The problem of the quality of Latvia’s democracy during the period of EU membership (2004-2020) is studied. Latvia’s progress / regression in strengthening the stability of the principles and values ...of liberal democracy is assessed. The author’s estimation of the reasons of growth of defects of democracy in Latvia is offered. Attention is drawn to the extent to which the political culture of Latvians corresponds to the values of liberal democracy.
The article studies the compliance of democracy of the Baltic States with the principle of tolerance. The study demonstrated specific social phobias (xenophobia, migrant phobia, homophobia, ...islamophobia, romaphobia, etc.), hate speech and other destructive trends in the Baltic countries that contradict values of liberal democracy. The authors argue that Baltic States face similar challenges of strengthening the principle of tolerance as well as how they differ in intolerance manifestations and mechanisms of their prevention and counteraction. In the Baltic States, issues related to promotion of tolerance are claimed to be common at two levels: at the institutional level (countries do not fulfil some of the EU guidelines aimed at enhancing the principle of tolerance); at the value level (population does not accept completely liberal-democratic values that the EU advocates).
Cilj rada je istražiti procese dekonstrukcije institucije socijalne države pod utjecajem novih izazova kao što su ekonomska globalizacija i tehnološka revolucija. Rad se temelji na metodološkim ...alatima neoinstitucionalizma. Utvrđeni su glavni egzogeni i endogeni uzroci krize institucije socijalne države. Ekonomska globalizacija i tehnološki napredak svrstani su među odlučujuće čimbenike koji uzrokuju dekonstrukciju socijalne države. Sve socijalne države, bez obzira na njihov model, sada se reformiraju putem aktiviranja radno sposobnih osoba i stvaranja države socijalnih ulaganja. Primjećuje se da danas konfiguraciju socijalne države određuje njezin fokus na poticanje konkurencije i razvoj samoinicijative stanovnika glede osiguravanja vlastite dobrobiti. Naglašava se da ekonomsku globalizaciju i tehnološki napredak ne treba sagledavati samo kroz rizike za socijalnu državu. Ova su dva čimbenika utvrđena kao poticaji za daljnji razvoj institucije socijalne države kako bi se prevladalo njeno dugotrajnije stagniranje i kako bi se ona sačuvala kao politička institucija, ali u obnovljenom modelu.
The article aims to investigate the processes of deconstruction of the institution of the welfare state under the influence of such new challenges as economic globalization and technological ...revolution. The study is based on the methodological tools of neo-institutionalism. Principal exogenous and endogenous reasons for the crisis of the welfare state institution are determined. Economic globalization and technological progress are designated as decisive factors conditioning the deconstruction of the welfare state. It is stated that irrespective of the welfare state model, nowadays they all are reformed towards the activation of a working-age person and the establishment of the state of social investments. Currently the configuration of the welfare state is specified by its commitment to stimulating competition and developing the self-initiative of citizens in terms of ensuring their own prosperity. It is highlighted that economic globalization and technological progress should not be considered exclusively from the standpoint of risks for the welfare state. These two factors are identified as stimuli for further evolution of the welfare state institution for the sake of its moving out of prolonged stagnation and preserving itself as a political institution, albeit in the upgraded model. Key words welfare state institution; deconstruction of the welfare state; economic globalization; platform economy; technological progress; Industry 4.0
The peculiarities of Turkey’s foreign policy in the Middle East in 2002-2020 are studied. Turkey’s intentions to establish itself as an influential Eurasian state, which claims leadership in the ...Middle East, as well as in the Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia, were noted. The authors indicate the concept and foreign policy doctrine of “Zero Problems with Neighbors” as the ideological basis for Turkey’s transition from a peripheral to a central role in international politics. It is emphasized that the doctrine of “Zero problems with neighbors” has become a revision of traditional Kemalist values in Turkey’s foreign policy. The authors of the article evaluate the practical implementation of the doctrine as an unsuccessful attempt to become a regional leader in the Middle East. It was emphasized that at the beginning of the implementation of the concept of “Zero problems with neighbors” the only goal of the Turkish government was really to establish good neighborly relations, but after the beginning of the “Arab Spring” foreign policy strategy was revised. It was noted that in the last decade the Turkish government has reoriented to a more pragmatic foreign policy direction; it is determined by the main purpose of protecting its national interests; the result was partial Turkey isolation. The article expresses author’s vision that Turkey in its foreign policy has obviously moved from the concept of “Zero problems with neighbors” to the practice of “zero friends”. It is proved that: 1) Turkey’s relations with the Middle East (except Qatar) are quite tense; 2) although there is a partnership with many countries in the Middle East, it is often based on pragmatic mutual interest of countries, and cooperation often does not go beyond trade and economic relations.
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