Abstract The paper provides an overview of the implementation of the euro in the European Union's member states. The paper then explores the potential adoption of the euro by Bulgaria and explains the disadvantages for the Bulgarian entrepreneurs and the general population. The paper discusses how when Bulgaria became a member of the EU with full rights, numerous investors from wealthier countries of the EU poured euros into the country that benefited Bulgarian entrepreneurs and the population alike. Finally, the paper offers recommendations on how the Bulgarian government can best cope with the future adoption of the euro as a national currency.
Outline:
Overview and Update on the Implementation of the Euro
Threats of the Euro upon Bulgarian Companies
Opportunities of the Euro upon Bulgarian Companies
Recommendations for National Policy and Bulgarian Companies
From the Paper "The euro was introduced on the 1st of January 1999 to become the national currency of eleven state members. Its introduction lead to the transformation of national currencies into euros; foreign operations between the eleven countries begun to be carried out in euros; the new public debt would be issued in euros and the old public debt would be converted from the former currency into euros; all financial markets in the member states would issues their stocks and bonds in euros and the former national currencies would become denominations of the euro, to be completely eliminated by 2002."
Abstract This paper examines ethnic divisions in post-Communist Bulgaria. The primary division is between the Bulgar/Bulgarian Orthodox majority and the Muslim/Turk minority.
Abstract This paper is an analysis of the business climate in Bulgaria today. The writer notes ways in which the government has responded to economic issues, the success it has had, the direction of the economy today, and potential political changes. The writer discusses these issues all with an eye to deciding whether to take part in a project to develop an airport security system for the country on a program paid for by grant money.
From the Paper "A project is proposed to update and create a comprehensive Security Master Plan for the Bulgarian airline industry, and this project is to be contracted to an American company, with funding in place from a $296,530 grant to from the USTDA. The company interested must decide if the situation in Bulgaria makes it conducive to the company to apply for this project. The analysis of the Bulgarian economy shows that it is improving greatly and continuing to grow, and an analysis of the political situation shows that it is stable. Based on the analyses, the company should seek the contract."
Abstract This paper discusses the political and economic transition made by three East European countries after the fall of the Soviet Union. The writer shows how the political system and the economic systems are linked and how success in one aids with the other. Further the writer points out how well Bulgaria has done and how Romania has also achieved change, while Albania has had a more difficult time.
From the Paper "After the breakup of the Soviet Union and the Soviet bloc it controlled, the different countries of Eastern Europe faced the need to develop political and economic systems of their own. Pressure from the West was directed toward getting these states to create more democratic institutions and a free market system, though there were many obstacles to these goals, including history and the dire economic problems facing many of these countries. As a result, it is not surprising that results have been mixed, with different countries achieving different levels of development and political systems with differing degrees of democracy."
Abstract A common trend of reduction of a state's social policy scope after a fiscal crisis has been reflected in the reform path pursued by Ireland ,and even more so ,the case of Bulgaria. The paper shows that, in both cases, the start of reforms has been triggered by a crisis, and the ongoing reform strategies are being shaped by the different economic pressures and political priorities pursued by the two countries, which are standing at different phases of economic development and integration with the European Union. The paper explains that the cases of Ireland and Bulgaria are informative of the diversity of responses different polities may adopt in the face of similar economic challenges, like fiscal imbalance. While Ireland was able to confront the situation in a framework of a broad political and social consensus, in Bulgaria, the beginning of a consistent reform process was only possible after a reform-minded party was able to collect the votes necessary to form a government. The paper also makes extensive use of tables.
From the Paper "The economic success of the country over the period covered by the first agreement (PNR) was apparently convincing enough to keep the policy to this day. Throughout the 1990s labour relations in Ireland are dealt with via three-year agreements with titles such as ?Program for Economic and Social Progress,? ?Program for Competitiveness and Work,? and (starting 2000) ?Program for Prosperity and Fairness.? The late 1980s and early 1990s were marked by a great progress in reducing deficit and attracting FDI. Unemployment however remained a major concern throughout the beginning of the reform period (standing at 17.4% in 1986); it only began to decline since 1993. Nonetheless now, more than a decade after the beginning of reforms in Ireland unemployment is also fully contained at a level of around 4% in 2000. Active labour market policies absorbed as much as 1.75% GDP in the mid-1990s."
Abstract The paper explains that countries on a path of economic transition begin with price liberalization, followed by a stabilization policy involving an attempt to impose a tight monetary and fiscal policy. The paper discusses the decline of the free health-care systems in both Romania and Bulgaria. The paper cites some atrocities that have happened in Romania and as a result of these atrocities, positive steps have been taken to improve the health-care in Romania. The paper explains that in Bulgaria, patients cannot afford to fill prescriptions because the low wages make it unaffordable. In conclusion, the writer explains that the minimum wage in these countries fell below the poverty line. The writer states that as a result of this, the minimum wage has lost its function as an anchor of the social protection system.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Medical Care
- Romania
- Bulgaria Historically
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "In the second case, local health authorities, faced with growing popular discontent over the crumbling medical care system, have pledged to find a quick answer to the problem of the dead babies, who were between one month and two years old and were abandoned at the Cluj hospital. "Both cases have sharply highlighted the need for comprehensive health reform in Romania, which, along with neighboring Bulgaria, has the worst health-care system in the former Communist countries of Eastern and Central Europe. "In Romania and Bulgaria, health care is in theory free and guaranteed to everyone. The reality is that most services must be paid for by a fairly formalized system of cash gifts, tips and outright bribes -- a practice that started in the Communist days and has not changed since the advent of the free-market economy."
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."
Examines the history of religion in Bulgaria, focusing on the tribulations of the Bulgarian Orthodox church through both Ottoman and communist periods of domination, persecution and repression.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 4 sources, 1993, $ 39.95
From the Paper "Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
Introduction
In looking at the history of Europe, it is interesting to explore how the separate countries and national groups responded to very similar events. Some countries developed considerable religious tolerance. Others were anti.Semitic in the extreme. In the case of Bulgaria, it responded to the Ottoman occupation of the country in a way substantially different from the Albanians. While most Albanians in the 20th century remain Islamic, most Bulgarians remain members of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. While the Orthodox Church failed to hold the people together in Albania, it succeeded in Bulgaria."
Abstract The paper decribes both Welsh and Bulgarian costumes and their similarities and differences. The paper discusses how the color and design of a woman's dress in Bulgaria gives her a local identity, as well as a national one, while the dress of a Welsh woman may identify her as a nationalist, and one who identifies with a period of history when Welsh culture was being revived and recreated.
From the Paper "Traditional costume serves many functions, and in the past has been used both as decoration, and as a national inspiration. Bulgarian costume, for example which developed in the middle ages, has used its national costume for both folk festivals, the one at Koprivshtitsa for example (Eliznik, 2005), and also as a symbol of its struggles for independence: the fashion for Chernodreshna, a particular kind of male costume, "Was the result of the new social, economic, and cultural context." (Omda, 2007). Wales, in comparison, came relatively late to traditional costume, the dress which is associated with Wales only being developed in the mid-nineteenth century. Later on, it became a symbol of Welsh nationalism: "Wearing a costume enabled people to declare their national identity in a period when it was under threat" (Winter, 2006)"
Tags: culture, identity, clothing, dress, style, color
Describes political & economic revolutions during & after 1989. Examined in terms of elections & democracy, privatization, transition to free-market economy, reform, leadership and German reunification.
2,475 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 6 sources, 1994, $ 87.95
From the Paper " The rise to power across Eastern Europe of a new revolutionary class of dissidents in 1989 and 1990--this time a class of anti-communist dissidents--has been one of the most dramatic changes in contemporary politics. Throughout Eastern Europe, thousands marched for freedom and bulldozers leveled statues of communist heroes, leaving Vladimer Lenin lying face down in the streets of a new era. Political parties headed by opponents of communist rule came to power through free elections in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia; the communist regime of the German Democratic Republic was ousted by anti-communist dissidents, preparing the way for unification with West Germany; and non-communist political parties appeared for the first time since the Second World War in Bulgaria and Romania.
Partly because of a desire for a peaceful transition and.."
An exaxmination of the historical evolution of political and economic systems from the feudal era to communism to post-communism, emphasizing the 20th century birth of nations, WWII, leadership, industry, Soviet control and the collapse of Soviet system.
4,500 words (approx. 18 pages), 9 sources, 1994, $ 135.95
From the Paper " Eastern Europe has ceased to exist. This artificial creation of Yalta existed only as long as the Soviet army could support the doubtful legitimacy of communist regimes throughout the region. When it became obvious that the Soviets were not going to use force to stop the wave of change in their European empire, the only thing needed was the first hole in the dike. After the change of government in Poland and the collapse of the communist party in Hungary, no one could stop the flood of freedom. The pace of events was astonishing. In a matter of just a few years, the Berlin wall was dismantled allowing for the reunification of East and West Germany and communism collapsed in virtually every nation of the region from Romania to Bulgaria.
The purpose of this research is to examine the political and economic developments in Eastern Europe as revealed in the..."
Abstract This paper briefly reviews the work by Bar-Zohar called "Beyond Hitler's Grasp". The paper begins by stating that Peshev's story, along with many others, was long forgotten but has been revived, and he has become a major heroic figure in Bulgaria. The writer explores the actions of the main character Peshev, in light of his Bulgarian nationality and background and the risks he faced in helping the Jews the way he did.
From the Paper "Dimiter Peshev was the vice president of the Bulgarian Parliament, and when he heard the rumors of the impending deportations of the Jews, he formed an action group in the town of Kustendil. He took his case to higher-ups, appearing before the minister of the interior to insist that the deportation orders be altered immediately. Peshev was particularly motivated by humanitarian concerns, but he also had political motivations because in the aftermath of the German failure at Stalingrad, it was believed that Bulgaria should not become involved in such a monstrous act because that would endanger her chances of disengaging from the German alliance when necessary."
Abstract This paper describes Robert Kaplan's portrayal of the Soviet, Ottoman, and Hellenistic empires. It summarizes Kaplan's depiction of Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria and several Russian Republics. The paper also points out how some of Kaplan's personal and political experiences influenced his writing.
From the Paper "In Eastward to Tartary, Robert Kaplan takes us on a journey through the wreckage of empires: Soviet, Ottoman, and Hellenistic. His path winds from Hungary through Romania and Bulgaria and then on to Turkey, Syria, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. He introduces us to the social and political climates of countries that were shrouded in mystery under communism or largely ignored due to American unfamiliarity with the region. Unlike Paul Thoureaux and other American writers, Kaplan seems to have an interest in the political and demographic situation of the region, and we see these countries portrayed through the eyes of a student of socio-political environments."
Tags: azerbaijan, turkmenistan, magyar, eastern, europe, ceausescu, Bucharest
Abstract This three-page undergraduate paper is intended to explain how the four states of Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia came to be ruled by Communist parties during the period 1944-1948.
Abstract This paper explains that the concept, which years later became the EU, began in 1948 as the Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC), whose job it was to advance the rebuilding of war-torn Europe and to help distribute American financial aid (Marshall Aid) for Western Europe. The author points out that, while the overall trend is toward greater regionalization in Europe, there is a great deal of variation among countries, with the smaller countries such as Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark demonstrating little change. The paper concludes that all European countries need a more decentralized system that promotes effective and efficient public service, increased transparency, and accountability.
From the Paper "Basically, Belgium's commitment to the process of unification after the war has placed it in its current position of power (International Herald Tribune, 2003). At the heart of Europe since the 1950?s, Belgium has embraced most core EU polices, from the creation of a single currency to the abolition of passport controls within the Schengen zone (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain). A stable democracy with a decentralized government, Belgium has low inflation and slow but steady economic growth, forecast to reach 1.8 percent in 2004. The country has grown over the past three decades into a decentralized state, whose power rests with the three regional governments: Flanders in the north, Wallonia in the south and Brussels as an autonomous region near the center of the country. With one of the EU's most open economies, Belgium welcomes foreign investment, and its economic policies do not distinguish between domestic and foreign companies."
