#23 Penitentiary Policy аnd System in the Republic оf Bulgaria

Author(s): Maria Yordanova,Dimitar Markov / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2011

The report explores to what extent Bulgaria has introduced the European standards in the legal regulation of the prison system and the execution of the penal sanction of imprisonment, how are they implemented in practice, what is the State’s penal policy and strategy in this area in general and in respect to drug-addicted prisoners in particular, and what is the opinion of the people working in the penitentiary system and the non-governmental organizations monitoring the activities of penitentiary facilities.

#24 Green Energy Governance in Bulgaria at a Crossroads

Author(s): Ruslan Stefanov,Denitza Mantcheva,Nikolay Tagarov,Dobromir Hristov,Valentina Nikolova / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2011

The current report reviews existing policies for energy sustainability in Bulgaria and the EU, the main achievements and challenges in their implementation, and discusses the central issues to Bulgaria’s sustainable development agenda. The report presents a summary of the transition to sustainable development in Bulgaria, and offers policy recommendations for improving the governance of the Bulgarian green energy sector. Achieving security, sustainability, and competitiveness in the energy sector is a daunting task for a union of twenty-seven states, especially since the issue of securing the supply of energy has traditionally been a national matter. In their drive to reach climate change and energy targets during the past decade, European governments have utilized quick fix solutions like turning to nuclear power or replacing coal with gas, thus burdening future generations with nuclear waste disposal and increasing EU’s energy dependence on Russia. Yet, two major events – the gas crisis of January 2009 and the Fukusima nuclear disaster of March 2011 – have reshaped the thinking and rekindled the debate on the ways of achieving energy security and stability of supply in Europe.

#25 The Hidden Economy in Bulgaria and the Global Economic Crisis

Author(s): Andrey Nonchev,Denitsa Mantcheva,Evgenia Vassileva,Ruslan Stefanov,Todor Yalamov / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2011

This publication provides an overview of the hidden economy dynamics in Bulgaria. The authors make an analysis of the effects of the crisis on the labor market and undeclared work based on the results from the Hidden Economy Monitoring System. After examining the European and the Bulgarian experience of the last five years, they make recommendations to the improvement of the public policies for reducing the hidden economy. The authors also justify the necessity of combining administrative control, socio-economic measures and structural reforms in the control administrations and the law enforcement agencies.

#26 Countering Organised Crime in Bulgaria: Study on the Legal Framework

Author(s): Maria Yordanova,Dimitar Markov / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2012

The publication analyses and assesses the legal framework on countering organised crime and examines the problems, which arise in its practical application. On this basis, recommendations are made to improve the legislation and bring it into conformity with international standards and the existing good practices, as well as to overcome the weaknesses in the application of law which impede the detection and punishment of organised criminal activity or infringe fundamental principles of criminal procedure and the rights of the participants in it.

#27 Assisting and reintegrating child victims of trafficking in Bulgaria: legal, institutional and policy framework

Author(s): Miriana Ilcheva / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2012

The report explores the legal, institutional and policy framework of countering child trafficking in Bulgaria and assisting and reintegrating its victims. It looks at Bulgarian criminal law and criminal procedure, as well as other legal norms, relevant to the subject, and the extent to which they comply with international standards. The study presents the different stages of referral victims go through, the various institutions and organisations, involved in the process, and the policies and initiatives they pursue in improving child victims’ situation. A number of recommendations are put forward in terms of possible legislative amendments, strengthening policy framework and furthering capacity building of institutions, entrusted with combating child trafficking.

#28 Countering police corruption: European perspectives

Author(s): Rositsa Dzhekova,Philip Gounev,Tihomir Bezlov / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2013

This publication reviews the policies and institutional mechanisms for countering police corruption in several EU member states. To be effective, anti-corruption efforts should be based on a system of independent and mutually accountable institutions which are sufficiently empowered to implement their objectives. This report emphasises the last two decades of experience in the UK, Belgium and Austria in modernising their anti-corruption policies and institutions. In addition to the institutional and legal framework, concrete measures and methods (risk assessment, integrity tests, etc.) are also examined. The Bulgarian and Romanian experience in countering corruption in law enforcement institutions is also reviewed with an emphasis on some of the main problems and gaps that undermine effective counter measures.

#29 Civil Society in Bulgaria: Between Social Entrepreneurship and State Capture

Author(s): Todor Yalamov,Maria Doichinova / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2013

This publication analyses the changes in the third sector during the 2010 – 2013 period and at the same time outlines the positive practices in the social entrepreneurship as well as the risks that reduce the chances for nongovernmental organisations to effectively impact the democracy and well-being of Bulgaria.

#30 Energy Sector Governance and Energy (In)Security in Bulgaria

Author(s): Ruslan Stefanov,Todor Galev,Martin Tsanov,Martin Vladimirov,Nadejda Gantcheva / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2014

This report explores the major governance deficiencies in the Bulgarian energy policy regarding the strategic, institutional, and legal framework of the sector. The report focuses on state capture of energy policy by private political and economic interests that led to bad management practices in the sector, to lack of consistency in the legal and regulatory framework, to deteriorating investment environment, and to the involvement of the country in infrastructure projects that undermine the national long-term strategy and policy priorities. This has affected negatively the Bulgarian taxpayers and consumers, has jeopardized the financial stability of the state-owned energy companies, and, ultimately, has reduced the energy security of the country. The report recommends that the implementation of the country’s energy policy should be reconsidered and should be based on EU priorities and on sound cost-benefit analyses with regard to Bulgaria’s energy security.

#31 Monitoring Anti-Corruption in Europe. Bridging Policy Evaluation and Corruption Measurement

Author(s): Alexander Stoyanov,Alexander Gerganov,Andrea Di Nicola,Fabrizio Costantino / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2015

Corruption and measures to counteract it have been subject to so much research and political attention that it would seem that their every aspect must have been explored. Yet corruption proves bafflingly resilient, always finding new conduits for spreading; squeezed temporarily out of one public sector, it reappears in another. It could only benefit the anticorruption effort, therefore, if novel methods for analysis and prevention were found. It is in response to this need that the current report seeks to build bridges between the evaluation of anticorruption policies and the measurement of corruption. Monitoring Anticorruption Policy Implementation (MACPI) was born of the understanding that innovation in anticorruption is as important as it is in other social and economic fields. MACPI provides the anticorruption community with a precision-guided tool, which gives exhaustive feedback on the enforcement of policies.

#32 Radicalisation in Bulgaria: Threats and Trends

Author(s): Rositsa Dzhekova,Mila Mancheva,Maria Doichinova,Lyubomira Derelieva,Tihomir Bezlov,Maria Karayotova,Yavor Tomov,Dimitar Markov,Miryana Ilcheva / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2015

The phenomena of radicalisation today develop and change at high speed, with their extreme forms manifested globally. The destructive dimensions of (violent) Islamist or right-wing radicalisation have become dramatically visible in Europe posing serious challenges to European societies at large. This report aims to address a knowledge gap with regard to how and to what extent internationally observed radicalisation processes are manifested in Bulgaria. Four different forms of radicalisation are investigated, including Islamist radicalisation, right-wing and left-wing radicalisation, as well as football hooliganism. The report provides policy makers and the expert community with a systematic overview of the main risks to which the Bulgarian society is exposed, as well as of the main actors and ideas, the repertoire of actions and the groups at risk associated with radicalisation. The report outlines recommendations for improvement of the policy and institutional response with regard to radicalisation by way of monitoring and prevention measures as well as multi agency collaboration and community engagement.

#32bg Радикализация в България: заплахи и тенденции

Author(s): Rositsa Dzhekova,Mila Mancheva,Maria Doichinova,Lyubomira Derelieva,Tihomir Bezlov,Maria Karayotova,Yavor Tomov,Dimitar Markov,Miryana Ilcheva / Language(s): Bulgarian / Publication Year: 2016

The phenomena of radicalisation today develop and change at high speed, with their extreme forms manifested globally. The destructive dimensions of (violent) Islamist or right-wing radicalisation have become dramatically visible in Europe posing serious challenges to European societies at large. This report aims to address a knowledge gap with regard to how and to what extent internationally observed radicalisation processes are manifested in Bulgaria. Four different forms of radicalisation are investigated, including Islamist radicalisation, right-wing and left-wing radicalisation, as well as football hooliganism. The report provides policy makers and the expert community with a systematic overview of the main risks to which the Bulgarian society is exposed, as well as of the main actors and ideas, the repertoire of actions and the groups at risk associated with radicalisation. The report outlines recommendations for improvement of the policy and institutional response with regard to radicalisation by way of monitoring and prevention measures as well as multi agency collaboration and community engagement.

#33 Extortion racketeering in the EU: vulnerability factors

Author(s): Atanas Rusev,Lorella Garofalo,Elena Sciandra,Andrea Gimenez-Salinas,Carmen Jorda,Manuel de Juan Espinosa,Tihomir Bezlov,Margarita Gasparinatou,Irene Stamouli,Sofia Vidali,Marina Marchiaro,Valentina Giampietri,Radu Nicolae / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2016

Extortion racketeering has been long pointed out as the defining activity of organised crime. Although in recent years this crime has not been among the top listed organised crime threats in the strategic EU policy documents, it still remains ever present in European countries. The seriousness of the phenomenon has been recognised at the EU level and the crime has been listed in a number of EU legal acts in the field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The report Extortion racketeering in the EU: vulnerability factors analyses extortion racketeering forms and practices in six EU member states. The analysis disentangles the risk and the vulnerability factors for enterprises in two business sectors – agriculture and hospitality – as well as in the Chinese communities. Drawing on the results of the analysis, the report suggests new policies for tackling extortion racketeering in the EU. This report has been produced with the joint efforts of the Center for the Study of Democracy, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses y de la Seguridad – Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Transcrime – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano and Vitosha Research and with the support of Guardia Civil in Spain.

#34 Monitoring Radicalisation: A Framework for Risk Indicators

Author(s): Rositsa Dzhekova,Mila Mancheva,Nadya Stoynova,Dia Anagnostou / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2017

Radicalisation processes impacting on disaffected and indoctrinated persons and the later involvement of some of them in acts of terrorism are of growing concern for European citizens, their governments and the wider international community. Addressing this threat requires effective prevention policies which some EU member states have been proactive in developing. Effective policies need reliable diagnostic tools designed to identify individuals and groups who might pose a threat. The publication provides a review of existing approaches and tools to identifying, monitoring and assessing radicalisation in Europe and beyond. It further offers a conceptual framework of radicalisation risk and vulnerability indicators and their interpretation as a basis for developing early-warning mechanisms for frontline practitioners in countries which are yet to develop specific prevention and counter-radicalisation policies. The target group of the guide are policymakers at national and EU levels, as well as practitioners directly involved in the prevention of radicalisation in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond.

#35 Situational Assessment of Extremist Trends

Author(s): Rositsa Dzhekova,Luděk Moravec,Pavlína Bláhová,Jan Ludvík,Libor Stejskal,Dia Anagnostou,Dimitris Skleparis,Nadya Stoynova / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2017

Violent extremism is one of the major challenges Europe is currently facing. The threat is both external as well as internal as indicated by the rise in home-grown Islamist terrorists, as well as of nationalistic and anti-immigrant movements and far-right aggression. An accurate picture of the spread, nature and trends in the extremist and terrorist activity and actors is paramount to formulating strategic policy approaches and effectively allocating available resources. This publication provides a methodological framework for the establishment of a viable mechanism for monitoring and assessment of the state and developments over time in extremist acts and actors on the national level. The situational assessment is an instrument for systematic collection and analysis of statistical data, open source data and intelligence information pertaining to extremist actors and activities, for the purposes of developing regular situational reports of the spread, nature and trends in extremism and violent radicalisms. Following the application of the situational assessment tool, the publication presents main findings on extremist trends and monitoring capacities in three countries from Central and Southeast Europe: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Greece.

#METOO IN POLISH THEATRE EDUCATION

Author(s): Monika Kwaśniewska-Mikuła / Language(s): English / Issue: 03/2020

This article discusses the #metoo movement in the Polish theatre. The author, referring to the thesis by Agnès Grossmann, notes that just like in the cinema, in which #metoo was initiated, the theatre reproduces images of women subjected to the male gaze. She then looks at how this problem of representation translates into the working conditions of women in the theatre. The paper presents the current state of research and actions regarding violence (including sexual violence) in theatres around the world. Applying these considerations to Poland, the author writes how this problem resonates with the situation of women in Poland. In the context of the theatre, the location of substantive and practical preparation for #metoo were theatre schools. Surveying events in the two most important and prestigious centres of theatre education, the author first makes a diagnosis of existing problems and then examines the process of combating them through the prism of Sarah Ahmed's concept of “walls” and the affective theory of paranoia and reparation according to Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick

(По)граничността в многобройните ѝ изменения (Nira Yuval-Davis, Georgie Wemyss, Kathryn Cassidy, Bordering. Cambridge, UK, Medford, MA: Polity, 2019)

Author(s): Stephan E. Nikolov / Language(s): Bulgarian / Issue: 2/2019

,,Щастливо“ или ,,безгрижно“? Детството по време на летните ваканции през социализма

Author(s): Nevena Dimova / Language(s): Bulgarian / Issue: 2/2020

In this article I use the socialist concept “happy childhood” and the popular after the end of socialism notion “carefree childhood” to analyze state policies in relation to socialist children’s happiness and their subjective experiences. By focusing on the memories of then children of their summer vacations I aim to show that the organized holydays in summer camps as part of the project of “happy childhood” are remembered with ambivalent feelings, while vacations spent in grandma’s (and grandpa’s) village house are saturated with positive meanings and are constructed as the most “carefree” time of childhood. Thus, it can be argued that socialist state attempts to remove children’s happiness from their home and family by creating organized public spaces for that purpose were not especially successful, as far as summer camps were concerned. Instead, today’s adults construct grandma’s (and grandpa’s) house in the village as a parallel territory of happiness during their childhood years where under “adult care and in full freedom” they spent a large portion of their summer vacations.

18+. Knjiga o nešto drugačijim muškarcima

Author(s): Jozo Blažević,Feđa Bobić,Saša Gavrić,Jasmina Čaušević / Language(s): Bosnian / Publication Year: 2013

Kada smo 2010. godine krenuli da radimo za i sa lezbejkama, gejevima, biseksualnim i trans* osobama, suočili smo se vrlo brzo sa činjenicom da su život i svakodnevnica ovih grupa u potpunosti nevidljivi u Bosni i Hercegovini. Kroz rad sa zajednicom mnogo puta smo se uvjerili da su gej, biseksualni i trans* muškarci diskriminirani na razne načine u heteronormativnom društvu. Sa druge strane, i u okviru same LGBT zajednice, određene grupe muškaraca se suočavaju sa predrasudama. Biseksualnost se često smatra nepostojanom i prelaznom fazom ka homoseksualnosti, a o transrodnosti, transeksualnosti i transvestiji se ponekad govori kroz podsmjeh i prezir i u okviru LGBT zajednice. Gej, biseksualni i trans* muškarci su najčešće u BiH vidljivi samo u kontekstu nasilja i diskriminacije. Sarajevski otvoreni centar želi da učini vidljivim specifičnosti svake od ovih grupa muškaraca, da ih na taj način osnaži i pruži im prostor da ispričaju svoje priče o identitetima, različitosti, neprihvatanju ili prihvatanju, priče o svojim unutrašnjim svjetovima, maštanjima, žudnji, strahovima, stidu, strasti, slobodi, oprezu, hrabrosti i, konačno, coming outu. Upravo zbog toga je nastala i ova knjiga. 18+. Knjiga o nešto drugačijim muškarcima predstavlja nastavak našeg nastojanja da dokumentujemo, prikažemo, i što široj javnosti približimo LGBT svakodnevnicu. Objavljivanjem knjige Više od etikete. O ženama koje vole žene početkom 2013. predstavili smo „žensku“ perspektivu, dok je ova knjiga njen „muški“ pandan. Knjiga se sastoji iz četiti dijela. U prvom dijelu Mladen Lakić daje pregled 15 intervjua, koje su Jozo Blažević, Feđa Bobić i Jasmina Čaušević vodili sa parovima i pojedincima. Gej, biseksualni i trans* muškarci govore o svojoj seksualnosti, vezama i mnogim drugim aspektima nešto drugačije muške svakodnevnice. Nakon toga, u integralnoj formi predstavljamo intervju sa Mirnesom Kubatom Vanillom. Uvjerite se i sami zašto je ova priča jedinstvena. U trećem poglavlju donosimo lične coming out priče, dok nam u četvrtom dijelu Ivan Šunjić pruža prostorno-vremenski analitičko-teorijski pogled na seksualnost, identitete i proces kakav je coming out. Umjetnički radovi nešto drugačijih muškaraca – fotografije, slike i grafike, na vizuelan način upotpunjuju knjigu pričajući svoje priče. Takođe, u knjizi se nalaze i dokumentarističke fotografije slovenske fotografkinje Tanje Ristić, i na ovom mjestu joj se najtoplije zahvaljujemo što nam je ustupila svoj rad na korištenje. Kao inicijator ovog projekta, želim da se srdačno zahvalim svojim ko-priređivačima i priređivačici: Jozi, Feđi i Jasmini bez kojih ovaj projekt možda nikada ne bi bio realizovan. Zahvalnost dugujem i Mladenu na autorskoj obradi i uobličavanju obilnog i inspirativnog materijala koji su intervjui obezbijedili, te Ivanu na smještanju knjige u savremene teorijske okvire kroz svoj pogovor. Hvala i Dini na lekturi, te Feđi, još jednom, na prelomu i dizajnu knjige. I za kraj, želimo se zahvaliti i Fondaciji Planet Romeo koja je podržala nastanak ove knjige, te Ambasadi Norveške u BiH koja je finansirala štampu.

1910–1934 Internal Migration of Local Population in Bulgaria (According to Census Data on Birth Places in Bulgaria)

Author(s): Penka Peykovska / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2020

This study еxamines the internal migration of the native-born population in Bulgaria between 1910 and 1934. Its volume and dynamics, gender and ethnic specificities, distance, directions and spatial orientation are revealed by quantitative analysis of the statistical information on the birth place of the native-born population in Bulgaria, drawn from the four censuses realized during the period under consideration. Due to the lack of current statistics on settlements and displacements, they are an indispensable historical source of spatial mobility within the country.

1920 – A Caesura in Social Theory?

Author(s): William Outhwaite / Language(s): English / Issue: 6/2020

The centenary of Max Weber’s death raises the question of the wider significance of 1920 as marking a break in the history of social theory. This essay focuses on Germany and Austria, where the political break with the past was particularly sharp and the discontinuities in the social and intellectual configuration of the social sciences were most obvious. Three trends are particularly striking: the development of neo-Marxist social theory with György Lukács and Karl Korsch and the later emergence of critical theory, the polarization between neo-positivism and interpretive sociology, and the consolidation of the sociology of knowledge.