Abstract The paper discusses how the European integration project has moved so rapidly that the push for a European Constitution and its failure are causing doubts about the EU's future. The paper explains that the EU is not ready for a Constitution that could possibly place restrictions on the member states of the Union. The paper asserts that dwelling on the failure to ratify the Constitution will only breed negativity about the European Union and must be forgotten for the time being in order to save the European integration project from crumbling. The paper believes that the EU is being over-zealous in its aim for European integration and should slow down the process.
From the Paper "The grounds for a European Constitution lie in the demand for a simplification of the numerous Treaties forming the European community and the former European Economic Community; the merging of more than 2800 pages into a single document. As well as the practicable arguments for this project, the implementation of a Europe wide Constitution also sees to reiterate that the European Union is more than just an economic community founded on coal and steel, but a Union of the European people."
Abstract This paper discusses the main challenges involved in formulating and instigating foreign relations policies and decisions within the European Union (EU). It looks at the reasons why these problems and challenges occur and discusses the best ways to overcome the difficulties. The paper presents specific examples to explain the current situation.
From the Paper "As such, the solution is a simple one in theory though enormously difficult in practice. In order for the European Union to carry out foreign relations in a manner which fit its theoretical global position, much higher levels of integration is required. A concrete and vital start to this process would be the establishment of a Union wide constitution capable of acting as the ultimate authority. However, both this and further measures to ensure the effectiveness of collective action outside the Union would require the large scale removal of sovereignty from individual member states to the central Union authority. Opposition to such moves would be considerable and thus given its fragmented mature, it is unlikely that the European Union will be able to act in such a way for some time to come."
Reviews Slavenka Drakulic's "How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed", a collection of short essays describing the everyday life of a woman under communism in Yugoslavia.
Abstract This paper explains that Slavenka Drakulic, in "How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed", tells of her experiences and her friends' everyday lives and political experiences living in communist Yugoslavia from a woman's perspective. The author points out that the reason for the collapse of communism, according to Drakulic's book, is the failure of communism to provide the basic necessities for the female half of the Yugoslavian population. The paper concludes that Drakulic believes that communism is more than an ideology or a method of government but rather a state of mind and habit, which has yet to be erased from the collective consciousness of those who have lived under it.
From the Paper "Communism failed to provide freedom of expression and speech. Journalists who go astray and write negatively about the system are often given "tender persuasion" by the government. These persuasions cause journalists to self-censor themselves and cause paranoia and distrust for other journalists.
"The book also mentions on how Drakulic was in amazed bewilderment regarding the homeless people in New York and how she sees the injustices because of the "communist eye" that sticks to people who lived under communist systems."
An exploration of the similarities and differences between the judicial systems of the U.S and of the European Union with regard to concurrent jurisdiction and the 'full faith and credit clause' under the American Constitution.
Abstract The paper analyzes the structure of the U.S. judicial system compared to the current situation in the European Union. The paper reaches the conclusion that if the European Union is not a true federation based on the American model, it could be described as a hybrid, mix jurisdiction, or alternatively, a 'confederation' as a system in between an international organisation and a federation.
Outline:
The American Judicial System
The European Union Judicial System
The European Union: A Hybrid, Mix Jurisdiction?
From the Paper "'We must build a kind of United States of Europe'. These were the words pronounced by the famous wartime prime minister of Britain, Winston Churchill, in his speech at Zurich University on the 19th of September 1946. But as soon as June 1941, the Ventotene Manifesto was calling for a 'European Federation', and since, the debate has never lessened. Academics have spoken of a 'federation in the making' , 'an embryonic federal structure' , 'an association of sovereign States with a federal potential' , etc. For some others, any idea of federalism itself is to be banned from the European context. It seems like there is a kind of fear of federalism. From a comparatist perspective, it is interesting to analyse the European Union in parallel with the United States, which is a federal State par excellence, in order to assess whether the Union may be assimilated to such a federation. However, as everything cannot be possibly covered, it is necessary to limit the scope of the study."
Tags: hybrid, mix, jurisdiction, confederation, law, member, states
Abstract This paper argues that Mark Steyn's book "America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It" raises many important issues about the terrorist crisis and the global growth of Islamic fundamentalism. However, the author feels that his assessment of the Muslim world and of Europe is colored by Steyn's pro-American sentiment; thereby, he fails to address sufficiently global issues relating to Islamic extremism.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The European Union, or "Eurabia," and the 'Threat' of Islam
Conclusion
From the Paper "Although it is clear that Europe has, and still is, undergoing a significant demographic shift that is influencing its politics and culture, the European Union is just as determined to fight terrorism as any other Western nation or super-power. In fact, countries such as France have introduced laws, such as banning Muslim women from being veiled in public, not, as claimed by Steyn, because of a desire to "push all religion to the fringes of life", but due to the way in which religion, no matter what type, has been a historical problem that still affects its population."
Tags: secular fundamentalists rights war, supranational superstate
Abstract This paper reviews the European Union's (EU) 2000 Quality in Tourism Product (QTP) study to encourage and promote sustainable tourism development, which appraised tourism in general, its improvement and measurement. The author relates a 2001 study of the destination and process of the tourist overall experience and a 2005 third study, which presented various cases investigating the attraction and impact of global and region-specific sports and cultural events. As these studies indicate, the paper states, the EU has placed a high level of importance on the sustainable development of tourism, which contributes greatly to the EU economy.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Evaluation
Case Studies Coastal, Rural and Urban
Quality Improvement 2001
Cultural and Sporting Event Impact on Tourism
Conclusion
From the Paper "The most vitally important issues that these four priority issues address are the measures and benchmarking established to provide a manageable development route forward for the rest of the lesser 'developed' and less quality oriented destinations within Europe. The issue of non-financial aid as well as the use of structural funds are aimed at improving the overall destination and experience of the tourist, specific to region and framework within any given region; and not limited to individual organizations or groups."
Tags: experience competitiveness, local employment, holistic, case studies
This paper discusses what it will mean for people living in the Baltic States to become a part of EU population, including the advantages and disadvantages.
23,000 words (approx. 92 pages), 27 sources, 2000, $ 249.95
Abstract Discusses what it will mean for people living in the Baltic States to become a part of EU population. After the accession some people will benefit, some will be put in a disadvantageous position, national parliaments will lose considerably important powers in the field of migration and eastern external borders will become a hot spot of the country where now EU rules will be applied.
From the Paper "Furthermore, Maastricht and Amsterdam treaties are compared and the changes that have been made examined. After immigration and asylum matters, external border controls, measures to combat financial fraud against the EU and customs cooperation have been moved out of the Third Pillar of the EU and the intergovernmental cooperation and transferred to the Community level, the national parliaments gave up some of their powers. That basically means that after the accession of the Baltic States to the EU, they will have to accept that some of their parliaments? competence will be transferred to the EU level. Still, not all the powers in the field of migration will be taken from national competence and so in my thesis it is also noted what issues will be left exclusively for states. "
Abstract This is paper bases its discussion on the sociological hypothesis that " external conflict promotes internal cohesion". The author looks at the study by sociologists Kyriacos Markides and Steven Cohn who found that the effect that the Turkish invasion had on the Greek Cypriot community showed the hypothesis to be untrue, and suggests factors that may have produced this result.
From the Paper "Within the world of Sociology (specifically the world of social conflict theory) there exists the hypothesis that ?external conflict promotes internal cohesion" within a group that is antagonized by another. Yet in order for this to happen certain conditions by the oppressed group must be met. The group must be a "going concern", in other words members of the group must feel that its preservation is important and "the threat must be perceived to be against the group as a whole, not just a part".
In regards to this hypothesis a study was done on the country of Cyprus by Sociologists Kyriacos Markides and Steven Cohn. Their findings on the effect that the Turkish invasion had on the Greek Cypriot community showed the hypothesis to be untrue. Dominance by an antagonistic group did not bring Greek Cypriots together but rather split them apart. Their analysis of Cyprus took the hypothesis one step further, insisting that ?one factor determining whether external conflict produces internal consensus is the degree of preexisting unity,? thus arguing that this unity did not exist within Greek Cypriot society."
Tags: cohesion, conflict, ethnicity, external, race, social
Abstract This paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of the Concert of Europe in dealing with the Eastern Question. Throughout the Eastern Question, which regards the fate of the Ottoman Empire, Concert diplomacy was used to solve the various crises that arose. The paper describes and analyzes three of these crises, the Syrian Crisis, the Crimean War, and the Balkan Wars.
From the Paper "With the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815, a system of diplomacy, known as the Concert of Europe, was established between the great powers of the time. This union held underlying norms and regulations that directed the Powers foreign policy for the decades that followed. Although initially developed to deal with European matters, the Concert was faced with dilemmas and crises concerning the interests of the great powers outside of Europe as well. This was particularly true with regards to the "Eastern Question" which was becoming more and more of a heightened issue as the nineteenth century progressed. As J.A.R. Marriott wrote: ?European statesmen have persistently sought to "isolate" the politics of the Near East. They have almost consistently failed? (1963: 10). The issues concerning the Ottoman Empire quickly became relevant international issues that stood before the Concert of Europe. The treatment of these issues by the great powers reflects both the strengths and the weaknesses of the European Concert system. The various crises concerning the fate of the Ottoman Empire will be analyzed in order to show the effectiveness of the Concert system to deal with the Eastern Question up to the Crimean War, and its gradual decline and weaknesses until it's disintegration in World War I."
Abstract A look at how Communism penetrated the Bulgarian economy through its poorly developed economy (agriculture-oriented) during the Ottoman presence. The author analyzes how this weakened the economy even more after the war period, between the first Balkan War and the Second World War.
From the Paper "When asked about the present state of Bulgarian economy, Bulgarians talk about forty-five years of Communism as if they were forced upon the state from outside. Some people get so extreme that they equate them to the five centuries of Turkish yoke. The modest truth, however, is that outside influence came later. Before that, Bulgaria offered grounds for the development of the regime. Communism penetrated the country through its poorly developed economy (agriculture-oriented), which weakened even more after the war period between the first Balkan War and the Second World War."
Abstract This paper compares Bulgarian and American financial markets, institutions and instruments on the level of existence and development. Following a comprehensive comparison table is the actual explanation of every type of financial institutions/instrument in the context of its development in Bulgaria. A part of the paper points financial institutions/instruments that exist in Bulgaria but not in the USA. Another part of the paper proposes development of the most needed financial institution at present.
From the Paper "One of the institutions that does not exist in the United States but is present in Bulgaria regards the central bank of the country. Bulgarian National Bank was created in 1879 and was initially functioning as a regular bank. During the Communist regime in the country its operation was terminated and in 1991 was resumed with the acceptance of the Central Bank Law and The Bank and Credit Law. These laws were changed significantly in 1997 when Bulgaria was placed under Currency Board. Presently the central bank is transformed in such a way so that it can work as a Currency Board. Its balance includes both Bank and Currency Board entries. The currency reserve, which includes foreign currency, gold and foreign securities, covers the money in circulation, commercial banks deposits and government deposits. The Lev is tied to the Deutch Mark (1DEM=1Lev). According to the present regulations, BNB cannot give credit the government. Commercial banks are allowed credit but to a limited extent. This is possible only in cases when systematic liquidation risk exists. The maximum period of credit is 3 months and a deposit of gold of foreign securities is required. Yet, the credit of commercial banks is possible only if "surplus" in the balance of BNB exists."
Abstract This paper looks at the Monika Maron stories "The Promise" and "Silent Close No.6". In the two stories, the author tells us that The Berlin Wall comes to represent much more than concrete blocks built together. Throughout both pieces, the Wall represents the struggles each character goes through with their fathers and their battles or embraces of Communist ideals.
From the Paper "Throughout The Promise and Silent Close No.6, there are references made to the Berlin Wall. Though the same physical object looms over the characters in each piece, the wall comes to represent two entirely different things within the context of each work. Within The Promise, the wall separates two lovers, Sophie and Conrad. However it is much more than a barrier, the Wall represents the teachings of Conrad's father, the loyalty to his country, and the importance he shows for his family. The only way Conrad can live out his love story with Sophie is to escape the shackles that keep him tied to the East side of the Wall. These restraints come off only after the Wall has fallen, but by that time it is too late to rekindle the romance he shared with Sophie. In Silent Close No.6, the wall is used as a tool of unification rather than separation. Beerenbaum perceived it as a tool in unifying and solidifying the socialist nation. The wall was representative of the pinnacle of the East German socialist regime, a legacy for Beerenbaum to leave behind. Rosa, on the other hand, views the wall as a physically looming presence upon which she projects her resentment and bitterness onto her father and communism. For all these character the Wall becomes much more than concrete and watchtowers. It divides them all further than spatial limitations allow, creating a mental wall that prevents all Germans from coexisting."
Tags: compare, contrast, german, germany, literature, berlin
Abstract This paper presents facts about a one time actual ruler, Vlad the Impalar, of what is now known as Romania. It looks at the actual figure and the similarities between Stoker's character, Dracula and the Romanian ruler. The paper uses the only known resources that are written about Vlad and tells a little of the horrors and history of 15th century Europe.
From the Paper "Vlad's main goal was to maintain rule. Dracula allied himself with Hungary against his former allies, the Turks, and pledged that he would fight for the Christian cause. Even though Vlad pledged to fight for the Christians, he remained a Romanian Orthodox, in doing so he ensured his position in Wallachia as ruler for the time being."
This paper examines the influx of Eastern European immigrants to the United States especially after the Second World War. It discusses three major immigrant groups - Poles, Czechs and Russians and also discusses Americans' attitudes towards these groups.
1,432 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 3 sources, 2001, $ 47.95
Abstract This paper examines the influx of Eastern European immigrants to the United States especially after the Second World War. It discusses three major immigrant groups - Poles, Czechs and Russians and also discusses Americans' attitudes towards these groups.
From the paper:
"Established Americans often look down on new immigrants. The cultural habits of immigrants are frequently targets of criticism, especially when the new arrivals come from a different country than those in the established community. This is true despite the fact that so much of what we have accomplished as a nation has been due to the contributions of recent immigrants who have been willing to work as hard as they can to make a better life for themselves and their families ? and alon the way for the rest of the country as well."
Abstract This research paper discusses the collapse of the Soviet Union and its empire in 1989-91 and the future of Eastern Europe after Soviet domination. The paper concludes that the events of 1989 marked the end of the communist revolution. For more than forty years, the West had contained the Soviet Union behind the Iron Curtain, while the inherent faults of Soviet communism, embodied in the flawed policies of its leadership, brought about the inevitable collapse of the Soviet empire. The author discusses the fall of communism which presented humanity with a historic chance to progress a few feet forward. The author argues that only when democracy and capitalism reach the roots of society, however, can these ideas blossom into true positive change in the post-communist world.
From the paper:
"What happened in 1989 was not a revolution itself, but actually the final nail in the coffin of a revolution. The fall of the Soviet Union represented the end of a forty-year challenge to democracy and market capitalism, both of which had already been established as the status quo (at least of Europe, the main "battlefield" of the Cold War). The revolution of western democracy and capitalism began in 1642 in England where the first popular rebellion against a monarchy brought about the execution of King Charles I. Less than a decade later, Thomas Hobbes, at least partially inspired by the upheaval in England, published his famous work Leviathan. Although he advocated submission to the absolute supremacy of the state, Hobbes was not concerned whether that state was ruled by a king or a parliament, and this non-commitment to monarchy laid the intellectual foundations for the development of democratic political theory. John Locke soon bridged the gap between Hobbes? realism and what would become liberalism with the ideas of majority rule, natural rights, property rights, and the responsibility of the state to uphold these ideals. Montesquieu added the issues of separated and balanced governmental powers, and Rousseau defended self-determination and civil liberty. Adam Smith introduced the world to comparative advantage and put forth the belief that the ability of every citizen to make his own economic choices created the most prosperous economy. The ideas of these philosophers, along with Madison, Jefferson, Ricardo, and ?the rest,? inspired more revolutions in America in 1776, France in 1789, across Europe in 1848, and again in American in 1860."
