Osnove analize javnih politika

Author(s): Ivan Grdešić / Language(s): Croatian

Prije deset godina je objavljena moja knjiga Političko odlučivanje (Zagreb: Alinea, 1995.) proizašla iz moga interesa za policy-analizu i političke procese odlučivanja, odnosno, kao sažetak moje doktorske disertacije o policy-analizi, inovaciji i političkoj moći. Političko odlučivanje se bavi upravo time: procesima političkog odlučivanja, sadržajem pojedinih odlučivačkih faza, akterima koji u njima sudjeluju, teorijskim modelima korisnima za analizu i razumijevanje političke dinamike. Knjiga je preživjela niz generacija studenata ali je tek u posljednje vrijeme – afirmacijom studija javne politike, policy-analize, upravljanja i javnog dobra – postala korisna kao početni izvor policy-relevantnih teorija i znanja.Ova knjiga, Osnove analize javnih politika, je svojevrsni nastavak prve, ali se u ovoj pokazuje studentima i drugo lice politologije – primijenjena i analitička strana naše struke i znanosti.Riječ je o knjizi, udžbeniku, koji pokazuje osnovne i samo neke metode političke analize, koja se bavi istraživačkim i analitičkim postupcima za razumijevanje onoga što vlade rade i smislom toga rada. Metode slijede politički proces, njegovu dinamiku i kronologiju; kako odmiče politička odluka tako se mijenjaju primjerene metode i postupci – neki su primjereniji fazi inicijative, a neki fazi implementacije. Većina metoda pripada repertoaru društvenih znanosti, a sve su, pa i uobičajene metode anketnog istraživanja ili intervjua, prilagođene specifičnostima analize javnih politika. Knjiga je zamišljena kao udžbenik studentu i priručnik zamišljenom policy-analitičaru. Zbog toga ona ne govori samo o politologiji kao znanstvenoj disciplini nego i o politologiji kao o struci. Politolozi mogu u ovoj knjizi potražiti, a ja se nadam i naći, svoj lex artis. Prva dva poglavlja govore o policy-analizi, njezinim glavnim definicijskim parametrima i načinima primjenjivosti.

POLSKI MODEL ORGANIZACJI TYPU THINK TANK

Author(s): Piotr Zbieranek / Language(s): Polish

W Polsce sektor think tanków nie jest silny, ma jednak pewne cechy, które pobudzają jego żywotność. Dzieje się tak między innymi dzięki niezależności tych organizacji od partii politycznych czy wielkiego biznesu i wynikającej stąd ich wiarygodności w oczach społeczeństwa. Dziennikarze traktują model think tanku wręcz jak kamień filozoficzny posiadający magiczną moc odmiany polskiej debaty publicznej. Aby uzyskać dostateczne zasoby finansowe, think tanki działają w różnych dziedzinach i wciąż poszerzają zakres oferowanych „usług”, wychodząc poza tradycyjną aktywność analityczno-badawczą. Temat podjęty w tej publikacji zwraca uwagę oryginalnością i aktualnością. Piotr Zbieranek zestawia teoretyczne podejście do modelu organizacyjnego think tanku z praktycznym wymiarem tego zjawiska. Tworzy konstrukcję interdyscyplinarną, łączącą elementy socjologiczne z teoriami organizacji, elementy politologiczne z koncepcjami nauk zarządzania i elementy instytucjonalne z public policy. Autor traktuje te wzajemne zapożyczenia jako wartościowy wkład w wypracowanie metody opisu zjawiska do tej pory niezbadanego. Książka może przyczynić się do upowszechnienia i wykorzystania w innych analizach socjologicznych i politologicznych tematyki modelu organizacyjnego think tanków.

PROGNOZOWANIE I SYMULACJA MIĘDZYNARODOWA

Author(s): Mirosław Sułek / Language(s): Polish

Książka jest pierwszym w Polsce zaawansowanym podręcznikiem do przedmiotu „Prognozowanie i symulacje międzynarodowe”. Stosunki międzynarodowe mogą być ujmowane ogólnie i sektorowo. Autor opowiedział się za podejściem syntetycznym. Przychylił się tym samym do znanej tezy Raymonda Arona, według której najważniejszą cechą każdego systemu międzynarodowego jest układ sił. Od pewnego czasu znaczenie analiz stosunków międzynarodowych w kategoriach stosunków sił znowu rośnie. Przytoczone metody pomiaru potęgi jednostek politycznych służą modelowaniu różnorodnych układów stosunków międzynarodowych. Głównym adresatem książki są studenci stosunków międzynarodowych, ale może się ona okazać przydatna dla studentów i wykładowców innych kierunków, zwłaszcza politologii, ekonomii i nauk wojskowych.

Polityki publiczne. Wybrane zagadnienia teoretyczne i metodologiczne

Author(s): / Language(s): Polish

A collection of articles discussing the place and role of public policy sciences in Poland, that is systemic measures of the state intended to solve specific public problems. Interdisciplinary studies with sociological and political approach are focused on the theoretical and methodological perspectives of this field and directions of its development to date.

Поларизацијата како средство на популистичко владеење и како да се надмине

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Albanian,English,Macedonian

Cross-Border Cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine: Volume I: Impact of EU relations with Ukraine

Author(s): / Language(s): English

This publication is the first in a series of four publications that present the findings of the research project “Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine and Cross-border Cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine: Implications and Opportunities”. The research project was implemented by the Institute of Political Science at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Prešov with the support of the Slovak Research and Development Agency over the period of 2016 ‒ 2019 (project no. APVV-15-0369).

Cross-Border Cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine: Volume II: Impact of intergovernmental relations

Author(s): / Language(s): English

This publication is the second of a series of four publications that present the findings of the research project “Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine and Cross-border Cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine: Implications and Opportunities”. The research project was implemented by the Institute of Political Sciences at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Prešov and supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency overthe period of 2016 ‒ 2019 (project no. APVV-15-0369).This publication includes a set of studies that presents the findings of theresearch into the impact of intergovernmental relations between Slovakia and Ukraine, including national actors in both countries, on the development of cross-border cooperation between regional and local actors at a common border. The aim of the research was to find out how bilateral intergovernmental relations between Slovakia and Ukraine have been developing in terms of creating opportunities and/or obstacles for the development of cross-border cooperation at regional and local level.

Cross-Border Cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine: Volume III: Policies and practices of regional and local actors

Author(s): / Language(s): English

This publication represents the third of a series of four publications that present the findings of the research project “The Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine and Cross-border Cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine: Implications and Opportunities”. The research project was implemented by the Institute of Political Science at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Prešov and supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency over the period of 2016 ‒ 2019 (project no. APVV-15-0369). The set of studies presented in these publications offers analysis of the policies and preferences of regional and local actors who are putting questions of cross border cooperation into practice. Through this analysis, targeted specifically on the regional and local levels, it will be possible to identify, in addition toclear obstacles, the specific opportunities or challenges for Slovak-Ukrainian cross-border cooperation in accordance with the institutional framework of relations between Slovakia and Ukraine on the intergovernmental level and EU-Ukrainian relations on the supranational level. We have attempted to find answers to the question of whether regional actors at the level of the Prešov Self-Governing Region, the Košice Self-Governing Region and the Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine, as well as actors at local level (towns and municipalities, including institutions, businesses and non-governmentalagencies), are able, in terms of their capacities and capabilities, to fully utilize the structure of the political opportunity created by exogenous factors (onthe supranational and national level of relations of the EU and Slovakia with Ukraine) in order to establish mechanisms for cross-border cooperation along the common border. Research into this subject issue also includes (among other things) the essential need to assess existing experience and practice inthe area of cross-border cooperation on the part of regional and local actors on both sides of the border and to examine their perceptions, motivations orstrategies in more detail. Starting from this framework, the project’s research goal was focused on understanding the individual associations between how regional and local actors perceive cross-border cooperation and the border per se. In addition, it is important to know and understand how institutions and individual subjects on the third level mutually and separately prioritize the importance of cross-border cooperation, what influences their perceptions of cross-border cooperation and the border itself, as well as their perceptions of the inhabitants on the other side of the common border. At the same time this is a mapping of those strategies that actors on the regional and local level set for developing cross-border cooperation with partners across the border, as well as towards their own national governments with the aim of achieving the most favourable conditions for the development of cross-border cooperation on the Slovak-Ukrainian border.

Трансформація політичних інститутів України: проблеми теорії і практики

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Ukrainian

The monograph examines the theoretical and practical aspects of the transformation of the political institutions in modern Ukraine. The methodological and theoretical principals of the transformation of political institutions in Ukraine are revealed, the interaction study of political institutions and civic society at the present stage of democratic development is carried out, the impact on the transformation of the political institutions of electoral processes, mass media and other factors of socio-political changes is analysed. // The book is intended for scientists, politicians, and a wide range of readers.

Політичні ідентичності в сучасній Україні: міська громада Одеси

Author(s): Tatyana Bevz / Language(s): Ukrainian

The research is devoted to political identities of urban community in Odessa. On the basis of theoretical developments and empirical basis, the research deals with the political identities of urban community in Odessa through the parameters of space and time, geographic and demographic factors, organisation and functioning of local economy, foreign policy orientations, religious environment structure, forms / methods of memory policy, the resource potential of the society, language and cultural policy, the specifics of communication networks and due to the analysis of citizen participation in local self-governing authorities, activities of political parties, public organizations in election campaigns to central and local authorities.

Політичні ідентичності в сучасній Україні: міська громада Полтави

Author(s): Oksana Zorych / Language(s): Ukrainian

The brochure provides the generalized analysis of the main factors influencing the local processes of formation and transformation of political identities in Poltava city community. The content and specificity of identity policy in the city are determined, their constitutive role in structuring the political and social field of Poltava is proved

Консолідація українського суспільства: етнополітичний вимір

Author(s): Oleg Rafalskiy / Language(s): Ukrainian

The monograph is devoted to the study of the ethno-political components in the consolidation of Ukrainian society. The methodological and theoretical bases of the processes research of modern transformations with taking into account the peculiarities of modern ethnonational policy development and the practice of its implementation are revealed. The political analysis of domestic and foreign political influences on the ethnopolitical situation in Ukraine is carried out, the current directions of social and political development in modern conditions are determined. The publication is intended for scientists, who study the problems of ethnopolitics and socio-political processes in Ukraine. The book may be of interest to post-graduate students, students of higher educational institutions, everyone who seeks to assess current events in the political sphere and predict their development.

Зміна цивілізаційної парадигми розвитку України: теоретико-методологічний аналіз

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Ukrainian

The monograph examines the processes of formation, development and decline of civilizations. The main focus is on the development of Ukrainian regional civilization. The anti-Ukrainian orientation of Russian civilization myths about the common historical memory is shown. The status and prospects of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration as a change in its civilization course are considered.

SWITCHING FROM CASH TO CASHLESS PAYMENTS: CONSUMER BEHAVIOR EVIDENCE FROM KOSOVO

Author(s): Faruk Ahmeti / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2022

This paper investigates the readiness of customers to shift toward cashless payment by identifying the main factors that impact that shift. The sample consisted of randomly selected individuals identified as potential users of cashless payment and are considered more likely to continue using the new technology. Five hundred eighty-six questionaries were returned and considered complete for the research. The outcomes were assessed employing CFA for validity and determined using Cronbach’s alpha for the reliability of the research, which was stratified by seven regions throughout the country was applied, by covering all levels of the society. The findings show that the perceived risk is connected to the level of correct and believable information offered to customers. It has been confirmed that the respondents trust cashless payment technology, and at the same time, self-efficacy had a lower impact on usage continuance intention. Consequently, the growth of self-efficacy would strengthen the intention to use cashless technologies. Several segments in the financial market may benefit from the results and develop more appropriate and reliable systems and the proper approach toward customers with needed information and insurance related to the security and benefits they may have by adopting the cashless technology.

IMPROVING WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EVOLUTION IN KENYA: THE CASE OF NAIROBI AND KAKAMEGA COUNTIES

Author(s): Sylvester Ngome Chisika,Chunho Yeom / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

This study aimed to investigate the progress of women's empowerment through employment opportunities in Nairobi and Kakamega Counties in Kenya between 2013 and 2017. Despite the increasing policies that aim to mainstream social equity and equality, there is still a significant gap between policy commitments and practices. The study evaluated whether the implementation of devolved governance in the two counties has improved women's empowerment. The study's framework included an in-depth review of policy documents, official records, and reports from official websites to understand women's economic empowerment status in Nairobi and Kakamega. The study analyzed qualitative and quantitative data from County Integrated Development Plans and other secondary sources. Specifically, it examined compliance with the 30% gender rule, requiring women to hold at least 30% of all elective and appointive positions. The study found that Nairobi commands the largest share of formal sector wage employment in Kenya, and women's access to employment opportunities remains slightly lower than men in both counties. Despite implementing the 30% gender rule, the study revealed the need for more comprehensive policies that promote gender equality and women's economic empowerment in both Nairobi and Kakamega.

INDIA@75: ASSESSING INDIA’S USE OF SOFT POWER AS A FOREIGN POLICY INSTRUMENT

Author(s): Mohammad Reyaz / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The term soft power has become a catch-all-phrase for public and cultural diplomacy since Joseph Nye introduced it in 1990. India has had several historical and cultural advantages regarding its influence in foreign countries. While India and Indians enjoyed goodwill in most countries, the sudden interests in India among the policymakers, businesses, and politicians were mainly after the 1992 economic liberalization that had opened the Indian markets to foreign investments. Besides the nation-branding exercises globally, New Delhi employed soft power instruments in countries it deemed to have more significant interests, from traditional allies like Bhutan and Afghanistan to the countries in the West in the last three decades. Nevertheless, how successful has India been in exploiting its cultural linkages and using its soft power in its branding? This question becomes pertinent as, in recent years, India has often received negative press coverage in international media, and on several freedom/democratic indices, its rankings have gone down. As India celebrates 75 years of independence as Azadi ka Mahotsav (a grand celebration of independence), this paper assesses the scope of its soft power as a foreign policy instrument, points out its shortcomings, and recommends the possibilities.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE DECOMMUNIZATION POLICY ON THE FORMATION OF UKRAINIAN NATIONAL IDENTITY

Author(s): Oleh Poshedin,Kateryna Kashchuk / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The article examined the impact of the decommunization policy in Ukraine on national identity formation. The objectives of the article were to determine the main reasons and consequences of decommunization in Ukraine. A historical approach to determine the causes of decommunization and justify its necessity is applied in the article. Sociological studies and expert opinions on decommunization are analyzed. Based on synthesis, analogy, and abstraction methods, the elaborated material is summarised, and the article’s conclusions are formulated. As a result, the conclusion has been drawn that decommunization could not contribute to the formation of national identity in Ukraine. The outcomes of decommunization had a positive effect only in combination with other efforts (educational process, dialogue with society, language policy). However, given Ukraine’s regional characteristics, it took time to unite the population around a shared historical memory, common symbols, and traditions. The policy of decommunization primarily contributed to the strengthening of regional identity. Moreover, improving the material well-being of Ukrainians and creating favorable conditions for living and working in Ukraine will unite the residents of all regions of Ukraine. These actions will significantly enhance the effect of decommunization in forming national identity.

THE IMPACT OF COLLECTIVE MEMORY ON THAILAND’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE

Author(s): Sanyarat Meesuwan / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

This study uses the theory of collective memory in international politics to examine the connection between collective memory and foreign policy to investigate why the Belt and Road Initiative has witnessed slow progress in Thailand. Qualitative data were gathered from various sources, including books, newspapers, journals, policy documents, and textbooks. The study concludes that cooperation between states is essential for achieving shared objectives but is contingent upon establishing mutual trust. Collective memories that one country maintains concerning another country can influence mutual understanding and trust, becoming ingrained even if the situation responsible for the memories changes or no longer exists. In the case of Thailand and China, the Thai government’s push for the high-speed rail project faced criticism and concerns due to the public’s deep-seated fears and distrust of China, the result of historical events and past experiences. This paper’s findings highlight the state’s role in creating collective memory and otherness, recognizing that external variables such as major power activities play a significant role.

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITY, AND SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY IN KOSOVO

Author(s): Ferdi Kamberi,Zeqir Hashani / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

Community development is vital in networking and creating social capital. Local governments in Kosovo cooperate closely with their communities by offering public and social services, inclusivity, and social integration. This cooperation increases active citizenship, community development, social welfare, and local democracy. This paper aims to research and analyze the relationship between local governments and their communities, focusing on providing social services. The applied methodology included a quantitative survey of 300 respondents from three municipalities: Pristina, Fushe Kosove, and Obilic, targeting citizens aged 18 and above of both genders. The results show that local authorities in these municipalities offer community services and include their communities in policy-making and decision-making. While they also offer social services, community-based services should be restructured, and local authorities should pay more attention to empowering the community more comprehensively.

THE IMPACT OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN CONFLICT ON ARMENIA’S FOREIGN TRADE: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

Author(s): Diana Galoyan,Diana Matevosyan / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

This article aimed to provide a quantitative assessment of the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on Armenia’s foreign trade. The research problem was to analyze how the conflict influenced Armenia’s export and import patterns regarding geographical directions and product structure. The objectives were to examine the changes in trade turnover and identify shifts in geographical trade directions and trade structure. The study employed various statistical analysis tools, including dynamic series indicators, structural analysis, time series modeling, trend and moving average approximation, and extrapolation. Through these methods, the study evaluated the effects of the conflict on Armenia’s foreign trade. The key results indicated a positive impact of the conflict on trade turnover, with increased trade activity in various geographical directions. Export diversification was also observed as a result of the conflict. Notably, re-export played a significant role in the unprecedented growth of Armenia’s trade turnover during this period. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict had a discernible influence on Armenia’s foreign trade, leading to changes in trade patterns and increased trade activity. The study highlights the importance of the re-exports role in analyzing trade dynamics.