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The Intellectual History of Romanian Feminism from Early Transition to Democratic Deconsolidation and Illiberalism
Full text linkMy analytical study aims at mapping feminist ideas in their temporal and political context, following a series of fundamental landmarks focusing on the aftermath of the economic crisis of 2008–2010 when the anti-austerity mobilizations led to a general socio-economic critique. My assumption is that year 2015 and the refugee crisis marked a repositioning of feminism at the European level and, in the particular case of the Romanian one, an additional opening towards social inequalities, poverty/feminization of poverty, class, and ethnicity.
In this paper, in addition to clarifying the methodological perspective, I analyse what I call the second ‘foundational’ period of Romanian feminism – between 2018 and present. It is a redivivus – the second ‘foundational’ period of feminism in relation with the tendencies of democratic deconsolidation in Central and Eastern European as well as with the imperative of facing the political insurgency of illiberalism. In this new political context, which had as its decisive moment the constitutional referendum of 2018 regarding same-sex marriages, Romanian feminism preserved its diversity built in the previous period but was forced to consolidate itself, becoming, thus, one of the most assertive oppositional paradigms to illiberalism and democratic backsliding. My assumption is that, departing from the traditional Stein Rokkan’s taxonomy of political cleavages, we have entered a new phase: the cleavage between different democratization strategies (Buttorf and Dion, 2017: 102)
Civil Society and the Legitimacy of Executive Power
Full text linkA liberal-democratic society (from a political theory perspective) is self-governing in the sense that people, through their directly elected representatives, exercise sovereignty and decision-making authority. Through this process, elected officials should have the power and the responsibility to decide all policy matters. In the real world, however, this is not so easy since public policy is made by bureaucrats and not by elected officials. With the birth of the Welfare State, in fact, the question of how much control representatives elected by citizens should exercise over the Public Administration (PA) has become a topic of relevance. The presence of permanent officials in relevant administrative roles corrects some of the major shortcomings of democratic governance and contributes significantly to the success and stability of liberal democratic States. It is therefore necessary to begin a reflection that can give relevance to the normative dimension of the executive power with a deontological analysis on the role of the civil servant/public official. This paper aims to underline the importance of PA in a liberal-democratic political system and explain which are the limits of democratic legitimacy for public officials fulfilling their functions. In addition to this, an alternative approach will be proposed. A vocational model of accountability based on the neutrality of the public function and on a set of liberal values (efficiency, liberty and equality) as a healthy corrective to populism and illiberal democracies and an alternative to the democratic legitimacy
New Models for the Development of Sustainable Tourism: Encouraging the Participation of Local Communities
Full text linkTourism has the ability to generate numerous economic and employment opportunities but, alongside these, it appears necessary to also investigate the negative externalities connected to this phenomenon. In fact, tourism tends to profoundly modify a territory and the quality of life of those who reside there, sometimes positively. From this perspective, sustainable tourism is a form of tourism aimed at reducing the environmental, social and economic impact caused by tourist activities, to encourage the protection of the natural and cultural resources of the destination places. Through the review of the literature and the analysis of a case study, the contribution investigates the need to encourage models of participation and involvement of local communities as a tool to protect themselves and their territory, since tourism shared by the local community is more sustainable, ethical and responsible
The Influence of the Ukrainian Conflict on Romanian, Polish and Bulgarian Security and Defence Policies
Full text linkThe Ukrainian conflict highlights the recurrent nature of conflicts in human history and their profound impact on societies. Although the post-World War II period was relatively stable, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia marked the end of this apparent stability. The theoretical framework of the study is rooted in realism in international relations, which focuses on power and national security. This perspective is used to understand the actions of the states involved in the Ukrainian conflict. The study explores the causes of the conflict and the responses from NATO and the European Union, emphasizing how the war has prompted European states to reassess defence priorities and strengthen alliances. A significant part of the study details the specific changes in the security and defence policies of Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria. Romania and Poland have notably increased their defence budgets and requested additional NATO troops. Poland has modernized its defence infrastructure and boosted domestic arms production. In contrast, Bulgaria has taken a more passive approach, with fewer initiatives to revitalize its defence industry. The study’s conclusions partially confirm the initial hypotheses, highlighting the increased defence budget allocations in Romania and Poland, but not in Bulgaria. There also are challenges regarding recruiting military personnel and adapting national security strategies. All in all, the responses of the states to the conflict are closely linked to their threat perceptions and specific national interests
Is Romania Factoring in Environmental Goals in its Official Development Assistance to Recipient Countries?
Full text linkOfficial Development Assistance (ODA) refers to the provision of financial and technical resources by developed countries to support the economic, social, and environmental development of recipient nations, the undeveloped countries. This article explores Romania’s efforts in promoting ODA, focusing particularly on how it integrates environmental sustainability into development programs for recipient countries. By analysing Romania’s ODA strategies in areas such as natural resource management and marine geology, the study highlights the crucial relationship between donor countries like Romania and the environmental challenges faced by beneficiary nations. Through these efforts, Romania aims to contribute to the achievement of global sustainable development goals and improve environmental practices in recipient countries. The article highlights how Romania’s ODA projects integrate environmental aspects such as natural resource management and marine geology. It will also consider the importance of local communities’ awareness and involvement in conserving natural resources and marine ecosystems. Through qualitative research including case studies and content analysis, the article analyses the results of projects carried out by Romania in various recipient countries. The article also explores the challenges encountered in implementing these projects and proposes optimizing future strategies. The importance of international collaboration and sustainable partnerships in addressing global environmental issues is highlighted. This analysis of the variable related to natural resource management and marine geology brings into question the contributions of Romania’s ODA projects in building a sustainable and resilient future for recipient states, which are achievable in the context of preserving natural resources, conserving marine habitats, protecting vulnerable species and promoting sustainable development. This study aims to contribute to understanding how ODA donors such as Romania can positively influence environmental policies and practices in partner countries, thereby strengthening the shared commitment to a more sustainable and equitable future
Towards a New Common sense? A Gramscian Analysis of the Discursive Strategies of Romania’s Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR)
Full text linkRight-wing populist-nationalist parties in Europe have been challenging the established liberal order for an extended period, and the year 2024 poses numerous challenges. With the growing gap between traditional political parties and social strata, there is an urgent need for a deeper understanding of the discourse employed by right-wing populist-nationalist parties as they attempt to address this rupture. In Romania, recent polls indicate that the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) holds the third position, positioning it as the primary opposition party, as the top two parties, PSD and PNL, have formed a coalition since 2021. Originating during the 2018 referendum debate on redefining the family, AUR has grown, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, employing a discourse that incorporates nationalist, religious, and traditional family elements. This paper seeks to analyse the discursive elements employed by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party, utilizing a Gramscian approach. In a year marked by European, local, general, and presidential elections, understanding how this party is shaping a new common sense to counter the existing hegemony is crucial, as the common sense plays and important role in the functioning of democracy. The paper identifies the alternative narratives proposed by AUR and examines how symbols and references to traditions are incorporated into their discourse. Common sense, as Gramsci describes it, is not a homogenous set of ideas, but rather a multitude of ideas that are constantly changing.
The task of this paper is to identify the elements that form the discourses of AUR and how they form an alternative common sense
Deterioration of the Rule of Law and the Effects Over Economic Development – A Comparative Analysis on the United States of America, Singapore and Romania
Full text linkThis paper analyses the relationship between the deterioration of the rule of law and the negative consequences on socio-economic development in the contemporary world. To scrutinize this correlation, quantitative-comparative analysis and secondary data review methods will be used. This aims to determine the extent to which the rule of law has a determining role or not in the development of states and societies. These results can serve as data for the basis of qualitative and sustainable public policies.
The research aims to compare and contrast countries such as the United States of America, Singapore and Romania and determine the correlation between the deterioration of the rule of law, with a specific focus towards measurable elements such as the absence of corruption, and the consequences over economic development and prosperity. The country case studies have been identified purposefully to reflect different geographical areas, different historical pasts, and various levels of economic development. Despite the differences, the research aims to solely analyse the correlation between the rule of law and economic status
Europe’s Export of Cybersurveillance Technology: Impacts on Myanmar’s Civil Society
Full text linkThis contribution aimed to examine the critical issues related to the export of cybersurveillance technologies by some European Union companies to Myanmar, a country with a history of instability and geopolitical tensions that have been exacerbated since the military coup of 2021. Non-governmental organizations operating in the country, in addition to humanitarian and development assistance, play a crucial role in the evolution of civil society, and, also thanks to some of them, it has been possible to find out some irregularities in the export of dual-use goods that may cause social impacts and infringe on the freedoms of Burmese civil society. Through a qualitative analysis of the literature, the main EU regulations, and related NGOs documents, the research uncovered some regulatory loopholes that allowed such exports while examining the practices of some European companies in Burma.
The work carried out confirmed the need for stricter regulation: in this sense, the European Commission’s recent Delegated Regulation 2023/66 aims to ensure more effective control over this type of export by preventing the misuse of surveillance technology and promoting greater accountability of companies operating in authoritarian contexts
Economic Inequality and Social Welfare Policies in Latvia and Lithuania: Assessing the Impact on Vulnerable Populations
Full text linkThis study examines economic inequality in Latvia and Lithuania, focusing on the impact of social welfare policies on vulnerable groups in these countries. Motivated by growing concerns over socio-economic disparities in post-Soviet states, the research evaluates the effectiveness of government interventions in reducing these inequalities. The introduction contextualizes the socio-economic conditions of Latvia and Lithuania, stressing the importance of tackling economic inequality. A literature review summarizes previous research on the subject and identifies gaps that this study addresses. The methodology employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from national statistics with qualitative analysis of policy documents and previous studies. The findings highlight significant differences in inequality levels and the varying success of social welfare policies in both countries. The study identifies key vulnerable populations, including the elderly, unemployed, minorities, and low-income families, who are most affected by economic inequality. The discussion compares these findings with prior research and critiques current policies. The study concludes with policy recommendations for improving social welfare measures, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and comprehensive reforms. By offering a comparative analysis, the research provides valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and social advocates, advocating for tailored policies that address the specific socio-economic contexts of Latvia and Lithuania while promoting equity and social justice
