1989: Szempontok a rendszerváltás globális politikai gazdaságtanához

Author(s): Márk Áron Éber,Ágnes Gagyi,Tamás Gerocs,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.

A Comparative Study of Child Welfare in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina

Author(s): Ana M. Gavrilovic,Aleksandar L. Jugovic / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2012

The aim of this paper is to analyze, through comparative perspective, current systems of child welfare in transitional societies of the Southeast Europe: Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. In this paper we used historical, comparative and statistic method. Socio- political characteristics of these states are: mutual history of child welfare systems, transitional metamorphosis of society and social policy, European perspectives and the need for upgraded child welfare. Gavrilovics point out the common past of child welfare systems of these states. In the main part of this work comparative methods are used to analyze current characteristics of child welfare in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia- Herzegovina. Family and child support measures are taken into account, with special emphasis on child maintenance, maternity and parental leave and services of specialized children’s institutions. Child welfare is analyzed in the context of transitional changes that the South- east European states are undergoing. Analysis of the three basic forms of financial support of families with children showed that transitional changes substantially reduced the number of children benefiting from child maintenance and even more reduced its amount. Maternity leave is recognized as an important measure in family and population policy in all three states, but there are lack of means, compensation amount is under constant pressure to be lowered.

A Critical View to European Union as a Cosmopolitan Democracy: From an Outsider’s View

Author(s): Seyed Vahid Karimi / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

European Union is an advance institution. There is no other community to mach its political, economic and international weight. But as an outsider, I do not find it as a cosmopolitan democracy. There are two internal as well as one international reason to prove my argument. First of all there are two schools of thought within the EU, regarding its future direction. There are forces who believe that the political direction of the EU must be Atlantis. There are others who believe that the European Union must, in its political thinking, remain European minded, separate from whatever the American guideline is. The United Kingdom and its allies within European Union support the Atlantis view, where the French and its orbit allies believe that the European Union must be European. So, that means that the liberal forces are put versus the social welfare minded, within the European Union. The second critical view is with regard to the institution itself. The selection of the commission is doubtful, if the stronger and more powerful members of the European Union have the upper hand in its selection. The European Parliament is paralyzed in intervening over agricultural budget. The power of members by ‘qualify majority voting’ - QMV, makes collaboration among the stronger and more powerful members of the EU much easier.

A PROPOSAL FOR INCORPORATING LABOR UTILIZATION FRAMEWORKS INTO THE FORMAL LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Author(s): Hee-Young Shin / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2016

The standard labor force statistics has been widely used as an important indicator of the overall health of an economy, and both economists and economic policy makers in the U.S. have been uncritically relying on the single official unemployment rate whenever they propose and make an important policy decision. The goal of this paper is to revisit some of the limitations in the US formal labor force statistics and propose to incorporate a series of measures for analyzing a certain quality aspect of employment into the government’s formal labor force statistics. The conventional definitions and categories used by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) have many limitations, and are of no use at all in capturing quality aspects of employment. After examining some of these problems, the paper introduces and proposes the International Labor Office (ILO)’s labor (under-)utilization framework to overcome these problems. The labor utilization framework adopted in the ILO’s international conferences emphasizes the importance of capturing quality aspects of labor utilization and introduces the concept of income-, time-, and skill-related labor underutilization. The survey in this paper shows that the ILO’s labor utilization framework is broader in scope and much more consistent in analyzing the labor market performance. The framework also provides better insights into analyzing the labor market dynamics than any other formal labor force statistical frameworks, including the US BLS’s standard labor force statistics. Even though the ILO’s labor utilization framework is in no way a complete solution to the task of analyzing the capitalist labor market dynamics and of constantly improving the government’s labor force statistics, it is far more superior to the conventional unemployment rate and any other narrowly defined labor force statistics. Thus, it is urged that the US BLS should seriously consider incorporating labor utilization framework into its formal labor force statistics.

A Soldier’s State? Veterans and the Welfare Regime in Croatia

Author(s): Danijela Dolenec / Language(s): English / Issue: 14/2017

The paper theorizes about the type of welfare state that emerged in Croatia post-1990, focusing specifically on ways in which the evolution of welfare programmes for veterans, and the gradual strengthening of veteran organizations as pivotal political actors, impacted its morphology. Croatia currently has a population of around 500,000 registered veterans, which in the mid-1990 started organizing into powerful organizations. Partly in response to this mobilization, from 1994 onwards HDZ governments created a comprehensive institutional architecture of entitlements for veterans, instituting durable material linkages alongside symbolic ties to this population. The prominence of veterans as a pivotal political actor has impacted the development of the welfare regime in Croatia. Strong reliance on the family for a broad range of care work is the central feature Croatia shares with other conservative welfare regimes, while the clientelist character of state-society relations relates it specifically to their Southern variant. Distinctly, the "compensatory" character of welfare programmes, which is characteristic of veteran programmes, and of family policy in Croatia generally, creates contradictory impulses. What seems to have emerged is a specific clientelist variant of a conservative welfare regime, sustained by veteran mobilizations, while at the same time eroded by the dependency, resentment and a myriad of other social impacts of these programmes. Future research on the welfare state in Croatia will hopefully further explore the arguments that this paper brings forward.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Treatment Cost Estimation in Selected Health Care Units in Poland – Pilot Survey Results

Author(s): Agnieszka Maciag / Language(s): Croatian / Issue: 1/2010

Background: The circulatory system diseases are one of biggest health problems which still pose a fundamental cause of mortality in developed countries. Among those illnesses important place takes myocardial ischemia. Aim: The main purpose of this article is to evaluate hospitalization costs of a patient with acute coronary syndrome in health care units conducting diagnostic and surgery (coronarography and PTCA) as well as in health centres, where patients are treated exclusively pharmacologically. Methods: There has been prepared and used author's individual questionnaire enabling estimation of both fixed and variable treatment costs per patient. In economic analysis there have been used micro-costing principle, defining every element of used supplies and calculating unit cost. Results: The analysis has shown that fixed costs of one hospitalized patient in a clinic equipped in hemodynamics laboratory are only 33% of all costs. In hospitals which did not carry out surgeries, variable costs (e.g. medicines) were respectively lower, whereas fixed costs were up to 72% of total treatment costs. A great impact on level of costs had two risk factors: smoking tobacco and hypercholesterolemia. Conclusions: Increasing number of carried out angioplasty, raises total treatment costs of acute coronary syndrome. Over half of all hospitalization costs of one patient with myocardial ischemia in hospitals not equipped in hemodynamics laboratories determines for fixed costs.

Aktualne problemy diagnostyki preimplantacyjnej w kontekście dążeń rodziców do realizacji projektu rodzicielskiego

Author(s): Kinga Baczyk-Rozwadowska / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 22/2017

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is designed to assist in conception in cases where a background of serious hereditary disease exists in one or both partners and it is seen necessary to screen out embryos that may be carrying chromosomal or genetic abnormalities. Therefore, and regardless of whether a state of infertility otherwise prevails, the procedure may only be lawfully applied to alleviate the risk of transmitting specific genetic disorders to a child. In practice, PGD raises many ethical objections as a method which – as doctrine says – commodifies reproduction and enables the unwanted practice of positive eugenics (selection of embryos of a particular sex or one bearing certain qualities). Parents may be prone to choose the features of their future child and decide, by means of PGD, to produce a baby of a certain sex, genetic make-up or tissue match for a living sibling. The legislator should therefore intervene and establish a normative framework for the practice of PGD and maintain continuous control over its application to prevent abuse of the child’s welfare.

AKTYWIZACJA ZAWODOWA PRZEZ URYNKOWIENIE. LUDZIE DLA INSTYTUCJI CZY INSTYTUCJE DLA LUDZI (NA PRZYKŁADZIE AKTYWIZACJI ZAWODOWEJ NIEPEŁNOSPRAWNYCH ABSOLWENTÓW SZKÓŁ WYŻSZYCH)

Author(s): Ewa Giermanowska,Mariola Raclaw / Language(s): English / Issue: 4/2016

Poland is a country with very low labour force participation among people with disabilities. On the one hand, changes are visible in the attitudes and behaviour of people with disabilities, especially students and graduates who aim to have a professional career. On the other hand, one can observe a process of gradual withdrawal of families from caring and active support of the disabled. This situation demands certain compensatory measures such us intensification of engagement of relevant institutions and seeking alternative ways of providing care and support. The Polish system of occupational development services for the disabled is complicated and nontransparent for the beneficiaries. It is also inadequate for the growing professional aspirations of people with disabilities. Employees of support institutions tend to follow long-standing routines and patterns of behaviour defined by formal rules, rather than adjusting to the individual needs of the disabled and the changing labour market. Commercialisation of support institutions, within the framework of the new paradigm of social policy, has contributed to economisation of support institutions by focusing on benefits and profits to the institution, rather than the professional development of disabled people. Thus, we have an unfinished process of labour emancipation of disabled university graduates who cannot satisfy their career aspirations.

Aktywne formy przeciwdziałania wykluczeniu społecznemu

Author(s): Marta Danecka / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 47/2016

The article touched a problem of social exclusion in the context of the return to the labor market. The starting point is the lack of activation of people excluded by social assistance. It also stresses the side effects experienced by its protégés: passivity, inheritance lifestyle based on social benefits and lack of motivation to integrate with the local community.The guidelines for the directions of social policies within the EU development model meant that social policy, in particular the so-called activation policy seeks methods to counteract these pathologies. By incorporating social economy entities and non-governmental sector to carry out tasks at the level of social assistance it was given the chance to depart from treating social assistance as an institution of social transfers.Created multisectorial social assistance is based on three pillars: welfare (traditional), pro-employment and reintegration, which is implemented through the creation of social employment institutions. The new system involves conditioning aid. The article presents the basic data ofthe social employment and its beneficiaries. It should be noted that the main problem in the process of activation of the long-term unemployed is very low effectiveness and a very marginal effect of their employment after completing the course. This issue is shown from two perspectives: quantitative – with statistical indicators and qualitative – determination motivation to undertake the activity. There is a statistical picture of two indicators: the completion of training and economic independence. The qualitative perspective is based on the results of surveys dedicated to the theme of client’s attitudes to social and economic activation and their work in the future.

ALBANIANS AND THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL MODEL. Public Administration in Albania: Between Politics and Citizens

Author(s): Elona Dhëmbo / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2014

Albanians and the European Social Model. Towards a redefinition of the social contract

Author(s): Sashenka Lleshaj,Alba Çela / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2014

At the beginning of the year 2014 the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung brought into life, together with leading experts of six distinguished organizations and Think Tanks, a long term project. The aim of this project is to create and stimulate a political and social discussion in Albania about the EU Integration. The starting point of the contemplation was the perspective that Albania desires to be soon a full EU member, with an economic and social developed society. More than 80% of the population aims at this goal. To reach it Albania must fulfil, inter alia, the minimum social standards of the EU ─ the so called European Social Model (ESM). The project-path is already part of its objective: active involvement of all actors in one common discourse. It is not about finding quick solutions or just an exchange of statements, it rather aims at developing and building up reciprocal trust. Otherwise stated: this endeavour tries, with this genre of public debates, to ameliorate the rapport of actors - Politics, administration and citizens - and to be conducive for a more efficient cooperation in the organization of a social and democratic society.

Ambulant sanctions as an alternative to imprisonment in the European Union

Author(s): Christine M. Graebsch,Sven-U. Burkhardt / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2014

The issue of imprisonment vs. alternative penalties has been debated in various European countries during the last decades, and ambulant sanctions have been heavily on the rise. Community sentences and other alternatives to imprisonment are regarded as modern instruments for the rehabilitation of offenders. The objective of the present study is to examine the scope of application of penalties without deprivation of liberty as compared to imprisonment as well as to identify promising practices of alternative criminal sanctioning in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain and Lithuania. As this study covers several European countries, the comparative perspective suggests itself nearly as a matter of course. In this connection, it seems reasonable to describe the existing ambulant sanctions of the different member states involved, taking into account their legal arrangement and their relation within the system of penal sanctions including their relation to the deprivation of liberty. It in addition appears sensible to describe and compare these ambulant sanctions with reference to their contribution to the re-socialisation or rehabilitation of those subjected to them as well as with special attention to the involvement of civil society in their execution. In a further step, promising practices in connection with ambulant sanctions could be highlighted which may be recommended for imitation by other member states. Such an approach proves to be impossible for multiple reasons, though, and it would be inadequate just to make such an attempt. There are exemplary references to ambulant sanctions in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Lithuania and Spain. This is due to the fact that scientists from these countries have taken part in the realisation of this project but not necessarily because of specific outstanding features of their sanction systems in comparison with other member states.

Analiza socijalne politike za praksu / u praksi – studija slučaja Srbije

Author(s): Natalija Perišic / Language(s): Serbian / Issue: 2/2017

(Re)newed emphasis on policy analysis worldwide has had its implications in Serbia, especially potentiated by unfinished transition of its social policy. Theoretical perspectives on policy analysis and their adaptations differ among the countries, however, certain common elements of the policy analysis logic can be found. Also, a description of the activities of a policy analyst can be agreed upon, to serve as guidance, for the purpose of its comparing with the actual social policy analysis practice. The experience in social policy analysis in Serbia is presented within the historical context.

Anti-Corruption Reloaded: Assessment of Southeast Europe

Author(s): / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2014

Corruption in Southeast Europe has been in the news, in the focus of public debate, and on the policy agenda of national and international institutions so often and for so long that its scrutiny hardly needs to be justified. It is precisely because it has proven to be such an intractable issue that innovative approaches to its understanding – and hence its reduction – are warranted. The EU accession prospects for the countries in the region – though distant – provide an enabling framework for action but it is local stakeholders, and in particular civil society who can bring about sustained progress in anti-corruption. The Southeast Europe Leadership for Development and Integrity (SELDI) has made the in-depth diagnosing and understanding of corruption and governance gaps in the region one of its main priorities, as a requisite condition for its advocacy of knowledge-driven anticorruption policies. This SELDI report fits in the development and implementation framework of the emerging regional anticorruption policy and infrastructure as exemplified by the SEE2020 Strategy’s Governance Pillar run by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative. Despite some important achievements – mostly with respect to the stabilisation of democratic institutions, the adoption of laws in key anticorruption areas, a reduction in petty bribery and growing public intolerance of corruption – anticorruption and good governance reforms are not consolidated, corruption among elected politicians and judges seems to be increasing and the enforcement of anticorruption legislation is haphazard. Anticorruption policies and institutions in the region will benefit immensely from the adoption of regular and accurate victimisation-survey based tool for measuring corruption and the rate of progress in good governance, similar to the special Eurobarometer on anticorruption, UNODC’s SEE monitoring of corruption and organised crime, and the Corruption Monitoring System employed by this report.

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN MACEDONIA AND MEASURES TO REDUCE/CONTROL ITS DEVELOPMENT

Author(s): Golubinka Boshevska,Nikola Panovski / Language(s): English / Issue: 20/2015

Around the Bloc: A Rare Bright Spot in Ukraine’s Fight Against Corruption

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English / Issue: 08/30/2016

Health Ministry buoyed by better procurement system, but electronic asset declaration hits a snag.

Around the Bloc: At Inauguration, Putin Pledges Well-Being Amid Stormy Times

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English / Issue: 05/08/2018

Opposition leader Navalny arrested in weekend protests against the four-term Russian president.

Around the Bloc: Bosnia’s Veterans and Victims Fight for Compensation

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English / Issue: 03/06/2018

War veterans block roads to demand higher benefits from a state that claims it can’t afford it.

Around the Bloc: Concern Mounts for Nadia Savchenko

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English / Issue: 03/15/2016

Ukrainian pilot’s trial in Russia described as ‘farce’ by the EU, and a US diplomat.

Around the Bloc: Cossacks Deny Assault on Navalny Group

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English / Issue: 05/24/2016

Incident comes days after police in southern Russia detained the opposition leader in an anti-terrorist operation.