Deutschland in Europa. Eine neue Rolle nach der Finanzkrise?

Author(s): Erhard Crome / Language(s): German Issue: 6/2012

The main proposition of the author of the paper is that the role and importance of Germany in Europe has increased during the financial crisis of the eurozone. In the opinion of the author, since the government of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, and especially since his refusal to take part in the anti-Iraq coalition in 2003, German foreign policy has been marked by assertiveness and followed exclusively German national interests. The cabinet of Angela Merkel continues this approach, and the solutions to solve the eurozone’s financial crisis Berlin has proposed and promoted are primarily subordinated to the needs of the German economy. In the author’s opinion, in the future, Germany will treat the European Union instrumentally as what is termed a hinterland (backup facilities) for emerging German ambitions to become a great power.

Niemieckie wizje kształtu Unii Europejskiej w okresie rządów Gerharda Schrödera

Author(s): Justyna Kłys / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The unusual activity of the Federal Republic of Germany during all integration processes in Europe was questioned after Gerhard Schröder’s victory in the 1998 election. The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD – Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands), which for many years had been pushed into opposition, did not have a clear vision of its European policy, which gave rise to concerns from European partners. In addition, the coalition government of the SPD-Union 90/The Greens emphasized German interests in European politics more strongly than Christian Democratic governments.With a persistence that had never been seen before, they demanded that the financial burdens of the Federal Republic of Germany towards the EU budget be reduced and the Common Agricultural Policy be reformed, thereby giving up the „checkbook policy”. One of the focal points became the reform of the European Union’s institutional system and decision-making process. Joschka Fischer’s „From a union of states to a federation” speech, related to the reform of the EU, delivered in May 2000, marked a breakthrough and started an international debate on the political form of the Union. The author of this paper presents German ideas on European integration and visions of the form of the European Union from 1998–2005.

Kwestia cypryjska: przebieg i konsekwencje rokowań w latach 2008–2012

Author(s): Przemysław Osiewicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The main aim of the article was the presentation of the tendencies of economic relations development of the European Union with the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in the conditions of globalisation. The success of the Russian political leaders in their bilateral relations with the European Union show how important, in the mutual is approaching, are the rules and effectiveness of the international system built up in the past sixty years. An objective interest of the transatlantic community is therefore to the west, for safe and prosperous Russia, was idealistic and at the same time realistic. At the same time as it is also important, that Russia and not Africa whether the Middle East, is for Europe force, with the strategic nature. In the long term, to the european economy effectively and permanently follow in globalisation processes and that term was competitive with, Russia and China must first become innovative economy. In terms of prospective it should be emphasised that the best hope for the peaceful development of the international cooperation offers the most important actors contemporary on the world stage.

Niemiecki model polityki społecznej na tle regulacji Unii Europejskiej

Author(s): Paulina Maria Baran / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The essential objective of the paper is to present the German model of social policy as compared to the social solutions adopted in the European Union. The author analyzes the transformations of social policy, established by virtue of the Treaty on the European Union, The Nice Treaty and Lisbon Treaty, among other documents. The further part of the paper presents the main assumptions of the German model of the welfare state. The author concludes with a suggestion that, at a time of global financial crisis, both the European Union and Germany will need to change their social policies.

Instytucje demokracji bezpośredniej w procesie integracji europejskiej – od referendum ogólnonarodowego do europejskiej inicjatywy obywatelskiej

Author(s): Magdalena Musiał-Karg / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

Institutions of direct democracy in the process of European integration: from nationwide referendum to European civic initiative. The idea of civic participation in national decision-making processes is an important part of European history. By means of implementing the principle of the sovereignty of nations, those eligible to vote are able to express their will through the institutions of direct democracy and representative democracy. The instruments of direct democracy are an extremely interesting research subject – not only due to the fact that the number of votes on European integration has been very high (especially in the last decade), but also because EU Member States, being aware of the importance of citizen involvement in the process of integration in Europe, established the institution of the European citizens’ initiative. Using this instrument, European citizens can impact the politics of the EU. The purpose of this text is to answer the question of the role of direct democracy and its tools in the process of European integration, as well as of the prospects for the use of direct forms of governance in the process of deepening and widening integration in Europe.

Federalizm europejski początków integracji europejskiej i doby kryzysu gospodarczego

Author(s): Adam Jaskulski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The purpose of this paper is to compare the federalist concepts at the onset of European integration processes after the Second World War and in the time of struggling with the economic crisis. The starting point for the analysis is to present the initial situation, which in both periods was referred to as the crisis of the nation-state. In the first case, the nation-state was found guilty of instigating two world wars, and in the other it was guilty of the collapse of the public finances of eurozone Member States. Whether at the turn of the 1940s or now, an effective way out of the crisis is sought in federalism.

Unia gospodarczo-walutowa: geneza, ewolucja, perspektywy rozwoju

Author(s): Marek Rewizorski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

This paper touches upon the origin, evolution and development prospects of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Its theoretical foundations are considered, as well as the historical, institutional and normative aspects of monetary and economic integration within the European Union. Considerable attention is paid to EU institutions’ participation in economic management, in particular to the European Central Bank, which is the pivot of monetary and economic stabilization in the European Union. The paper also emphasizes the potential changes applying to EMU following the Lisbon Treaty that may be introduced after signing the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (Fiscal Treaty) and establishing an economic government.

Partnerstwo Wschodnie jako instrument polityki wschodniej UE?

Author(s): Adam Barabasz,Marcin Piechocki / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

Established on the initiative of Poland and Sweden, the Eastern Partnership encompasses six states located in the territory of the former USSR, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. The program was officially initiated in 2009 by offering its members such solutions as softening visa restrictions, the establishment of free trade zones and signing association agreements. One of the priorities of the Polish Presidency, the Eastern Partnership culminated in the summit held inWarsaw on September 29–30, 2011. While Poland sees this project as an opportunity for further enlargements, other member states are not unanimous about what character it should have. Should the Eastern Partnership constitute the eastern dimension of the European Neighborhood Policy, or just the advancement of democratic values without promising EU membership in return for their implementation. This influences the assessment of the Eastern Partnership upon its third year of operation, and of the activities of the Polish Government during the Presidency. Although cooperation between the EU and the countries of the Eastern Partnership was not significantly advanced, Donald Tusk’s Government succeeded in maintaining the EU’s interest in this topic among member states otherwise engrossed in the eurozone crisis.

Rozwój gospodarki Unii Europejskiej – Strategia Lizbońska, a nowy plan „Europa 2020”

Author(s): Wojciech Stankiewicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The article points out that the co-ordination of economic policy plays a significant role in the proper functioning of an economy. In 2000, an economic development plan, known as the Lisbon Strategy, was designed within the framework of the European Union. The plan was ambitious and contained a number of assumptions that were to guarantee the unrivalled international competitiveness of Europe upon their implementation. On account of poor performance results the strategy was reviewed in 2005, yet it still failed to achieve the desired objectives. The reason for that were exaggerated ambitions that were not adjusted to the changing economic conditions in the world. In 2010, the Lisbon Strategy was replaced by the „Europe 2020” strategy, which may be less ambitious, but its assumptions are more realistic. The objective of the „Europe 2020” strategy is primarily to recover quickly from the crisis and prevent similar ones in the future, as well as to achieve sustainable economic growth while taking a more environmentally sound course.

Koordynacja polityki fiskalnej i pieniężnej strefy euro w obliczu kryzysu finansowego

Author(s): Joanna Skrzypczyńska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The financial crisis of 2008 has subjected the eurozone to a serious test. Is it feasible to achieve an effective co-ordination of fiscal and monetary policy in the eurozone? Given the circumstances, what role will the European Central Bank play, and what will be the role of Member States? The aim of this paper is to analyze the opportunities for greater coordination of fiscal and monetary policy in the eurozone given the current economic crisis. The first part of the paper presents the principles of monetary policy, its objectives and tasks. The role of the European Central Bank in the development of this policy and monetary policy instruments used to mitigate the consequences of declining confidence in the eurozone are also examined. The second part of the paper concentrates on the objectives and functions of fiscal policy. The last part discusses selected instruments for closer cooperation of the eurozone countries in terms of fiscal policy.

Liberałowie w Parlamencie Europejskim

Author(s): Aleksandra Kruk / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The Liberals have forced their own beliefs through since European structures began to emerge, but their impact on the concept of integration was weaker than that voiced by the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats. Factional activity in the European Parliament is another form of the operation of political parties, alongside traditional international party congresses. The paper presents the projects and views of liberal politicians on the process of European integration. Particular attention is paid to the opinions of Gaetano Martino, Cornelis Berkhouwer, Simone Veil, Pat Cox, Graham Watson and Andrew Duff.

Niemcy w procesie integracji europejskiej na tle kryzysu greckiego

Author(s): Jakub Michalak / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

Gerhard Schröder’s appointment as Chancellor of Germany in 1998 marked the first clear signs of Germany’s emancipation from the EU’s decision-making center in Brussels. It was, however, only after 2008, when the global economic crisis resonated across Europe, that Berlin maturely redefined its European policy priorities. Following that, the federal government gained more confidence in applying international policy tools to protect the German raison d’état in the Old Continent. For this reason Chancellor Angela Merkel has made the struggle with the financial problems of the eurozone one of the priorities of her second-term in office. The quality of bilateral cooperation between the leaders of Germany and France plays an important role in this respect, especially in view of Nicolas Sarkozy’s defeat in the latest presidential election. François Hollande has already proved that Paris has a different attitude to the issue of the redistribution of the eurozone members’ debt than Germany, and reaching a consensus will require the CDU leader to be more submissive than before. Angela Merkel is aware of the ongoing reconfiguration of European political alliances, therefore she is prepared to soften Germany’s diplomatic language to maintain the stability of the European currency, to which Germany owes its current position in Community decision-making structures. The main focus of this paper is to explore the formula of „European solidarity” of Germany in the context of the eurozone debt crisis, with particular emphasis on the case of the Hellenic Republic. Angela Merkel’s standpoint is tested in the context of German-French cooperation with respect to the eurozone debt clearing policy.

Stosowanie Karty Praw Podstawowych Unii Europejskiej: Protokół brytyjski i Sprawozdania ze stosowania KPP UE

Author(s): Malwina Księżniakiewicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The first part of the paper analyzes the content of the British Protocol and the justification for its drafting. It also presents individual standpoints, and in particular Polish responses which triggered a general discussion, as was the case with the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Another part of the paper is devoted to analyzing the Reports on the Application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, published annually since the Chart came into effect in 2010. The reports discuss issues that were successfully resolved, as well as those continuing to pose a challenge for the EU.

Stan poinformowania polskiego społeczeństwa oraz rola politycznego zaangażowania w świetle akcesji Polski do Unii Europejskiej

Author(s): Katarzyna Smolińska,Joanna Jancz,Agata Przemieniecka,Katarzyna Kuprianiec / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012

The prospect of Poland’s joining the EU stirred various emotions and triggered a series of purposeful activities carried out in many dimensions and in numerous areas. Both those at the national and local level were supposed to prepare Poles well for this move. Another desirable outcome concerned the increased political commitment and awareness of Polish society. Even though, in the initial period of negotiations, Poles clearly mistrusted the government and the activity of individual persons, a clear majority were in favor of accession to the EU in the final vote. The political activity and commitment of Polish society advantageously impacted on the level of political culture at that time. The downside involved a profound and distinct division into the supporters and opponents of the accession, both in the media and among political parties.

Die Osterweiterung der Europäischen Union. Die anomischen Konsequenzen der deutschenWiedervereinigung

Author(s): Thomas Mehlhausen / Language(s): German Issue: 5/2011

Zjednoczenie Niemiec przyniosło wielopłaszczyznowe konsekwencje dla procesu integracji europejskiej. Autor w artykule analizuje szeroką teoretyczną dyskusję, która toczyła się na ten temat w literaturze naukowej. Chodziło głównie o następstwa reunifikacji dwóch państw niemieckich dla Traktatu o Unii Europejskiej z Maastricht i poszerzenia Unii Europejskiej na wschód.

Studia europejskie jako element internacjonalizacji szkolnictwa wyższego w Unii Europejskiej

Author(s): Timm Beichelt,Jarosław Jańczak / Language(s): Polish Issue: 5/2011

The aim of this article is to investigate how the European university education sector is being internationalized. The authors test „European Studies” programs, assuming that due to their peculiar character they are the forerunners of change, which results, among other things, from Europeanization processes. The field of „Teaching Europe” is mapped in the European Union and then a more detailed analysis is conducted in Poland and Germany. These allow the authors to formulate three models describing how universities in Europe are answering the challenges created by the integration process. The Polish and German cases further illustrate the dynamics of „European Studies” development, as well as differences in general aims, disciplinary construction as well as level of internationalization. Various geographical patterns of enhanced collaboration are revealed by the research when checking Double Degree programs.

Die richtungweisende Führungsrolle der Europäischen Union in der internationalen Klimapolitik

Author(s): Thomas Hickmann,Julka Jantz / Language(s): German Issue: 5/2011

Od szczytu klimatycznego w Kopenhadze w grudniu 2009 r. Unia Europejska próbowała przejąć inicjatywę w zakresie formułowania celów i zadań dla ochrony światowego klimatu i walki z zanieczyszczeniami powietrza. Ze względu na opór wielu państw nakreślone ambitne plany redukcji gazów cieplarnianych nie zostały powszechnie zaakceptowane, ale sama UE może już poszczycić się pewnymi osiągnięciami. Olbrzymią słabością w koncepcjach UE jest Wspólna Polityka Rolna, gdzie postęp w walce z zanieczyszczeniami ziemi i powietrza jest najmniejszy. Dla wielu państw członkowskich wdrażanie unijnych rozporządzeń wiąże się z olbrzymimi kosztami, których te kraje nie są w stanie udźwignąć. Istnieją nadal różnego rodzaju przeszkody administracyjne, które również utrudniają wprowadzenie jednolitych norm ochrony klimatu.

European Neighborhood Policy as a Cooperation Instrument between Ukraine and the EU

Author(s): Yuliana Palagnyuk / Language(s): English Issue: 5/2011

European Neighborhood Policy as an instrument of cooperation with the neighboring countries, including Ukraine, is analyzed in this article taking into account new geopolitical conditions as the result of events in North Africa in the beginning 2011 year, preparation of new association agreement between the EU and Ukraine on the new level with perspectives of membership of Ukraine in the European Union.

Formalnie słaby, nieformalnie silny. Pozycja Parlamentu Europejskiego w procedurze konsultacji na przykładzie procesu uchwalania rozporządzenia ustanawiającego zasady dobrowolnej modulacji płatności bezpośrednich

Author(s): Adam Kirpsza / Language(s): Polish Issue: 5/2011

Widespread, rationalist thesis states that the position of the European Parliament in the consultation procedure is insignificant. Its limited powers come down to giving opinions for the Commission proposals before the Council can proceed with adopting it. However, it is the Council that decides whether to incorporate or ignore the EP’s amendments in the final legislative act. Different view on consultation is presented by social constructivism. It assumes that institutions operate in the complicated normative environment where legislative procedures and proposals are interdependent. This system is full of informal practices and social rules which not only facilitates decision-making but also deforms and reinterprets Treaties provisions. Entangled in this environment, the EP has the possibility to take advantage of it to reinforce its position in consultation. For instance, it can informally block the procedure by linking issues, delaying or creating decision-making stalemates for the Council. Though the EP’s de iure powers under consultation are limited, its de facto position might be powerful. The article examines abovementioned theses by analyzing the passing procedure of the Council Regulation (EC) No 378/2007 of 27 March 2007 laying down rules for voluntary modulation of direct payments, one of the most important consultation act in the European Union’s agriculture field. The case-study confirms the constructivist prediction. By using „power of delay” and issue-linkage strategy, the EP can significantly influence EU legislative outcomes. Not only is it able to block the whole procedure but also to force the Council to accept the substance of its opinion in the final legislative text. Therefore, despite the fact that Treaties give weak competences under consultation to the EP, this institution can acquire dominant position in this procedure.

Dokumenty Unijne. Dok. 2 Konkluzje Rady Europejskiej z posiedzenia, 28/29 czerwca 2012 r.

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Polish Issue: 6/2012