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322. A European Balkans?
- Author:
- Daniel Serwer, Jacques Rupnik, and Boris Shmelev
- Publication Date:
- 01-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Centre for European Policy Studies
- Abstract:
- The Chairman recalled the reasons for holding this particular session. On the one hand, at the Thessaloniki meeting of the European Council (June 2003), the prospect was laid out of the Balkans being included, over time, within the European Union; hence, the title of the session. How that vision is to be fulfilled is obviously very much open to question, which is indeed one of reasons underlying the work of the new International Commission on the Balkans chaired by former Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato. On the other hand, short-term events are going to put the Balkans at the centre of European concerns over the coming months in the run-up to the final status discussions in mid-2005: the Macedonian referendum in early November, the deployment of European Union forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina (operation Altea) in December and the rising expectations of Kosovar Albanians following the October 2004 elections. To introduce the session three papers were presented.
- Topic:
- Security
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Bosnia, Eastern Europe, Balkans, and Macedonia
323. Collective Bargaining Practices in Eastern Europe: Case Study Evidence from Romania
- Author:
- Aurora Trif
- Publication Date:
- 11-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Research Papers Archive
- Abstract:
- There are several studies on recent developments in collective bargaining in Eastern Europe, but there is still a debate about the extent to which collective bargaining practices resemble those in continental Western Europe. This paper aims to contribute to this debate, by examining primary data on collective bargaining practices in Romania using an actor-centred institutionalist approach. It focuses on collective bargaining in four large chemical companies. Comparisons are made to other countries in order to highlight the developments in Romanian cases. Unexpectedly, the study's findings point to an increase in state intervention in establishing the terms and conditions of employment after 1989, due to the state's new roles during the transformation process that affected job security. The study suggests a considerable increase in the influence of top managers in determining pay and working conditions, while trade unions retained the considerable influence over social benefits in large companies. The findings show continuance of certain pre-1989 practices, such as a persistence of high state intervention and a limited independence of the trade unions from the management. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of institutional changes in the context of a shift from a centrally planned economy to a market-based economy.
- Topic:
- Economics, Emerging Markets, and International Trade and Finance
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Romania
324. The Development and the Prospects of the Czech Left – the Role of the Communist Party
- Author:
- Vladimír Handl
- Publication Date:
- 12-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Institute of International Relations Prague
- Abstract:
- The parties of the Czech left have enjoyed a nominal majority in the House of Representatives of the Czech Parliament: the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) gained 70 seats and the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) 41 seats during the elections in June 2002. Both parties have so far used this political potential with caution.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution and Treaties and Agreements
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Eastern Europe
325. Competition Law and Policy in Turkey
- Publication Date:
- 09-2005
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- The evolution of Turkey's economy from a government-controlled regime to market-based competition led to the enactment in 1994 of the Act on the Protection of Competition (“Competition Act”) and the creation of the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”). Final impetus for the legislation was Turkey's negotiation of a customs union agreement with the European Union, which obliged Turkey to enact the EU's standard competition provisions as its own law and to establish an agency to enforce them.
- Topic:
- Economics, Government, and Markets
- Political Geography:
- Turkey and Eastern Europe
326. Economic Survey of Hungary, 2005
- Publication Date:
- 07-2005
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- The composition of growth of the Hungarian economy has become healthier and real convergence looks set to be on a sustainable path. While most reforms to establish a flourishing market economy have been carried out and the current government is launching a new reform initiative of "100 Steps", more needs to be done in two broad areas in order to maintain high growth: Achieving a smooth entry into the euro area: Frequently missed policy targets, tensions between the government and the Central Bank and stubbornly high twin deficits have established an unhealthy climate of financial volatility, which contrasts with and may even risk threatening the rather smooth process of real convergence. Increasing trend growth by both raising the employment potential and trend productivity growth: A large share of Hungarians with some work capacity is not working in part because of the way social benefits are designed. Low employment is aggravated by impediments to regional mobility of the labour force. Hungary needs to move further up the value added chain. This process for the time being rests very much on investments by foreign companies while innovative activities and commercial applications of own research remain limited.
- Topic:
- Development, Economics, and Government
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Hungary
327. SALW Awareness in Schools - Towards a National Curriculum
- Publication Date:
- 04-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
- Abstract:
- Children are naturally curious. This leaves them vulnerable to small arms and light weapons (SALW), because while playing they may search for them, or try to handle booby-traps, abandoned weapons and explosives outdoors. While it is common knowledge that young people, especially boys, display a fascination for guns, research such as that cited in Figures 1 and 22 shows the huge gap between what parents would expect children to do when placed in a context where weapons are present, and what they really do.
- Topic:
- Arms Control and Proliferation, Civil Society, and Education
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe
328. SASP Test in North East Serbia Evaluation Report
- Publication Date:
- 03-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
- Abstract:
- The initial idea for the project was to implement a targeted SALW Awareness campaign around the town of Zrenjanin in North East Serbia. As well as aiming to have a positive effect on the attitudes of local people towards firearms possession and safety, the project was designed as a test for the principles of the SEESAC SALW Awareness Support Pack (SASP) in a project with limited resources at its disposal; (the total budget for all project activities was US$10,000). The project also offered a local NGO, European Movement Zrenjanin, the opportunity to build capacities in carrying out an awareness campaign following the principles of SASP.
- Topic:
- Arms Control and Proliferation, Civil Society, and Crime
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Serbia
329. Taming the Arsenal – Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bulgaria
- Publication Date:
- 03-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
- Abstract:
- Taming the Arsenal – Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bulgaria, is a report on the findings of research conducted on questions relating to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Bulgaria from July to November 2004 by the Sofia-based Center for the Study of Democracy, and London-based Saferworld. It sets out the findings of a comprehensive assessment of the 1) distribution of SALW in Bulgaria; 2) the impacts of SALW on individuals, communities and the state; 3) public perceptions of SALW and security; and 4) the capacity of the state to control the proliferation and misuse of SALW.
- Topic:
- Arms Control and Proliferation, Civil Society, and Crime
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe, London, and Bulgaria
330. Living with the Legacy: SALW Survey Republic of Serbia
- Publication Date:
- 03-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
- Abstract:
- This survey represents the findings of a comprehensive assessment of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) situation in the Republic of Serbia. It examines the distribution of SALW; the impact of SALW on individuals, communities and the state; public perceptions of SALW and security; and the capacity of the state to control proliferation and misuse.
- Topic:
- Arms Control and Proliferation, Civil Society, and Government
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Serbia