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121. Agglomeration in Europe in the Context of Socio-Ecological Transition

Author:
Constantin Zaman and Izabela Marcinkowska
Publication Date:
12-2012
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
This paper analyses the spatial distribution of economic activity in the European Union at NUTS2 level over the 2001-2010 period. The aim of the study is twofold: (i) to provide descriptive evidence of the agglomeration distribution in Europe and its evolution over time across countries; (ii) to identify the nature of agglomeration and the factors that determine its level, with particular attention paid to the socio-ecological transformation occurring in Europe. The study concludes that: a) the changes in agglomeration are sensitive to demographic transformations taking place; b) the ecological transformation has a mixed effect, depending on each country; c) significant differences are observed between new and old Member States; the crisis has had a significant influence on agglomeration but only in Western Europe.
Topic:
European Union, Inequality, Economy, and Agglomeration
Political Geography:
Europe

122. The Failed Political Economy of the Euro Crisis

Author:
Anders Åslund
Publication Date:
01-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
The euro crisis has been extensively discussed in terms of economics, finance, political intrigues, and European Institutions, but a key aspect—the political economy of the crisis—has received little attention. Politicians and social scientists from emerging economies, especially Eastern Europe, look with amazement at this oversight.
Topic:
Political Economy, Finance, Crisis Management, Macroeconomics, and Social Science
Political Geography:
Europe and Eastern Europe

123. Provision of Long Term Care for the Elderly in Poland in Comparison to Other European Countries

Author:
Izabela Styczynska
Publication Date:
02-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
In recent years, population ageing has attracted the attention of research and policy advisors in all European countries. Several policy actions have been directed toward ensuring optimal long-term care (LTC) for elderly people while maintaining fiscal rationality. LTC systems are very different across all European countries. Their design is characterized by diverse arrangements for the provision of care/organization and financing. Despite general concerns, the Polish LTC system is still at the bottom of the pile in terms of the organization and provision of care.
Topic:
Social Policy, Aging, Social Services, and Labor Market
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

124. Is Free Trade with the EU Good for Ukraine?

Author:
Marek Dabrowski and Svitlana Taran
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
The negotiations on the Association Agreement (AA) between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine, including its trade component, i.e., the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), were completed in December 2011. The agreement is practically ready to be signed, if the EU’s concerns related to the deteriorating political freedoms in Ukraine are addressed. The ball is now in Ukraine’s court and the correct and rapid response is crucial for the country’s future. Both the AA and the DCFTA offer Ukraine an opportunity to deepen its political and economic relations with the EU and modernize its own economy and state institutions. However, if fundamental economic, political, and institutional reforms are not accelerated and conducted in a more comprehensive and consistent way, the prospect of implementing the DCFTA (and its potential benefits) will come under question.
Topic:
Globalization, European Union, Free Trade, Trade, and Economic Integration
Political Geography:
Europe, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe

125. The global crisis: Have we learned the right lessons?

Author:
György Surányi
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
The global crisis, which was the worst economic and financial downturn since the Great Depression, revealed the fundamental deficiencies in the global financial system and drastically changed the way we view the world and the global financial system. The crisis challenged long-standing views and ideas, and in response, after the most acute phase of the crisis, joint global efforts were launched to put the system on firm footing again and prevent the next crisis. These efforts can only be successful if we fully understand the root causes of the crisis and learn the right lessons from it. In his E-brief Dr. György Surányi focuses on four topics: regulation, external position, monetary policy and the European debt crisis. This E-brief is based on Dr György Surányi’s presentation at the CASE 2011 International Conference on Europe 2000: Exploring the Future of European Integration held on November 18-19, 2011.
Topic:
Debt, Monetary Policy, Regulation, and Economic Crisis
Political Geography:
Europe

126. Will Europe Fall into a Japanese-Style Stagnation Trap?

Author:
Peter Harrold
Publication Date:
04-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
Can Europe avoid falling in to a Japanese-style stagnation trap? In this type of trap, we see a repeated cycle of a financial crisis leading to a fiscal crisis, leading to a decline in consumer and investor confidence, and a resulting fall in demand. The decline in growth that inevitably follows simply causes the cycle to repeat itself. In theory, this should lead to improved competitiveness, but in Japan the forces of decline outweighed any boost in export demand. This E-brief is based on Peter Harrold’s presentation at the CASE 2011 International Conference on "Europe 2000: Exploring the Future of European Integration" held on November 18-19, 2011.
Topic:
Financial Crisis, Crisis Management, Economic Policy, Exports, Macroeconomics, and Strategic Competition
Political Geography:
Japan, Europe, and Asia

127. The need for contingency planning: potential scenarios of Eurozone disintegration

Author:
Marek Dabrowski
Publication Date:
06-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
Since the beginning of 2010, the common currency area in Europe found itself under serious strain as a consequence of the sovereign debt crisis in several member states. While a substantial political and financial effort has been made to avoid a collapse of the Euro project, its ultimate outcome remains uncertain due to continuous financial market pressures and political challenges faced by individual member states. Therefore, one cannot entirely rule out the possibility of either a partial or total breakup of the Eurozone, even if such a demise would bring about disastrous economic and political consequences for the entire EU and its external partners.
Topic:
Debt, European Union, Economic Policy, Macroeconomics, and Eurozone
Political Geography:
Europe

128. The Impact of Remittances on Poland’s Economy

Author:
Irena Topińska, Katarzyna Pietka-Kosinska, and Luca Barbone
Publication Date:
09-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
This E-Brief reports on the results obtained with respect to the macroeconomic impact of remittances (simulated through a macro model of the Polish economy), as well as their effect at the household level and in terms of their regional distribution. The authors show that remittances have had a significant and positive impact on the Polish economy, and that the impact can be expected to increase with the expected rise in labor mobility in Europe over the next few years. This E-Brief is a summary of the report titled “Wpływ przepływów pieniężnych na polską gospodarkę w latach 1992-2012 – raport Western Union, przygotowany przez Centrum Analiz Społeczno-Ekonomicznych - CASE”, (Effects of Remittances on the Polish economy in the years 1992-2012 – report Western Union, prepared by CASE).
Topic:
Finance, Economy, Macroeconomics, and Remittances
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

129. How to improve the economic and social performance of Eastern and Southern Mediterranean countries

Author:
Luc De Wulf and Marek Dabrowski
Publication Date:
11-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
The Eastern and Southern Mediterranean region has many advantages. Its proximity to European markets and its strategic location along the Mediterranean Sea help facilitate the trade of goods among Europe, Asia and Africa. The region has great historical and civilizational importance. It also has plentiful supplies of oil and natural gas resources and great demographic potential. Yet despite these many advantages, the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean region remains relatively backward in economic and social terms and is rightly considered a potential source of social and political instability. In this brief the authors analyze the key challenges facing the MED11 countries and propose policy measures that could improve the region’s economic and social performance.
Topic:
Markets, Macroeconomics, Trade, Economic Integration, and Instability
Political Geography:
Africa, Europe, Asia, and Mediterranean

130. Emerging from Crisis: the Mediterranean Neighborhood

Author:
Leonor Coutinho
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
"The financial crisis engulfed the entire world economy, but the impact was uneven across many regions and countries. Due to a lower degree of financial integration, many developing countries seem to have been far less affected. This apparent resilience has been observed among several of the EU's Mediterranean (MED) neighborhood countries. However, the region's underdeveloped financial markets may yet prove to be a long-term economic curse."
Topic:
Development, Globalization, Financial Crisis, European Union, Macroeconomics, and Trade
Political Geography:
Europe and Mediterranean