It would be a bit of an understatement to say that during the last 25 years we
have witnessed some of the most profound political, social and economic changes
in Europe's history. The fall of communism at the end of the 1980s not only
reshaped relationships within the continent but also provided fascinating
insights into the potential for, and limitations of, the large-scale reshaping
of society. With this in mind the ESF's report aims at identifying the
developments in CEE which may have the potential to become hot research topics
in the study of these regions as a part of European society, and as such be
promoted and endorsed by national and European grant institutions. The report
also outlines ways in which foresight on CEE can contribute to the development
of the social sciences in general and input important topics into transnational
research.Commenting on the report, Robert Burmanjer, head of the Social Sciences and Humanities unit at the European Commission, said: 'The Forward Look provides a well-elaborated insight and recommendations on the place of Social Sciences and Humanities in central and eastern Europe and how these could and should interface with the international research project level.'
In generating the report, three interdisciplinary thematic clusters were identified: Populations in change; New geographies of Europe; and Social cohesion. Populations in change assesses how migration, regional population change, ethnic minorities and integration affect the basic structure of CEE populations. New geographies of Europe focuses on the 'return to Europe', overcoming the West-East divide, on the influence of Cohesion Funds on local governance and on the expanding borders of Europe eastwards. Social cohesion focuses on the degree of socioeconomic transformation that post-communist Europe has undergone over the last 20 years, especially in terms of social mobility and social trust. 'Social sciences in central and eastern Europe were seriously distorted during the communist period.' explained Professor Daniel David, vice-president of the Romanian Research Council (CNCS). 'This report could help us for integrating social sciences research from central and eastern Europe in the international area.' This report has taken on a national importance for many countries. Peter Weiss, ambassador of Slovakia in Hungary, commented: 'Rethinking of social science research in and on central and eastern Europe, setting new frontiers in social sciences and identifying main research challenges and subjects of cooperation between academics from western and eastern European countries is, without a discussion, one of the basic preconditions for overcoming the recent crisis in the EU. The report outlines eight structural recommendations for social science research in and on the CEE. These underline the need to ensure a stronger presence of CEE scholars and CEE social research issues in international level research projects. They also highlight real needs in terms of the development of research infrastructure and human capital, and they call for the implementation of good practices in terms of governance, scientific excellence and independence.
4 comments:
example of what would happen to the rest if we didn’t follow fiscal discipline. Thanks to their policies, the debt crisis spread wide and deep in the continent.
Meanwhile, nations that still have their own currencies and central banks that act as lenders of last resort have seen no hint of a Greek-style run on government debt, even when (like the US, UK and Japan) have large debt and deficits.
Still, this simple observation is yet to be taken into account into the economic policy making in Europe.
And what would that "observation" encourage them to do?
Greece is enslaved by its indebtedness and the fact it can't become more competitive due to being in this monetary union.
What would the pretend-keynesians do about that?
("Pretend" because you never hear them suggest countries run a surplus in good times.)
Over the months, now verging on years, that this blog has been in existence, politicians comments on their country's economy have been reported. Almost always, the tone has been one of apparent surprise at the latest economic figures and indicators turning down signifying lower growth and problems ahead.
When are they going to make the connection - take demand out of the economy (and it doesn't matter how that happens), decrease government spending (or let it flatline), increase uncertainty for the general public and industry and that economy will fail to grow. It should be a lesson they have now all learnt. If they want to see their economy grow they have to have policies that maintain demand. Ultimately, that means that the general public who are the consumer endpoint, is earning, employed and confident that they will be in a year's time. It is really simple.
The policies being implemented and discussed now run counter to this, so they should not suddenly be surprised at their economic figures turniing down. If they don't realise this, see problems ahead and then act appropriately, they should be removed from their position of power. People need jobs.Could the media not point out this link whenever possible and show up these 'surprised' politicos for what they are.
At a summit in Berlin, Angela Merkel and Mario Monti publicly stated they disagreed over the role of Europe’s new big bazooka bail-out fund. The Italian prime minister said the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) should have a bank license to be able to properly bring down Club Med borrowing costs. The German Chancellor said the plan was “incompatible” with EU treaties - and that she was backed by Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank,
Meanwhile Mr Draghi launched an attack on Germany: in an article for Die Welt, he argued that the ECB would need "exceptional measures" to curb the crisis and that Berlin’s interpretation of the bank’s mandate was too narrow.
Baffled traders turned their hopes for solutions on the Federal Reserve’s meeting gathering in Jackson Hole, as the crisis in Spain and Greece advanced.
The small Spanish region of Murcia said it would need to claim €700m from Madrid’s emergency bail-out fund while officials in Valencia said the region would need more than €3.5bn. The forecasts backed fears that Madrid would be swamped by requests for aid from its €18bn fund, after Catalonia said it needed €5bn of support.
In Athens leaders met for more talks on how to achieve €11.5bn savings needed to unlock the next tranche of its bail-out. Prime minister Antonis Samaras faces an up-hill battle to convince his coalition partners to agree to cuts to pensions, pay and benefits for army and police staff.
Philipp Roesler, the German economy minister who claimed last month that a Greek exit from the eurozone had "lost its terror," has repeated his comments in an interview today, declaring that he had no reason to change or withdraw his remarks.
Mr Roesler told German daily Die Zeit: "I have no reason to change my statements or even withdraw them". Other MPs' comments had been even more "dangerous" than his, he added.
Mr Roesler, who has long voiced concerns over Greece's ability to meet its austerity targets, reiterated that if Greece did not deliver on its promises, it would receive any more bail-out cash.
"Anyone who breaks promises, can get no more money," he said.
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