Abstract This paper discusses how for thriving capitalist economies with large commercial spaces for retail, the shuttle trade - buying goods abroad on tourist trips to bring back and sell at kiosks or open air markets - seems like an absurd phenomenon. It looks at how for so-called transition economies, shuttling has become a means of survival for workers who cannot find employment and for consumers who cannot afford to buy goods at conventional retail markets. It shows how although the shuttle business has been declining in the last few years, a majority of consumers in Russia and other CIS countries still buy goods at kiosks, open-air markets, informal stores on the ground floors of apartment blocks, or street vendors because prices are much cheaper than in the newer supermarkets.
From the Paper "The origins and enormous scale of the shuttle trade in "transition" countries can only be understood against the background of the trade environment during the communist period. The exchange and trading system within communist countries was an extension of the state planning system. It was conducted through an annual foreign exchange plan and only a handful of trading agencies were licensed to engage in external trade. The retail trade industry was very small compared to capitalist economies and as a consequence it was inadequately developed to handle the flow of commodities - even in a centrally planned economy."
Abstract This paper looks at how international labour migration from Poland to Western Europe has proved to be an effective strategy in overcoming some of the multiple problems of transformation after the communist system collapsed. It argues that Poles generally have access only to the secondary sector of labour economy. It also examines how bilateral intergovernmental agreements, official statistical data and survey results suggest that the labour flows to the primary labour markets are limited due to the structural constraints of European economies as well as migration policies and regulations of receiving societies.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Chapter 1 Theoretical Framework
Segmented Labour Market Theory of International Migration
Some Empirical Applications of Segmented Labour Market Theory
Chapter 2 Historical Roots Of Migration From Poland
Basic Migration Features Before the Communist Period (Up To 1945)
Basic Migration Features During the Communist Regime (1945-1979)Liberalization of the 1980s
Changes Caused by the Transition Period. Migrations After the 1990s
Chapter 3 Analysis of Polish Access to the Economic Sectors of the Western European Labour Markets
Structure of the Analysis and Methodological Considerations
Migration Policy
Bilateral Agreements on Foreign Employment of Poles
Seasonal Work in Germany
Project-Tied Employment by Polish Companies in Germany
Polish Labour Presence In Other Countries Of Western Europe (Employment In Western Europe Beyond the Framework of Bilateral Agreements)
Push Factors Responsible For Current Migration Flows-Migrants Characteristics
Summary of the Results
Conclusions
Bibliography
From the Paper "The complexity and diversification of international migration has resulted in the fact that there is no single theory or model which would be able to explain the phenomenon of migration satisfactorily and to capture dynamics of the process and conditions related to its various phases. However, different models were adopted in the attempt to reveal and predict various specific aspects associated with it. Among the most important theories which aim to explain causes of international migration, its development, and why it tends to sustain, are the neo-classical economics, the new economics of migration, segmented labour market theory, world system theory, social capital theory, and cumulative causation. The latter models accentuate different aspects of this phenomenon."
Abstract This paper analyses public opinion of the Ukrainians towards political and economic changes in Ukraine during the first decade of transformation (1991-1999). The paper assumes that the economic crisis is a serious precondition for the emergence of anti-democratic attitudes in Ukraine. It reveals that there are serious problems with democratisation in Ukraine and how the general economic, political and social disorientation helped the elites to implement "partial reforms" only, which were beneficial for their private gains. It also looks at how the low level of people's political participation, undeveloped civil society and general mass ignorance paralysed society, prevented the population from playing an active economic and political role, despite of high protest potential.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Chapter 1
Theoretical framework
Comparative Perspectives on Democratic Transformation
Democratic and Economic Regimes Under Postcommunism
"Quadruple Transformation": Four Attempts to Break with the Past
The People
The Elites
Chapter 2 The Winners of the First Decade
Dynamics of the Economy
The Attempts for Democratisation
Chapter 3 Public Attitudes Towards Transformation
Attitudes Towards Economic Changes
Attitudes Towards Political Changes
Attitude Toward Mass Media, Level of Knowledge and National Culture
Democratisation in the Times of the "Crisis Mentality"
Conclusions
Bibliography
Appendices
From the Paper "When the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union proclaimed the revolutionary programs of democratic and market development, they had ambitions to repeat the successful Western models of development. As some scholars admit (Ray, 1995), these programs were not original because they were designed to rectify a distance with the highly developed West, where a tandem of democracy and market economy already proved the successful results. However, the first decade of the transformation revealed many problems. The outcomes of the beginning of the transformation were problematic in the economic sphere: the mix of economic hardships, deterioration of the standards of life, the weak role of the state in establishment of the proper regulatory base for the market economy."
Tags: capitalism, cis, communism, democracy, russia
Abstract This paper aims to assess the concept of civil society through the system of public organisations which are believed to be the essence of civil society. It provides a short overview of existing theoretical trends in terms of relation of civil society with state and economy. It also looks at the theoretical school that presents civil society as a sphere of social interactions between the state and economy and how it is found to be the most acute and reflecting the true relations between society structures.
Outline
Content
Abstract
Introduction
Part I. Theoretical Background
A Historical Overview of the Concept of Civil Society
The Reasons For Civil Society's Existence
The Middle Class in Russia
Economic Conditions
Private Interests
Part II. From Civil Society to NGOs
Civil Society is Vital for a Sustainable Democracy?
Society Structure
The Essence of the Third Sector. Main Definitions
Distinctive Features of the Third Sector in Russia
Classifications of the Third Sector Organisations
Ngo Reality In Russia
Empirical Studies of the Third Sector
General Representation and Possible Tendencies
Conclusions
Bibliography
From the Paper "Since the beginning of the transformation in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in the former USSR, the new wave of attention arose in regards to the issue of civil society, its necessity for the building democracies and making society and the regime stronger. Today, an endless number of books are devoted to the problem of the concept of civil society, its history, the way it influences the democratic transformations and making democracies sustainable. Also attempts to define the term and find a proper and perfect place for it in the society system are made. In this paper, I will not try to write another textbook or go into deep criticism of selected works on civil society. Only a brief overview of the theories is necessary to present as a background, or the first "basement" level of the work."
Abstract This paper examines issues of inter-ethnic coexistence in the Ukraine and in particular the Donbass Basin by illustrating that history matters in terms of ethnic composition and political preferences. It attempts to reconstruct the historical picture of the major ethnic groups living in Donbass in order to examine what social, political and cultural experiences they have gained during the centuries of their habitation in the area of modern Ukraine. It looks at the process through which the ethnic make-up of the area was determined, focusing on the delineation of particular groups? histories and traces the evolution of the minority issue under Soviet rule, as a factor that influenced the levels of their self-assertiveness which obviously matters under the new political conditions. It also analyzes major questions of inter-ethnic co-existence and cultural autonomy, on the level of state politics and mass public perception.
From the Paper "When looking at the development of any young independent states, among the matters of special concern is the problem of the relationship between integration processes and the in-depth development of particular ethnic groups and regions. In staking out its claim of sovereignty and at the same time insisting on getting its own way, the multi-ethnic national state places itself in an embarrassing realm of double standards and therefore often becomes susceptible to quite a distressing level of internal torment. And yet some of the governments in question endeavor to implement liberal approaches, founded on the principle of preserving a balance between the prerogatives of the state and the priorities of the regions; and between the Nation's codes and the interests of the various ethnic groups in the population."
Abstract This paper looks at the Yiddish language, which originated in Eastern Europe and was brought to the Western World towards the end of the 19th century. The writer includes a history of the language and shows which Yiddish words have become common used words in the English language today. Finally, the paper offers some data collected by a study at Columbia University about the dialect.
From the Paper "The Yiddish dialect is commonly used in the American language. There are dozens of Yiddish words that have been assimilated into American slang speak. Yiddish has impacted American culture in a variety of ways. Yiddish culture, drama and writing influenced the American theatre scene and a large body of literary works through the early 1900s. It was in fact greatly popularized during this period of time, and many Yiddish playwrights and poets were well known and respected within the United States. However of late the press suggested that Yiddish is steadily declining within the United States, to the point of virtual extinction."
This paper discusses two new art movements established as part of the new communist state in the first two decades of the 20th century in Russia, Constructivism and Suprematism.
Abstract This paper explains the Constructivism movement, which relied on geometric shapes and was almost mathematical, and the Suprematism movement, in which art, before all else, is spiritual. Suprematism carried much more symbolism than the Constructivist artwork, which emphasized function. The author describes the work of Alexander Rodchenko, Vladimir Tatlin, El Lissitzky, and Casimir Malevich. The paper summarizes that, despite the fact that political changes during the mid-1900s brought these abstract art movements almost to an end, the impact of these artists on Russia, Eastern Europe, and the West continues to this day. Illustrations.
From the Paper "Rodchenko asserted that the concept of composition was a relic, because it was mere aesthetics and related to taste and other out-of-date artistic concepts. Instead, he said, composition had to be replaced by principles of construction and organization. ?All new approaches to art arise from technology and engineering and move towards organization and construction.? Construction represented the height of hundreds of years of artistic creation. It was part of the same process that led to Communist Russia. Rodchenko also stressed that a utilitarian element was present in the idea of organization and construction. The artist's goal was not to create a work of art but rather a utilitarian product and solving technological problems. Such statements polarized the Constructivists and those who were strongly aligned with aesthetic concerns."
Abstract This paper explains that legal and social discrimination against Christianity and individual Christians was the norm at all levels of society in Russia from 1945-1988. The activity of the KGB and government agents was a key factor during this time and this encapsules their view. The writer looks at the discrimination felt against both Orhtodox and Baptist groups and how the church that did not want to controlled by the state went underground and developed many clandestine activities including publishing activity that alerted the west as to events.
From the Paper The period prior to the Second World War was a time of great suffering "for the Christians inside the Soviet Union but in the post -war years leading up to Glasnost their was still a tragedy being played out. The Kruschev era brought the beginnings of a new persecution and an attempted destruction of the churches and even after these harsh years there was still much persecution until Gorbachev's reforms. During this time the hierarchies of both the Russian Orthodox Church and the official Baptist body seemed to compromise with the State, whilst others, particularly those not belonging to a registered church protested and stood their ground and often suffered the consequences. Due to the comparative size of the Orthodox Church I will focus on it with some reference to others, particularly Baptists."
Abstract This dissertation is divided into five chapters. Chapter One introduces the nature of the central issue: EU security policy towards Russia during the period 1992-2004 in the context of the European security issues during those years. It is symptomatic of the dynamics of this changing context that much of the existing literature tends to examine this issue not from the point of view of the EU, but rather via the prism of NATO-Russia relations. As a result, it will be one of the contentions of the present study that there is a "literature gap" in the existing work on this area that, itself, perhaps reflects the Cold War biases, conscious and unconscious, that continue to influence academic studies in this field. Chapter Two analyzes the relevant theoretical approaches and seeks to establish a theoretical paradigm for use in this study. Two influential approaches to the study of international security relationships are examined: neo-functionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism. Each of these theoretical approaches has recently undergone sustained criticism and redevelopment, and this chapter considers this process and its significance for studies, such as the present analysis. Finally, this chapter identifies the fundamental theoretical approach for this study to be liberal intergovernmentalism, deployed within a methodology of quantitative and qualitative research. Chapter Three consists of a review of related literature, subjected to comparative analysis and categorized on the basis of qualitative and quantitative sources. This chapter explores further the issue of the "literature gap" in existing studies, identifying areas in which this dissertation seeks to extend and innovate approaches to the issue under study. Chapter Four is devoted to an analysis of relevant data and its relationship to the theoretical model established in Chapter Two. Chapter Five returns to the research questions and seeks to answer them on the basis of the analytical, theoretical, and comparative work outlined in the preceding chapters. The final section of the dissertation is a conclusion in which the findings of the study are summarized and their relationship to the theoretical models used considered. This also provides a basis for the validity of the theoretical model used to be assessed and for possible avenues of further research to be outlined.
Outline
Introduction
The Problem
The Theoretical Approach
Literature Review
Analysis
Answering the Research Questions
From the Paper "The political and economic uncertainty in Russia during 1998-99, not surprisingly, had a deleterious effect on the implementation of the planned work programme and there was some disappointment on the EU side that more progress had not been made. At the second meeting of the Cooperation Council in May 1999 the official communiqu? was much more positive. In general, the PCA has had a major impact on the frequency and breadth of official contacts between the EU and Russia, and laid the basis for more effective cooperation on a wide range of policy areas."
Abstract This paper examines the economic situation in Moldova, focusing on the phenomenon of youth unemployment. It looks at the assistance being received by the World Bank and concludes that, with continued, but carefully managed and targeted support to address the specific problem of unemployment, emigration, and migration among the young, the future of Moldova is not as dismal as it seemed in the early 1990s.
From the Paper "One of the most critical concerns of the current Work Bank is the high rate of youth unemployment in South Eastern Europe. This phenomenon of high youth unemployment, it is feared, will lead to a state of increasing instability across the region. More and more young people in this region are aimless in life, and grow up without being instituted in an appropriate ?work culture.? Either they will emigrate, depleting their nations of young employees, or become drains on the economy. These countries are also afflicted by low birth rates, which will continue to create a diminished labor force."
Abstract The first former head-of-state to be tried for war crimes, Slobodan Milosevic, was a powerful leader in Yugoslavia. He is currently being tried at the Hague as a war criminal. This paper questions how war crimes trials worked in the past and how they will work in the future. The writer points out that by looking at the Milosevic case gives insight into the future of war crimes trials.
I. Introduction
II. Review of the Literature: Questions Surrounding War Crimes Trials
III. The Case of Slobodan Milosevic
IV. Revisiting the War Crimes Trials Questions
V. Implications for the Future
VI. Conclusion
VII. Bibliography
From the Paper "With the current trial of Slobodan Milosevic taking place at the Hague, war crimes trials have gained renewed interest. War crimes trials of the past look much different than those of today and likely those of the future. Looking at the Milosevic case, predictions can be made regarding the future of war crimes trials and how former heads of state may be tried. As the first former head of state to be tried for war crimes before an international tribunal, Milosevic's actions and the outcome of the case will set a precedent for all future war crimes trials."
Abstract This paper examines the history of Christianity in the county of Romania, beginning with the arrival of St. Andrew around the 1st century AD, who left a colorful legacy of Christian belief, doctrine, and even mythos in his wake. The paper discusses how Christianity is embedded in Romanian national identity and how the religion withstood years of Communist oppression.
From the Paper "Despite the overwhelming fears and destructiveness of the icon-breaking Communist governments, and the despotic rulers of other times the faith and the strength of the nation, as a self-defined Christian country is unflagging, and the new generations, unlike many other post-colonial populations, see Christianity in their future, rather than simply as a quaint part of their cultural past."
An analysis of traditional and modern societies during the European expansion, through a review of "European Expansion and the Civilization of Modernity" written by S. N. Elsenstadt.
Abstract This paper examines modernism in Europe and the rise of socialism in non-Western societies. The paper reviews S. N. Elsenstadt's "European Expansion and the Civilization of Modernity" and discusses Elsenstadt's arguments regarding the changes in the European expansion in non-Western societies, from being modernist to socialist, even traditionalist, societies. The paper argues that the retardation of modernism in non-Western societies is not exactly the abrupt stoppage of the European expansion.
From the Paper ""European expansion and the civilization of modernity" by S. N. Elsenstadt provides a through discussion and analysis of the dynamics concerning the European expansion, centering in particular on its effects in non-Western or Asian societies. Tracing the history of the European expansion from the emergence of industrialization to the development of capitalism in Western societies, the author seeks to determine what caused the seemingly contradicting development of the so-called "expansionist" movement of modernization in Europe. That is, instead of spreading modernization and capitalism in Asian societies, what occurred was the rise of socialism, which is a new form of society that overturns the basic premises of capitalism-in effect, modernization."
Abstract This paper discusses the impact of the European Union on the trade practices and commerce of the member nations. The paper compares the hurdles facing new members and then looks at the impact that entering into this organization has on a country.
From the Paper "With the onset of the new millennium there is a new greater focus on creating synergies amongst nations that used to be operating in a self-sufficient manner. These countries are facing the facts that in order to continue to create value and wealth, they must explore revenue streams outside their borders. In doing this, they are looking to distant countries that can create environments for growth possibilities. These countries represent areas that need products and services in which the suppliers are abundant. This allows each country to have a greater degree of specialization than ever thought."
Describes the ideas of four of Russia's prominent thinkers around the time of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution: Blok; Lunacharsky; Gershenzon; and Ivanov.
Abstract This paper discusses the works of four Russian thinkers and shows how their ideas helped to shape the emerging culture and its art. The works examined are "The Intelligentsia and the Revolution" by Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Blok, "The Collapse of Humanism" also by Blok, "Theses of the Art Section of Narkompros and the Central Committee of the Union of Art Workers Concerning Basic Policy in the Field of Art" by Lunacharsky, "Revolution and Art" also by Lunacharsky, and "Correspondence Across A Room" by Vsevolod Ivanov and Mikhail Osipovich Gershenzon.
From the Paper "In what is perhaps a more in-depth look at the changing values of the revolutionary culture, Ivanov and Gershenzon exchange a series of letters on the subject in Correspondence Across A Room, which is a compilation of their exchanges. Unlike Blok and Lunacharsky, these thinkers are less interested in designating the roles of various groups in the new culture, although they explore similar terrain. Each argues for a sort of "cultural renewal", in the sense that they argue for the continued vitality of the culture, but, excepting Lunacharsky, each of the aforementioned thinkers argues for this. What distinguishes Gershenzon's thinking, however, is that he makes a specific argument for cultural renewal, whereas Ivanov sees the continued vitality of the culture as being "preserved" through cultural memory."
