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422. Regional Integration through the Stability Pact
- Author:
- Frederic Labarre
- Publication Date:
- 02-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Austrian National Defence Academy
- Abstract:
- This paper attempts to argue that the current structure of relations in South East Europe (SEE) and in the Balkans in particular requires regional, or local, integration before any membership in greater bodies (like the European Union) can be considered.
- Topic:
- Security, International Cooperation, and International Organization
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Eastern Europe, and Balkans
423. Elements for a Structural Constructivist Theory of Politics and of European Integration
- Author:
- Niilo Kauppi
- Publication Date:
- 07-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
- Abstract:
- Pierre Bourdieu's structural constructivist theory of politics offers powerful instruments for a critical analysis of political power. In this paper, I explore structural constructivism as a theory of politics and of European integration. By structural constructivism I refer to a mostly French research tradition that develops some of Bourdieu's theoretical tools. In European studies, social constructivism has provided an alternative to traditional approaches such as intergovernmentalism and neofunctionalism. Structural constructivism remedies some of the weaknesses of most versions of social constructivism, such as their diffuse conception of power and ideational notion of culture. This paper develops a structural constructivist approach that examines the European Union as a multileveled and polycentric emerging political field.
- Topic:
- International Organization and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Europe
424. Does the process really matter? Some reflections on the "legitimating effect" of the European Convention
- Author:
- Paul Magnette
- Publication Date:
- 07-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
- Abstract:
- The European Convention, set up by the Heads of state and governments during the Laeken Summit of December 2001, was presented by its initiators as a means of strengthening the legitimacy of the EU. Is this a rhetorical argument of politicians, which could be explained by the intense electoral cycle of 2002- 2004? Or is there something, in the process of the Convention, that could change the nature of the EU constitution?
- Topic:
- International Organization and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Europe
425. Labor Market Institutions and Unemployment: A Critical Assessment of the Cross-Country Evidence
- Author:
- Dean Baker, John Schmitt, and Andrew Glyn
- Publication Date:
- 05-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
- Abstract:
- In the last twenty five years, there has been a sharp divergence in trends in the unemployment rate among OECD countries, with some seeing much larger increases in unemployment than others. This divergence is usually explained by institutions that lead to labor market inflexibility – generous unemployment benefits, employment protections, and strong unions – in countries with high unemployment rates. This paper examines the evidence for this view. It shows that there is no simple bivariate relationship between standard measures of labor market institutions and unemployment rates across countries. It then critically examines several of the most often cited studies that support the labor market inflexibility view. It finds that these studies present relatively weak and to some extent contradictory support for the labor market inflexibility view. Finally, the paper presents the results of a set of tests designed to replicate some of the earlier multivariate analyses with more current data. These tests consistently fail to find robust evidence to support the labor market inflexibility view.
- Topic:
- Economics and International Organization
- Political Geography:
- Europe
426. Survey of SSR Regional and Sub-Regional Networks
- Publication Date:
- 10-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
- Abstract:
- The enclosed survey was conducted in order to map all regional and sub regional networks working in the field of Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of mapping SSR networks in these regions is multi-fold. Firstly it is imperative that at a time when security has taken a truly global dimension and span, academics and practitioners alike are aware of the state of SSR in different regions. Certain similarities and patterns emerge during the analysis that offer lessons and directions for actors wishing to become involved in SSR in a particular region, or searching for guidance in applying best practices and lessons learned to particular situations. Secondly, exchange of experience and ideas is especially important in supporting South-South dialogue, but the value of cooperation cannot be overemphasized given the often-unclear context in which SSR activities take place. The mapping exercise serves as an entry-point for practitioners to identify existing networks and their areas of expertise. Opportunities for collaboration are made possible by identifying other organisations that are pursuing similar goals. Additionally, the map of SSR networks serves to identify possible gaps in scope of activity and highlights entry points for other organisations and networks to further the objectives of security sector management and reform. Lastly, this exercise will serve as a vehicle for the GFN-SSR to develop ways to strengthen its activities. One way in which the GFN-SSR is already adding value is through the development of its website, which, inter alia, offers a newsletter in four languages, i.e., English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. An activity to reinforce the access to information for those in areas of poor connectivity is already being developed through the conception of a CD-ROM containing all the existing website information for distribution on a timely basis to interested organisations.
- Topic:
- Security, Development, and International Organization
- Political Geography:
- Africa, America, Europe, Asia, South America, Latin America, Central America, and Caribbean
427. Aims, Objectives and Activities of the Security Network Symposium
- Author:
- Rocklyn Williams
- Publication Date:
- 07-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
- Abstract:
- This concept paper sets out the background, guiding framework and focus of the forthcoming 'Security Network Symposium' to be held in Maputo, Mozambique between 30 June and 1 July 2003. This document presents a general background to the challenges of peace, security and stability facing regional and sub-regional organisations in Africa and an overview of the existing African civil networks, as well as African networks in the security sector. The remaining sections, which form the main thrust of the paper, spell out the core objectives of the Maputo meeting, define the scope of security sector networks, prescribe the issues that require discussion, and propose a range of desirable outputs from the meeting.
- Topic:
- Security, International Organization, and Peace Studies
- Political Geography:
- Africa
428. Some Welfare Implications of 'Who Goes First?' in WTO Negotiations
- Author:
- Basudeb Guha-Khasnobis
- Publication Date:
- 09-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- United Nations University
- Abstract:
- We envisage a logical framework to explain why some trade negotiations are delayed because parties differ on who should 'go first'. In our model, there are substantive welfare implications depending on which party sets tariff rates (or subsidies) first in a strategic optimization exercise. When knowledge about cost levels are incomplete or missing, and hence must be guessed with a probability, the chances of conflict regarding who goes first are extremely high in the situation modeled in this paper. As an institution with some power to set the rules of negotiations, the WTO should be able to anticipate such conflicts in upcoming negotiations. It can then set the rule (in this case, dictate who should go first) depending on whose interest it wants to protect. There is a wide range of choices for the WTO in this regard: OECD consumer's surplus, OECD producers' loss, net exports of developing countries, firm profits, or even, world welfare as the sum of all these components.
- Topic:
- Development, International Organization, International Political Economy, and International Trade and Finance
429. South Eastern Europe: From Stabiliation to European Integration
- Author:
- Erhard Busek
- Publication Date:
- 04-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- SEE remains an important area worthy of continued international attention and support. Things have improved but still a way to go before stability and prosperity are assured. Djindic assassination is a challenge yet also an opportunity. Responsibility primarily falls on to shoulders of the EU, both in terms of financial resources and political engagement. EU accept s this and US actively supports it. SP is one manifestation. SEE-EU Thessaloniki Summit represents centerpiece of this year's boost to the prospects for eventual integration into Europe. It will be an opportunity to signal EU political intentions as to next steps in the entire region. In my view this can only be a reaffirmed perspective for future membership. We need to show concrete results in order to avoid “fatigue” in competition with Iraq, North Korea and other hot spots.
- Topic:
- International Organization
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Israel
430. The South Caucasus: a challenge for the EU
- Author:
- Dov Lynch
- Publication Date:
- 12-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Union Institute for Security Studies
- Abstract:
- The South Caucasus contains three states that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union: Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Geographically, the region is populated by some fifteen million people, links the Caspian Sea basin to the Black Sea on an east-to-west axis, and is the juncture between the greater Middle East, Turkey and Iran, and the Russian Federation. This chapter will introduce a number of themes that run through this Chaillot Paper. The first part examines the nature of the 'transition' that the three South Caucasian states have undergone with a view to understanding the scale of their transformation. A second part discusses dimensions of state weakness across the region. Next, the chapter considers the impact of third parties on regional security/insecurity, and finally it outlines the structure of the volume.
- Topic:
- Security and International Organization
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Europe, Iran, Central Asia, Turkey, Caucasus, Middle East, Soviet Union, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia