25 years of public administration in the Czech Republic

Author(s): Bojka Hamerníková,Milan Lindner / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Fundamental political and economic changes have taken place in the Czech Republic in the past quarter of a century. It is a relatively long period of time, during which all areas of life of society have been radically transformed, with public administration being no exception. The significant milestone of the country’s history was marked by the events of November 1989. The political, legislative, and economic changes – in a word “dismantling” – of the socialist state and its transformation into a democratic state relying on the market economy also required transformation regarding the perception of its role, activities of executive apparatus and institutions, nature and quality of public administration employees, and effectiveness of their work. And it is a very challenging and prolonged transformation that is not always absolutely clear. By analyzing the public administration development during the period, we should point out the key moments of its transformation and allow critical assessment of individual steps of various reforms, both planned and implemented. This is the only way to determine the pros and cons of the existing development and to indicate the trends of going forward.

Public administration reforms in Poland

Author(s): Andrzej Zybała / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Over the last centuries, public administration in Poland shared the plight of the Polish state. Starting from around the mid-seventeenth century, Poland as a country has been losing the ability to sustain independence. At the end of the XVIII century, it lost sovereignty to Russia, Prussia and Austria (the so-called third partition of the country occurred in 1795). It regained its independence only after the First World War. The reason for the collapse of the state in 1795 is, among others, the fact that the ruling classes have failed to forge a modern model of public administration. There were many reasons for that. At the time the dominance of the nobility was a factor of great importance, especially when it comes to powerful magnates (active mainly in agriculture), who subordinated the state and its institutions as well as blocked the formation of professional civil service. Ruling circles of the day lacked the ability to produce modern state structures, including the ability to create the conditions for a professional clerical personnel. Not even the clear structures of the state were created (Bystroń 1976).

Fridrih Engels o porodici, privatnoj svojini i državi

Author(s): Duško Radosavljević / Language(s): Serbian Publication Year: 0

Questioning the views in the work of Friedrich Engels, “The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State”, is the basic task of our effort to try to point out elements that are already known in the studies of this author, but also to get to know what are the moments from this well-known work, which seem different today as opposed to the period when Engels wrote it. Because, Engels greatly contributed to illuminating the genesis of the state, and the perspective of its development. Of course, considering the phenomena of culture and civilization, letters, analysis of the gentile order, its disintegration, and the formation of a new social organization - the state. This famous and influential book meaningfully describes, analyzes and gives a kind of synthesis of some of the most important phenomena in the development of human society, and the inevitable categories from the domain of social sciences and humanities as well.

Why do consumers fail to follow waste segregation rules? What would motivate them to obey the regulations?

Author(s): Magdalena Stefańska,Gabriel Grabowski / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Most of empirical literature on participation in and choice of recycling at the household level has been focused on factors determining the direct cost for households engaging in recycling efforts (Czajkowski, Kądziela, & Hanley 2012; Huhtala, 2010, Jenkins, Martinez, Palmer, & Podolsky,2003). Researchers noticed mixed findings in the literature on the significance of waste collection fees for recycling efforts. There is also a question as whether household recycling efforts represent a social cost, which should be taken into account in cost-benefit analyses of alternative waste treatment systems. Some argue that it should not be calculated, since recycling efforts are, to a large extent, voluntary. But on the other hand, households devote time to segregation, which is, in fact, an alternative cost (Bruvoll & Nyborg, 2002). One of the barriers of effective segregation seems to be a low level of awareness on recycling and segregation issues among households. That was also noticed in research conducted by Omran, Mahmood, Abdul Aziz and Robinson (2009). The aim of this case study is to recognise why citizens’ knowledge on waste segregation rules is not sufficient enough. Despite research results confirming rather limited consumer skills related to the subject, efficient methods to make people increase their awareness of what correct selective waste collection is, seem to remain still undiscovered. The students’ task is both to identify why mistakes in waste segregation are made, as well as to propose ways of helping citizens avoid them.

Dangerous Demographic Change Reinforces Europe’s Declining Image

Author(s): Maria Negreponti-Delivanis,Ioana Panagoreţ / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Currently, one of the main factors that shows us a picture of Europe's decline is that of demographic change. This process of decline of the West is marked by more than five decades of several indicators and evolutions that show us that although the time of Western civilization is beginning to run out, a new one appears, namely that of the East. This process of decline in which there is an extreme and unprecedented form of capitalism appears more pronounced in Europe compared to the United States and is characterized by: corruption, alienation of peoples from their roots, religion, history, low birth rates, massive flows of migrants and refugees, the totalitarian tendency of governments. Although the signs of decline are numerous, in this paper we will analyze certain demographic developments observed mainly in Europe and which we consider from several points of view dangerous. In addition to these developments, which we consider quite dangerous, globalization is the most important. The paper is structured in four parts, in the first part being presented the basic trends and variations from the population's perspective. In the second and third part are presented the main causes and effects of these variations of the populations and in the fourth part the conclusions of this study.Most of the interpretive analysis of this unwanted stagnation process is based on demographic erosion, population aging, low middle class rates, the invasion of migrants and refugees that change the cultures of the host nations.

Prezenţa elementului grec în structura demografică a Basarabiei în prima jumătate a secolului al XIX‑lea

Author(s): Valeriu Harabara / Language(s): Romanian Publication Year: 0

Ca urmare a anexării Basarabiei la Imperiul Rus (1812), în această zonă a început un proces de modificare a structurii etnice a populaţiei Basarabiei, proces ce a fost amplificat de autorităţile ţariste prin politica colonizării teritoriului obținut. Acţiunile date s‑au răsfrânt şi asupra evoluţiei demografice a elementului grec de pe teritoriul Basarabiei.

Din Activitatea Serviciului Special De Informaţii Din Basarabia (1941‑1944)

Author(s): Pavel Moraru / Language(s): Romanian Publication Year: 0

După eliberarea Basarabiei (26 iulie 1941) de către armatele româno-germane de sub ocupaţia sovietică de un an de zile, structurile Serviciului Special de Informaţii (S.S.I.), împreună cu celelalte organe ale statului, s-au reinstalat în teritoriul dintre Prut şi Nistru.

Projekty gospodarki współdzielenia w sektorze gastronomicznym – studium przypadku

Author(s): Hanna Ziętara / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

Sharing resources is now a frequently discussed topic in the scientific discourse. The phenomenon of consumerism and globalization in the food market has led to the problem of wasting food. This is one of the greatest challenges we face today, especially in developed countries and their urban areas. Food sharing may be a solution to this problem. Foodsharing points, however, are only social initiatives, not systemic solutions. Based on the qualitative research – case study of the Metropolis of Upper Silesia and Zagłębie – the aim of the article is implemented, concerning the identification of available solutions for sharing food in cities and their assessment. This publication will be an introduction to further considerations in the field of organized food sharing in urban areas, which will contribute to enriching the concept of city management with solutions in the field of foodsharing.

Biophilic urbanism and NBS - conceptual approach and critical case study on the process of implementing NBS specific to the proGIreg project

Author(s): Codrut Papina / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Based on the proGIreg case study, the potential use of neighbourhood-based nature-based solutions for urban regeneration is presented. The classification of the specific solutions of the project (compared to other classifications) will be presented, together with the critical conclusions on why NBS are relevant for the emerging new concept/approach of Biophilic Urbanism. One of the results of the applied research project is the Replication Toolkit - which aims to facilitate the implementation of Nature-based solutions for other cities. The Replication Toolkit contains a set of recommendations for the strategic component of urban regeneration of post-industrial neighbour-hoods, but also for the operational component of concrete implementation of solutions.

Równoważenie funkcji mieszkaniowej w obszarach dużych miast

Author(s): Agnieszka Mrozińska / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess spatial cohesion of suburban areas in terms of balancing the volume of housing functions and accompanying functions in the gminas (communes) of the Poznań agglomeration in the years 2012–2016, based on the analysis of the functions of buildings under construction. Design/methodology/approach: The author has conducted the following tasks: reviewing the literature on suburbanisation processes, in particular in the Poznań agglomeration; performing a statistical analysis on the basis of data from Statistics Poland (GUS); assessing the volume of construction activity performing various functions in the area of the Poznań agglomeration; indicating the main function of newly constructed buildings and analysing measurable characteristics depicting the scale of construction activity, including the number and usable floor area of buildings or the number of dwellings (in the case of the residential function); assessing the relativised characteristics relating to the area and population numbers. Findings: The processes of suburbanisation and the implementation of the residential function are spatially diversified in the Poznań agglomeration. The balance of the housing and supplementary functions differs in individual gminas of the area under analysis. The relation between the usable area of newly completed buildings intended for non-residential purposes (supplementary functions) to the usable area of newly completed buildings intended for residential purposes in the Poznań agglomeration reflected the situation that took place all around Poland. The balance of the residential and supplementary functions depends on the following factors: the state of spatial development in the past (e.g. the presence of land that could be transformed for the needs of a new function), the existence of environmental or administrative development barriers (e.g. marshy ground, military training ground), thecurrent scale of the occurrence of individual functions (e.g. the degree of market saturationwith commercial space) or their location on important transport routes. Originality and value: In the face of the inevitability of the development processes, changing the spatial structure of areas surrounding large cities is a challenge for present and future generations, and in particular for local authorities. Even today, we may observe spatial changes affecting rural and rural-urban gminas neighbouring large cities. Under the pressure of the suburbanisation process, the developed residential function in such gminas forces them to take care of other functions that rural areas (so far unprepared to provide most ofthe functions characteristic of cities) perform or will perform in the future.

Rynek mieszkaniowy w erze pandemii COVID-19. Studium porównawcze Poznania i Warny

Author(s): Slawomir PALICKI,Ivo KOSTOV / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

Purpose: The aim of the study is to characterise and interpret the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) as an unexpected stimulus on the participants of the housing market. The research was designed not only to obtain knowledge about contemporary market trends (the cognitive aspect) but also to support market entities in shaping optimised investment and housing decisions (the practical aspect). Design/methodology/approach: The research is based on official statistical data describing transactions on the housing markets of two selected European countries and their cities – Poznań (Poland) and Varna (Bulgaria), in the period between 2018 and 2020. The methodology of comparative analysis has been applied to purpose fully selected case studies. Furthermore, the authors have drawn on the possibilities offered by the analysis of the activity and volatility of transaction prices on housing markets. Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant, yet short-term impact on the functioning of residential markets in Bulgaria and Poland in 2020 (based on Varna and Poznań). The dissemination of global information concerning the scale of the epidemic has most severely disrupted the activity on both the primary and secondary housing markets in Bulgaria. The secondary housing market in Poland reacted in a similar way, which resulted in a significant instability of the trend. The primary market in Poland turned out to be relatively most resistant to the stimuli related to the pandemic situation. What is common for both analysed countries and cities is a change in the shape of house price indexes in 2020 compared to 2018–2019. Originality and value: The research is a part of the contemporary trend of assessing the impact of atypical factors disrupting market trends. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the functioning of housing markets, forcing unprecedented global responses. The example ofthe comparative analysis of the two European countries presented in the article allows for indicating the directions and scale of rapid changes which reflect the process of sudden adaptation of societies to previously unknown conditions. Such analyses, which serve asex-post evaluation to some extent, allow for better preparation of specialists in the field of housing market activities to meet the needs created by unusual stimuli. They also allow for more effective planning of measures to mitigate the effects of market shocks in the sphere of housing.

SWOT analiza inovacionog sistema u Bosni i Hercegovini

Author(s): Miloš Trifković,Dženana Husremović / Language(s): Bosnian,Croatian,Serbian Publication Year: 0

Aktualna globalna pozicija Bosne i Hercegovine potvrđuje nalaz prethodnih istraživanja da u našoj državi ne postoji jedinstven ili barem harmonizovan i efikasan inovacioni sistem, primjeren potrebama razvoja društva i ekonomije znanja. Prvi koraci u utvrđivanju razloga ovakvog stanja su SWOT analize položaja i uloge inovacionog sistema u okviru opšteg strateškog planiranja i sektorskog planiranja istraživanja i transfera tehnologije. Najvažniji rezultati dobiveni iz tih matrica su diskutovani u radu. Oni su potom uspoređeni sa rezultatima naših najnovijih istraživanja. Prvi rezultat je sažeta SWOT matrica inovacionog sistema. Rezultate razrade pojedinih faktora smo prikazali u detaljnoj SWOT matrici zasnovanoj na elementima snage. I ova matrica je pokazala da je ujednačeno i stabilizirano visoko obrazovanje najvažniji element snage inovacionog sistema. Zbog toga su obilježja univerziteta kao subjekta inovacionog sistema posebno razmotrena.

SWOT Analysis of the Innovation System in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Miloš Trifković,Dženana Husremović / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The current global position of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirms the findings of previous research that in our country there is no single or at least harmonized and efficient innovation system, appropriate to the needs of the development of knowledge society and the knowledge economy. The first steps in determining the reasons for this situation are SWOT analyses of the position and role of the innovation system within the general strategic and sectorial research and technology transfer planning. The paper discusses the most important results of matrices obtained and compares them with the findings of our latest research. The first result is a concise SWOT matrix of the innovation system. The results of the elaboration of individual factors we present in a detailed SWOT matrix based on elements of strength. This matrix also showed that uniform and stabilized higher education is the most important element of the strength of the innovation system. Therefore, the paper specifically discusses characteristics of universities as subjects of the innovation system.

CLASH OF MENTALITIES, EAST VERSUS WEST (AN ANALYSIS OF PARADIGMS AND CONFLICTS OF IDEAS AND CULTURAL MODELS)

Author(s): Vladimir Aurelian Enăchescu / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

One of the most enduring tensions in human history has been the clash between the East and the West. This is not simply a geographical division, but a difference in worldviews that has led to much conflict over the centuries. The East is often seen as mysterious and inscrutable, while the West is associated with rationalism and progress. These differing perspectives have led to clashes on everything from political ideologies to economic systems. Even today, there is a great deal of mistrust between the East and the West, with each side looking at the other with suspicion and misunderstanding. However, it is important to remember that there is far more that unites us than divides us, and that we can learn from one another if we are willing to open our minds. This article is an in-depth analysis of the differences in mentality between East and West and contributes to a better understanding and explanation of the current tensions and conflicts on the European border. The war in Ukraine is not only a military conflict but also the expression of an accumulation of tensions between different mentalities and cultural models.

ZAKLJUČCI

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Bosnian Publication Year: 0

CAPITALISM: WHERE TO?

Author(s): Ionel Stoica / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Mankind is at present at a crossroad, and this fact is valid from a political, economic and social viewpoint. Strong and opposed political and social forces, by the goals they seek, are engaged into a though competition, whose result will decide the way of life for several future generations. From the political point of view, the battle takes place between democracies, on the one hand, and the autocratic regimes, on the other hand. As for the economic and social aspects, the battle develops between the super-rich or the dominant class, and those who struggle to survive. Another facet of this last aspect is represented by the competition that is being carried out between the free market capitalism, combined with the liberal democracy, and the state capitalism, often associated with the illiberal or autocratic political regimes. This paper intends to present and explain the factors that underpin the success of the state capitalism, the way that free market capitalism and the state capitalism coexist at present, as well as the potential for conflict that can appear between the two models of capitalism, with its consequences for global stability. Understanding these aspects is important because the two models of capitalism support distinct models of development and security. We will be focusing more on the state capitalism because we consider that this represents an important force that will shape the global economy in a significant way during the following decades.

Recenzija knjige ,,Rodni stereotipi: Zvuči poznato?"

Author(s): Damir Kukić / Language(s): Bosnian Publication Year: 0

Knjiga „Rodni stereotipi: Zvuči poznato?“ predstavlja veoma korisnu i interesantnu publikaciju koja nas suočava s predrasudama kreiranim oko pojmova roda i feminizma. U dvanaest tekstova prikazano je kako rodni stereotipi egzistiraju unutar društvenih i ideoloških matrica, ali i kako oni, u svakodnevnim i konkretnim situacijama, postaju sastavnim dijelom naših vlastitih zabluda. Realnost i konkretna patnja, koje se mogu prepoznati u brojnim navedenim životnim situacijama i pričama, djeluju kao žestok podsjetnik na teške i bolne sudbine žena na ovim prostorima, ali i kao koherentan i stručan materijal za edukaciju u oblasti rodnih studija i proučavanja rodnih stereotipa. U tom kontekstu, vrijednost ove knjige jest što na jednostavan način, prikazujući realne situacije, uključuje čitaoce u prepoznavanje takvih situacija te ih ujedno senzibilizira na pružanje otpora prihvaćenim i etabliranim rodnim stereotipima.

Wzajemność wśród Polaków i rola polityki społecznej w jej kształtowaniu

Author(s): Piotr Michoń / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

If an individual believes that others will reciprocate their initial cooperative behaviour, it is rational for them to cooperate. Conversely, if they believe the opposite, cooperation would be seen as irrational and potentially dangerous. Low levels of trust in society have negative implications for quality of life, economic progress, and the functioning of public institutions. Surveys have revealed a prevailing lack of trust among the Polish population. Poles hold the belief that people are mainly driven by self-interest, implying that they anticipate others to engage in free-riding rather than altruism. The survey participants exhibit a low belief in reciprocation among those receiving benefits, suggesting a diminished desire to support others. Moreover, a significant portion of Poles still holds the view that receiving social benefits, excluding pensions, leads to changes in attitudes and behaviours, making beneficiaries less inclined to reciprocate to society.

Ролята на медиите и информационните технологии за формирането на етнически и религиозни перцепции и конфликти

Author(s): Margarita Atanasova Mollova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The Ethnoreligious World, National Security, and the Social Sciences explores the intricate relationship between ethno-religious dynamics, national security concerns, and the field of social sciences in contemporary society. This multifaceted discussion emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining ethno-religious harmony for the sake of social stability and national security. Additionally, it underscores the pivotal role played by social sciences in comprehending the origins of conflicts and their prevention. One specific subtheme, „The Role of Media and Information Technologies in Shaping Ethnic and Religious Perceptions and Conflicts“, delves into the impact of modern media and information technologies on the formation of ethnic and religious perceptions, as well as their potential to fuel or mitigate conflicts. This subtheme underscores the significance of analyzing how media and technology influence the ways in which people perceive and interact with diverse ethnic and religious groups, and how these influences can have profound implications for ethno-religious peace and national security. It also highlights the essential role of social sciences in studying and addressing these complex dynamics.

Evoluţia urbană: de la oraşul medieval la oraşul sustenabil

Author(s): Gabriel-Valentin Georgescu / Language(s): Romanian Publication Year: 0

Major climate changes, the growth of the world population to almost 8 billion, urban agglomerations, the ever-increasing need for housing and living space, are just a few elements that have led worldwide to the identification of urban policies aimed at solving, if not totally, at least partially, the problems facing the world today. Our study has as main goal to envisage the necessary transformations in medieval cities in order to adapt them to the new sustainability standards, with an emphasis laid on the need for an integrated and balanced approach in the ongoing process of transformation of medieval cities into sustainable cities. Starting from various bibliographic sources specialized in urban planning, architectural history and sustainable development, we intend to stress the importance of preserving urban identity in the present and future development process, by approaching several works regarding historic buildings, areas of cultural value and local traditions, essential to maintaining the link with the past and enriching the urban experience of residents and visitors. By implementing the right strategies and involving local communities, it is possible to create modern cities that provide a healthy and prosperous living environment for both current and future generations.