(De)legitimation of Power of Agency. A Multimodal Critical Analysis of Social Practices during COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania

Author(s): Camelia Cmeciu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a real challenge to national and international authorities, bringing social and ideological implications. The shift from urgency to action and an appropriate message tailoring are essential in such a sanitary crisis. This article presents a multimodal critical discourse analysis of the Facebook posts of the Romanian Ministry of Health and of the online users’ comments. The aim of the study is to examine how the Romanian authority and citizens use semiotic resources (multimodal texts) in order to give meaning and make meaning of the social practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings reveal that the Romanian authority mainly focused its messages on (de)legitimizing the actions of various abstract participants in an information campaign meant to counter fake news. The salience of behavioural processes-asinstructions highlighted a reduced agency of the Ministry of Health and an increased agency for Romanian citizens. The online users employed polarization as a discursive strategy to legitimate the Romanian authority’s calls-to-action that challenge the conservative liberalism ideology of the government and to delegitimate the tardiness of these actions.

(Ne)delání rodinné politiky v České republice

Author(s): Linda Sokačová / Language(s): Czech Publication Year: 0

0 MOGUĆNOSTIMA MERENJA DRUŠTVENOG RAZVOJA

Author(s): Novak Janković / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1-2/1981

The author considers the conception of the indicators of social welfare and the procedure of getting to the linear scale for measuring it. The author concludes that practical and principal advantages of this method cannot be achived without same sacrifice- These sacrifice are reffered on the objectivity and universality of the analyse. Important decisions for the analyse, that are concerning the choice, evaluations and aggregations of diffemet partial indicators, depend mostly on the ubjective estimation of the investigator.

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.

2000’li Yillarda Çocuk Koruma Sistemi İçinde Bakim Hizmetlerinin Genel Görünümü

Author(s): Şeyda Yildirim / Language(s): Turkish Issue: 01/2017

It is possible to say that the child care system has been in a constant change in Turkey in the last century. With the establishment of Social Services and Child Protection Institution in 1983, the services were combined under the umbrella of a single institution. In this process, it is seen that activities to keep children in institutional care were focused on. However, after 2000s, with an important perspective change, Social Services and Child Protection Institution focused on keeping the children under family care. In addition, alternative care services have been created in order to decrease the negative effects of institutional care on children. In this study, it is aimed to focus on the change and development process that took place legally and institutionally in child care systems in 2000s with a critical perspective. In the scope of this study, both the 5395 Child Protection Law and the child protection services within the construction of Social Services and Child Protection Institution and child care services in the process of establishment of Family and Social Policies Ministry are discussed, in regard to statistical data.

21. Yüzyılda Caydırma Teorisi ve Pratiğinin Değişimi

Author(s): Oktay Bingöl / Language(s): Turkish Issue: 1/2021

Deterrence had developed in the Cold War period and was based on the use of nuclear and strategic conventional weapons. Realist security conception in international relations have resulted in the development of the classical deterrence theory in the context of the rational decision-making mechanism and the linear escalation model. The explanatory power of the theory was relatively higher in the Cold War period, but remained insufficient after the Cold War. The characteristics of 21. Century strategic environment which hybridized in terms of the actors, topics, means and strategies require new perspectives. In this article, the necessity of a non-linear deterrence is discussed and its main points are outlined.

3.000 razloga

Author(s): Dejan Ilić / Language(s): Serbian

Pošto smo videli učinak obećanja da će sa tri hiljade dinara biti nagrađen svako ko se vakcinisao, ostaje nam da podvučemo crtu. Dva su moguća stava prema ovoj meri: možemo je videti kao ispravnu, u skladu s geslom da cilj opravdava sredstvo; i možemo je odbaciti kao neprihvatljivu jer dodatno korumpira ionako iskvarenu političku zajednicu.

3.000,00 neto

Author(s): Dejan Ilić / Language(s): Serbian

Ako je „jedini“ put da ponovo živimo normalno, kako to stoji u saopštenju vlade, zašto vakcinacija nije obavezna? Ne samo što se usteže da iskoristi moć i ako treba pod prinudom vakciniše sve žitelje Srbije, vlada očito neće ni barem lekare i druge zdravstvene radnike da obaveže da prime vakcinu. Umesto da prihvati odgovornost za „jedini“ put, čvrsto uverena da je baš tako, da postoji samo taj „jedan“ put, ona se odriče od odgovornost i svaljuje je na leđa žitelja Srbije.

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

Author(s): Ana M. Gavrilović,Aleksandar L. Jugović / 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 e zvogëlon Traktati i Lisbonës rolin e Shtetit për një Politikë të Jashtme të përbashkët?

Author(s): Eglantina Golemi,Erjona Canaj / Language(s): Albanian Issue: 13/2014

Politika e Jashtme e Përbashkët e BE-së është, pa dyshim, kryefjala dhe njëkohësisht një nga sfidat e BE-së në ditët e sotme. Vendimet që merren apo ndryshimet që bëhen në këtë drejtim, kanë një impakt të drejtpërdrejtë në imazhin dhe rolin e BE-së si faktor ndërkombëtar. BE-ja vepron në katër fusha të politikës së jashtme: I) politika e përbashkët tregtare; II) politika e asociimit, partneritetit, bashkëpunimit dhe fqinjësisë; III) zhvillimi, bashkëpunimi teknik dhe ndihma humanitare si dhe IV) dimensioni i jashtëm i politikave të tjera të brendshme. Në këtë studim synohet të evidentohet nëse Traktati i Lisbonës ka ndikuar në uljen e rolit të shtetit për një politikë të jashtmë autonome, duke trajtuar si shembuj dy nga fushat kryesore të saj si politika e përbashkët tregtare dhe politika e zhvillimit, bashkëpunimit teknik dhe ndihmës humanitare. Nëse politika e përbashkët tregtare tashmë është kompetencë ekslkuzive e Bashkimit Europian, politika për zhvillim, bashkëpunim teknik dhe ndihma humanitare janë kompetencë konkurruese midis Shteteve Anëtare dhe BE-së. Ekskluziviteti u përdor nga Traktati si mjet ligjor me anë të të cilit vërtetohet rënia e rolit të shtetit në një politikë të jashtme autonome, por dhe kompetencat e përbashkëta po sfidojnë hapur praktikën ligjore për nga funksionimi i tyre. Politika e Jashtme e Përbashkët sot përbën një sfidë të vërtetë të politikës botërore.

A home is more than a roof over your head: Post-prison reintegration challenges in Austria

Author(s): Doris Schartmueller / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

Life after prison can pose challenges for the formerly incarcerated, their families, and wider communities. This research studies Austria where probation services are either mandated by the court or sought voluntarily after prison. Through semi-structured interviews with formerly incarcerated individuals, reintegration experiences from their perspectives are examined. The narratives emphasized social factors that either assuage or complicate life after prison. The main factors addressed were stable housing, the maintaining and (re)building of relationships, and employment. Overall, a lack of stable housing appeared to complicate life after prison the most and also negatively affected relationships and employment. For some, life after prison was further exacerbated by immigration status and a perceived stigma related to the nature of one’s convictions. This study shows the importance of working towards a better understanding of the social context individuals are released into after prison to better meet their individual needs and to counteract recidivism.

A lakhatási válságra adott közösségi válaszok

Bérlői lakásszövetkezetek Magyarországon?

Author(s): Csaba Jelinek,Zsuzsanna Pósfai / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 27/2020

Since the crisis of 2008, housing is yet again and increasingly becoming a form of profitable financial investment. This tends to dominate over the claim that each person has the need and the right to access affordable, good quality housing. Across the globe this tendency is intensified by state policies as well. However, bottom-up initiatives organizing themselves for collective housing solutions are also gaining ground. These self-organized, „self-help” models open the possibility for economically vulnerable social groups to support each other in finding solutions for their housing problems, and also to collectively access resources that would individually be impossible to reach. This paper presents such an alternative housing solution, notably the model of rental-based housing cooperatives. Rental housing cooperatives are institutions organized in a bottom-up manner with the aim of providing affordable, good quality and stable housing for their members. We discuss two examples from Germany and from Uruguay for successful rental housing cooperative networks, which have existed for several decades. Finally, we present the steps which have been taken in the past years in Hungary and in the Eastern European region towards the establishment of such a model.

A novel approach for abdominal sonographic evaluation of the prostate, median lobe hypertrophy and huge prostatic hyperplasia

Author(s): Emrah Doğan,Uğur Taylan Bilgilisoy,Yelda Dere,Cenk Elibol / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

Background: The formula used for the calculation of prostate volume is roughly the three dimensions of prostate (L×W×H) multiplied by 0.52. Indeed, this is the formula for calculating the volume of a sphere. However, almost all of the papers on this topic describe the shape of the prostate as a pyramid. As the true prostate shape is a rhombohedral regular tetrahedron with a median lobe, a more effective calculation method is needed. Aim of the study: This paper aims to develop a different approach for sonographic measurement of the prostate through mathematical models. Case report: We present a 74-year-old patient with HPH and median lobe hypertrophy. Conclusions: The classical method is insufficient for accurate measurement in patients with median lobe hypertrophy. In prostates with median lobes, the measurement should be calculated as the median lobe volume plus the spheric prostate volume.

A POSSIBLE EURO-ATLANTIC COMPREHENSIVE MARITIME SECURITY MODEL

Author(s): Valentin Catalin Vlad / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This article aims to identify the existence, relevance and opportunity of a theoretical security through cooperation model based on the main concepts and theories of the security communities and the appreciation of universally recognized individual and collective values and freedom, in order ultimately to prove the relevance and opportunity of such a comprehensive maritime security model that could be adopted and developed at Euro-Atlantic maritime space as part of the complex process of ensuring regional and international maritime security.The adoption of a comprehensive maritime security through cooperation model centered on ensuring individual and collective security, stability and prosperity is the key element for the legitimacy, credibility and efficiency of the Euro-Atlantic maritime strategies in relation to international treaties, challenges and threats to international maritime security and last but not least with the peculiarities and characteristics of international maritime basins.

A POSSIBLE ROMANIAN-AMERICAN NAVAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Author(s): Ioan Crăciun,Auraș Liviu COMAN / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

How can the United States increase the responsiveness of US forces to reinforce the South-Eastern NATO flank in the Black Sea? Geopolitical changes have led to calls for the necessity to update the Montreux Convention. These restrictions can be avoided in this situation if the US would rent or lease at a reasonable price warships to the Romanian Navy that fly the Romanian flag, and are operated by a Romanian-American crew. Montreux Convention rules may be avoided by building an innovative partnership, a solid and reliable agreement between US Navy and Romanian Navy. Subsequently, a Multinational Task Group composed of American, Romanian, and Black Sea littoral countries’ ships can be consolidated. The result will be beneficial to the US, NATO, EU, and Black Sea countries.This naval partnership has to be created to support Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Deveselu, to rebuild a military and security power in the region, and change the balance of power.

A PROPOSAL FOCUSED ON A METHOD FOR THE CALCULATION OF THE CONVERGENCE OF THE TWO BANKS OF THE DNIESTR

Author(s): Eugen Străuţiu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2018

Following the armed conflict in 1992, the Moldovan society, on the left bank of the Dniester broke, from a political and administrative point of view, proclaiming itself a separate state under the name "The Moldovan Dniester Republic" – which is unrecognized until today at an international level.The negotiation process, started in 1992, did not produce significant convergence effects - although issues related to the everyday life of the population are resolved today at a faster pace than ever before.The present article aims at investigating, principally and (as much as possible) quantitatively, to what extent the political divergence has evolved over two decades and a half, and to what extent it finds itself in economic, military and civil society divergences. In conclusion, we will try to evaluate the chances of a convergence process between the two banks of the Dniester in the near future.

A qualitative study of UNHCR’s employment and professional development programmes for refugees

Author(s): Péter Karácsony,Sara Shaltout / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

The purpose of this study was to review literature on career management for refugees and identify the challenges refugees face in terms of crafting a successful career. The paper further examined career management and professional development programmes UNHCR offers to refugees to make recommendations to improve them in alignment with organizational and refugees’ needs. Semi-structured interviews were used in the qualitative research, the study population consisted of 18 individuals. Key findings suggest that UNHCR’s employment and education programmes are in high demand among the refugee community and they contribute to personal development and capacity building. However, by improving them and providing additional opportunities, the organization could make even better use of refugees’ skills and develop them to ensure their career growth. Moreover, the UN Refugee agency should serve as a good example for companies and organizations in employing and training forcibly displaced people.

A Research on Psycho-social Support and Future Expectations of the Syrian Female Asylum-Seekers Living in Turkey

Author(s): Ezgi Arslan,Elif Gökçearslan Çifci,Veli Duyan,Fulya Akgül Gök / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Migration is the phenomenon of people’s leaving their areas of residence definitely or temporarily due to a number of reasons (IOM, 2009). Even though the term migration primarily connotes the movement of a particular population from one location to another, migration has a structure that is much more extensive and deep-rooted than mere geographic replacement (Aksu & Sevil, 2010). Today, rapidly changing environmental, economic, political, and social structures lead individuals and groups to migrating to settle in different regions. Based on classifications using different criteria, we may talk of types such as voluntary migration, forced migration, permanent or temporary migration, transit migration, illegal migration, and chain migration (Mutluer, 2003; Gündüz 1996 cited in Ilgaz & Tuzcu 2005). In the literature, internal migration is identified as the population movement between areas within the borders of the country and external migration is identified as movements of geographic replacement occurring towards neighbouring countries or even beyond (Şahin, 2001).

A similar effect of volunteering and pensions on subjective wellbeing of elderly

Author(s): Adam Okulicz-Kozaryn,Leszek Morawski / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2021

We study the effect of pensions and volunteering on subjective wellbeing (SWB) of elderly using the latest wave 6 of Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). This is the first study to consider pensions and volunteering simultaneously as determinants of SWB among elderly. We find that the effect of volunteering on SWB is not much smaller or indeed about as large as that of pensions. The most SWB is associated with volunteering about every week, but there is already a substantial effect even if one volunteers only about every month. We also find that the higher the income or wealth, but not pension, the lower the effect of volunteering – there may be higher opportunity cost for richer people to engage in volunteering. High European pensions may be unsustainable in the long run – we argue that promotion of volunteering is one way to increase elderly’s subjective wellbeing amidst tightening budgets.