the nation state and the subsequent period 1879 – 1944. The main conclusions are synthesized in two hypotheses. The first is that the transition from Ottoman rule to an independent nation-state is associated with a decline of honesty and integrity in economic life. The second hypothesis points to the low level of honesty and mutual trust in relations between economic agents on the one hand and between economic agents and the state on the other as one of the important reasons for the lack of visible and long-lasting economic success in Bulgaria during the period 1879 – 1944.

Задграничното строителство на „Техноекспортстрой“ през 60-те – 80-те години на ХХ в.

Author(s): Irina Grigorova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 6/2020

Technoexportstroy has long been publicly considered as an extraordinary successful company, with a high contribution to the social and economic progress of the developing countries recently liberated from their colonial or mandate status, as well as a provider of generous foreign currency incomes to the state treasury. This romantic image has been sustained by Todor Zhivkov public statements, too. This paper aims to explore the scale and profitability of the company’s performance, the opportunities it had and whether the latter led to breakthroughs or losses, the extent to which the reported results were due to an independent initiative and activity. In order to achieve these goals, a critical analysis has been performed, comparing the data in the preserved archival documents of the organization with those of the BCP leadership, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, as well as with the information in some foreign specialized sources, which, also based on their economic interest in the developing countries, had been publishing up-to date information about the contracts signed for the construction of industrial sites.

Национален пазар преди националната държава. Има ли български национален пазар преди Освобождението от 1878 г.?

Author(s): Ivan Roussev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2020

The article presents arguments in support of the claim that there was a process of integration on the Bulgarian national market even before the Liberation of1878 and that this process was more and more noticeable in the 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, and 1870s. The research methodology is based on data from the business history of the Bulgarian Revival, including my own explorations on the emergence of commercial companies as a manifestation of commercial modernity in the Bulgarian economic area during the era as well as on the trade networks established by them. The two largest companies, “Evlogiy and Hristo Georgievi” and “Hristo P. Tapchileshtov”, stand out as de facto legitimizers of the Bulgarian national market in the 1850s, 1860s, and 1870s. They represent two important Bulgarian national economic institutions, a state before the state in the economic sphere. Other larger or not so large commercial companies and the trade networks established by them also contributed to the process of integration of the Bulgarian national market: “ Robevi Brothers”, “Geshovi Brothers”, “Komsievi Brothers”, “Karaminkovi Brothers”, “Papazoglu Brothers”, “N. Minchoolu & E. Selveli and friends ”,“Stancho Arnaudov and son”,“Georgi Hadjidraganov”, “The Commercial Company in Kotel” and others. The article provides summary information about these companies, about their trade networks in the Bulgarian lands and abroad, about the movements of their capital, etc. The article compares the similar national processes in the economic and political development of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire in the nineteenth century. According to a study published in 2012 (Schulze & Wolf, 2012), in late nineteenth-century Austria-Hungary there was an asymmetric intra-imperial integration, which led to the emergence of national markets within the various ethnolinguistic communities of the country. The same process took place in the Ottoman Empire earlier, already in the first half and the middle of the same century, under specific conditions facilitating the integration of separate national markets, including the formation of the Bulgarian market. In the third quarter of the nineteenth century, the Bulgarian Revival elite – economic, cultural, and political – gradually developed the idea of a Bulgarian national market and initiated some original projects with in this market. Another approach in studying the topic is also possible – tracking and comparing the movement of prices of major types of goods in smaller or larger areas of the Balkans and the Ottoman Empire, including the Bulgarian ethnic territory during this period. There is no doubt that serious future efforts on the part of a wider circle of researchers are needed, but this cannot happen if the discussion is not opened, if the topic of the emergence of the Bulgarian national market has not been drawn to attention. This article aims to provoke the interest of researchers on the topic.