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82. The Third Yugoslavia, 1992 - 2001
- Author:
- Sabrina P. Ramet
- Publication Date:
- 06-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- The Milosevic regime was a classic example of what has been called a “democradura,” i.e., a system which combined some of the mechanisms of democracy (with the result that Milosevic's Socialists were, at one point, forced to enter into a coalition with Seselj's Radicals, in order to form a government) with many overtly authoritarian features (among which one might mention the constriction of press freedom, the use of the police against the political opposition, and systematic violations of human rights). It was also a regime which drew its energy from the manipulation of Serbian nationalism, even if, as has been argued, Milosevic himself was not an ideological nationalist. To the extent that xenophobia lay at the heart of Serbian nationalism, the regime found itself relying on an ideology which consisted of an explicit repudiation of such values as tolerance, equality of peoples, respect for the harm principle, and individual rights.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Democratization, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Yugoslavia
83. The Poles and Their Past: Society, Historiography and the Legislation Process
- Author:
- Andrzej Paczkowski
- Publication Date:
- 05-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- The Polish nation had experienced both Nazism and communism. These were not equal experiences, and social memory about them differs to a considerable degree. In order to perform such an operation, it would be necessary to halt history in June 1941. Since it is impossible to stop history in order to examine the period from mid-September 1939 to June 1941, it is helpful to study Polish recollections of their experiences so as to understand their continued impact on national history and memory.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Human Welfare, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Europe
84. Violence Against Women in Post-communist Societies: Benefits and Changes
- Author:
- Vesna Nikolic-Ristanovic
- Publication Date:
- 05-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- Social changes, which recently occurred in post-communist countries, brought new opportunities for positive developments and offered the possibility of choice. In most countries, the social transition brought an opening of borders, enabling an influx of positive as well as negative influences. However, even the general positive impact of social changes is typically followed by more negative consequences in the everyday life of the people. The most dramatic consequences of social transition, manifested in a significant rise of unemployment and the loss of many social benefits. These developments are directly related to the replacement of planned, centralized economies by the market and the privatization of state property. Most people lost their previous social security benefits and, despite the fact that the general character of communism was “equality in poverty,” the social transition was a source of serious stress and numerous existential problems. This was further intensified by the fact that, at the same time, the growing import of both material goods and the American way of thinking, i.e. consumerism spirit of the West, urged people to achieve their “American dreams” at any cost.
- Topic:
- Conflict Prevention, Civil Society, Human Welfare, and Privatization
- Political Geography:
- America and Europe
85. Decentralization and Regionalization after Communism: Lessons from Administrative and Territorial Reform in Poland and the Czech Republic
- Author:
- Jennifer Yoder
- Publication Date:
- 04-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- While the regional level of authority has gained much attention in recent years in Western Europe, Eastern Europe is still emerging from decades of centralization and homogenization under communism. Several post-communist countries, however, have taken steps toward administrative decentralization and territorial regionalization. This article explores possible reasons for taking these steps and traces the progress of administrative and territorial reform in two post-communist cases: Poland and the Czech Republic. The conclusion considers several implications of these reforms for domestic politics and foreign relations.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Government, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Europe
86. The Limits of Conditionality: Nuclear Reactor Safety in Central and Eastern Europe, 1991 - 2001
- Author:
- John Van Oudenaren
- Publication Date:
- 03-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- Conditionality has become an increasingly prominent feature of international politics in recent years.1 Once mainly associated with the macroeconomic stabilization programs of the IMF, since the collapse of communism it has been used by the EU, NATO, the OECD, and the Council of Europe to promote a variety of political, economic, and social objectives – everything from abolishing the death penalty to privatizing national monopolies. With increased use has come increased controversy. Critics of conditionality argue that it is often applied in ways that ride roughshod over national sovereignty, ignore local circumstances, and impose economic hardship. Others note the frequent inability of recipients of conditional aid to fulfill commitments to international donors. Even when measured by its own narrow objectives, they argue, conditionality often fails.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Europe
87. MAP Reading: NATO's and Russia's Pathways to European Military Integration
- Author:
- Stephen Blank
- Publication Date:
- 02-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- As part of NATO's and Europe's continuing and open-ended processes of enlargement and military-political integration, in 1999, NATO presented aspiring members with a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to guide them in their activities preparing their governments and armed forces for membership in NATO. The MAP, if fulfilled according to NATO's requirements and approbation, allegedly would make the aspiring members' military forces more nearly congruent or interoperable with NATO forces. With this document, NATO has arguably created its own version of the EU's acquis communautaire “against which the Alliance can assess the technical preparations and capacities of the nine MAP partners and judge their readiness for membership.”
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Europe
88. Commentaries: The U.S. National Intelligence Council's Global Trends 2015: Excerpts, Commentaries, And Response
- Author:
- Ellen Laipson, Michael A. Ledeen, Michael J. White, John Gannon, Eugene J. Carroll, Richard P. Cincotta, Johanna Mendelson Forman, Michael Hanssler, Liliana Hisas, Leslie Johnston, Gavin Kitchingham, Gayl D. Ness, David Rejeski, Ervin J. Rokke, Judith Shapiro, Aleksei V. Yablokov, and Arno Weinmann
- Publication Date:
- 01-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- In January 2001, the U.S. National Intelligence Council (NIC), a center within the Central Intelligence Agency that provides the agency's director with mid- and long-term strategic thinking and direction, published Global Trends 2015: A Dialogue About the Future with Nongovernmental Experts. This unclassified and public report, which expanded on the NIC's previous effort Global Trends 2010, takes a look at the world over the next 15 years from the perspective of the national security policymaker.
- Topic:
- Security, Development, Environment, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- United States
89. Environmental Stress and Human Security in Northern Pakistan
- Author:
- Richard A. Matthew
- Publication Date:
- 01-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- Environmental and social factors are generating high levels of conflict and insecurity in Northern Pakistan. Several factors make this case an important subject for analysis and discussion: (a) the strategic location of the region; (b) the potential for far-reaching and even global consequences should conflict spill across the borders and into countries such as Afghanistan and India; and (c) the similarities between this case and many others in the world. The article concludes with policy suggestions for both domestic and foreign parties concerned about the situation.
- Topic:
- Security, Development, Environment, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India
90. Conflict: A Cause and Effect of Hunger
- Author:
- Marc J. Cohen, Ellen Messer, and Thomas Marchione
- Publication Date:
- 01-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- Ensuring food security—especially in Africa—depends on breaking cycles of hunger and conflict. Whether one believes that (a) environmental scarcities (including food insecurity) can cause conflict, or (b) that conflict is primarily caused by political factors, it is indisputable that access to food is always disrupted by conflict. Much has been written about the linkages between environmental scarcities, hunger, and conflict. This article (a) highlights certain gaps in the information about the steps that lead from hunger to conflict, and then (b) suggests policies and actions to break these connections.
- Topic:
- Security, Development, Environment, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Africa