Perspective Politice
Not a member yet
247 research outputs found
Sort by
Persuasive Effects of Nonverbal Elements in Interpersonal Communication
Full text linkNonverbal elements play a fundamental role in interpersonal communication, giving expressiveness to social interactions. The main objective of this study is to provide a theoretical perspective on how nonverbal elements influence a conversation from the very first moments of an interaction. Although they often play an informative and constructive role in communication, there are situations in which such elements can play a persuasive role, for example when aiming to dominate a conversation, or when trying to determine people to act in a certain way. This article highlights both types of roles. In doing so, various communication situations, as discussed in the literature, are examined. Nonverbal elements analysed here are gestures, facial expressions and eye contact/gaze. Based on current literature in the field, I assumed that nonverbal elements may cause interlocutors to become vulnerable to persuasion when they are engaged in a dialogue or to adopt certain behaviors depending on the sender’s intentions. For this purpose, I conducted a qualitative experiment involving 16 people, aged between 20 and 42. The findings of this study have shown that nonverbal elements could be used for persuasive purposes. In addition, the results highlight and provide new ways of empirical investigation of these persuasive effects of nonverbal elements, proposing innovative approaches in the field of nonverbal communication, and thus in the evolution/development of civil societ
Leaving at All Costs: Implications of the Italy-Libya Border-Externalization Policy on Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking Facilitation
Full text linkThe literature on EU’s border-externalization practices in Africa is ample but the case of Italy-Libya’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and its implications on African lives has received insufficient attention. Between 2014 and 2016, Nigerian nationals were the second-highest number of boat arrivals in Italy via Libya – a number that significantly reduced following the implementation of the MoU and related EU migration management initiatives in Africa. Inlight of the above, an important question arises: has this extra-territorialization of EU borders in Africa merely prevented Nigerians from arriving their destination or has it also stopped them from initiating the perilous journey? Relying on indepth interviews from relevant stakeholders, we evaluate how migration and anti-trafficking experts in Nigeria interpret the effect of EU’s extraterritorialization policies in curbing irregular migration from Nigeria. The findings of the study suggest that while border externalization measures have reduced the odds of successfully arriving the destination country – Italy – they do not prevent irregular migration and trafficking facilitation from Nigeria to Libya
Romania’s Role in the Process of Emergency Assistance for the Ukrainian Refugees in Times of Crisis
Full text linkThe magnitude of the influx of Ukrainian refugees, generated by the intensification of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine in 2022, caught the European Union and especially the Eastern European member states by surprise. The main objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the emergency response provided by Romania, including the governmental measures adopted by Romanian authorities in collaboration with UNHCR and IOM, supported by civil society through volunteering. This study focuses specifically on examining and observing the evolution of Romania’s mechanisms of emergency response and assistance, as well as the legislative changes that occurred as a result of the significant influx of Ukrainian refugees on Romanian territory in the first four months following the escalation of the war (February – May 2022). To achieve this objective, official documents provided by the Romanian Government, the Strategic Coordination Group – Humanitarian Assistance, and reports provided by UNHCR and IOM will be analysed, with the primary method being content analysis. The case of Romania is a relevant study because prior to 2022, unlike other EU Eastern member states, it was not on the transit route of refugees and till today is not a full member of the Schengen area, thus through the analysis of the Romanian response, it can be determined whether Romania represents an example of best practices in emergency assistance regarding refugee management
The Political Careers of the PNL Members in the Governments Related to the 2020-2024 Legislature
Full text linkThe aura of power and prestige surrounding the ministerial positions, situated at the apex of the government, is much valued by the parties and political actors (Verzichelli, 2008). The paper explores the political recruitment of Romanian ministers affiliated with the National Liberal Party (PNL) in the governments related to the 2020-2024 electoral cycle. It delves into the processes and factors shaping the recruitment, selection, and careers of ministers within the party, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of political recruitment in the Romanian context. The research examines how elements such as opportunity structure, political ambitions, party positions, and the former local, national, or parliamentary offices held by the political actors (ªtefan, 2016) influence ministerial appointments.
Since most of the PNL ministers were already members of parliament at their ministerial appointment and about three-quarters had obtained two parliamentary mandates, a previous parliamentary career appears to be one of the beaten paths toward the ministerial chair. Being cabinet members in previous electoral cycles was another possible reason for the party’s designation of certain individuals in ministerial positions as more than half of the liberal ministers had prior experience in cabinets. By analysing the career trajectories and tenures of PNL ministers, this study contributes to understanding the complexities involved in the political recruitment of executive members within the party that was continuously in government, along the Cîþu, Ciucã, and Colacu cabinets, in the 2020–2024 legislature
The Roles of Populism: Stability or Threat to Society?
Full text linkThe purpose of the present paper is to understand whether populism helps ensure social stability or poses a threat to it. In order to answer this research question, the paper relies on examining definitions and types of populism using some examples from around the world. This helps us understand the international, historical and political context in which populism appears. Populism has been seen as emerging in reply to crises in society. The response is a criticizing and rebellious one, wishing to bring changes. Populist parties can also lead to crises in society. The methodology section analyses the particular case of AUR party in Romania, based on its values, principles, and actions, and the way it resonates with definitions of populism. AUR was chosen for analysis since it embodies both tendencies, ensuring social stability in response to a crisis of values and lack of cohesion of the Romanians, and leading to social unrest through shocking questioning of values supported by the establishment, such as respect for minority groups, which are in their turn having as a purpose ensuring social cohesion. The data is collected from information on the party’s site, in the media, and in previous research. The values and actions of AUR are not completely anti-establishment, and communication is adapted to various contexts and social classes
Does a Museum Facilitate Social Inclusion and Diversity by Accessing National and European Non-reimbursable Funds?
Full text linkRomania’s investment in culture is very low compared to the budget allocated by other neighbouring European countries to the cultural sector. Against this background, museums in Romania are constantly seeking additional sources of funding for various cultural projects as part of their efforts to catch up with European trends and strengthen the museum’s image as a social agent, facilitating social inclusion and diversity. In this sense, a significant source of extra-budgetary funding for museums is mainly national and European-funded projects. These follow several general principles, such as sustainability, diversity, and social inclusion. Other sources of funding, such as funding from large companies that have an inclusive culture for diverse groups of people, such as people with disabilities, are also important for museums.
Currently, museums are implementing several projects on different funding axes, such as research projects (e.g., Interreg), adult education (Erasmus +), volunteering, solidarity projects (European Solidarity Corps, ESC), and cultural diversity (Creative Europe program).
This article will be based on a dual approach, namely a comprehensive literature review and an analysis of AFCN funding sources from 2019–2023 and the Creative Europe funding axis. This research is extremely relevant because museums in Romania are increasingly active in project management and the absorption of non-reimbursable funds
The Contribution of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to the Development of Digital Skills in Romanian Public Administration
Full text linkThe goal of the European Union to consolidate the digital sovereignty of the region by 2030, within the framework of the Digital Decade of Europe policy program, imposes the responsibility of Member States to contribute through the development of technical and human e-governance infrastructure, being necessary to prepare the body of public servants in public administration to support and use new technologies, both in front-office and back– office relationships. Considering the essential role that human capital plays in national digital development and the achievement of the union’s objectives, this research aims to explore the impact of Romanian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) on the development of digital skills among public servants through the Advanced Digital Skills Training Program for 30,000 executive public servants and 2,500 managerial public servants. This program is managed by the National Agency for Civil Servants (NACS), a central public administration institution responsible for the management of the public service and public servants in Romania. National Agency for Public Servants is also the beneficiary and responsible for the implementation of the specific investment from the NRRP. The study aims to investigate the types of training used to identify and propose blended approaches of formal and informal digital education that enhance the initial training, testing, and certification services offered by the NACS program
Evolution of Rail Policies in Italy: From Post-War Reconstruction to the Birth of the Republic
Full text linkThis contribution explores the role of political institutions in shaping railway policies in Italy between the war years and the early years of the Italian Republic. During this transitional period, Italy was faced with the need to rebuild and modernise its railway system after the devastating effects of the Second World War. The policies implemented reflected a commitment to upgrading existing infrastructure and building new railway lines in order to improve the connectivity and mobility of people and goods on a national and international scale. Railway policies adopted have contributed significantly to Italy’s socio-economic development, providing an important impetus for the modernisation and growth of the national railway system. However, much work remains to be done to address current and future challenges and to ensure that rail transport continues to play a central role in the country’s future sustainable development
National, Community, and Individual Resilience – From Uncertainty to Unity Amid War: The Israeli Case – Operation Iron Swords, 2023
Full text linkThe resilience and stability of human society, be it of the individuals or the communities comprising it, depend on several key variables. At times, these variables are influenced by internal forces, such as the economy, social cohesion, and mutual responsibility; at times, they are influenced by the perceptions of the individual – as a product of one’s upbringing, education, and values; and at times, these variables are affected by external forces, such as existential threats facing the nation. The latter will be at the heart of this essay, which will delve into Israel as a nation on the brink of social collapse over the government’s push for a radical judicial overhaul. What seemed like an unbridgeable internal divide, however, was immediately sidelined on October 7, 2023, when the Hamas terrorist group launched an unprecedented onslaught against Israel, with a massacre that left 1,400 people dead. That bloody morning, which plunged Israel into war, saw all sectors of Israeli society band together immediately, rising like the legendary phoenix to stand united against those seeking its destruction and proving Israel’s national resilience as a force to be reckoned with. This shift – from distress to determination – will be the main focus of this analysis. Is there such a thing as “inherent” national resilience? Looking at the British people during World War II, when they came together to keep calm and carry on during the attacks by Nazi Germany, the answer could be “Yes,” as the national strength exhibited seemed ingrained in the British character. Still, other nations seem to lack this type of “backbone” and must therefore develop “acquired resilience” via defense training, active and passive defenses, vaccinations, etc. Does this claim stand the test of time and reality as it appears to manifest in the Israeli case? This essay will focus on resilience as a basic and central concept around which the circles of society move. It will present the variables influencing the nature of resilience and their effect on the quantity, quality, and reality of resilience, in any given country at the level of an individual, the community, and the nation. To analyze these concepts, I will present the Israeli case of 2023 to examine the fundamental question of whether an external threat is key to a nation’s unity, social cohesion, and the formation of a strong and stable communal, individual, and national core able to ward off such threats. I will also delve into the question of how, in the absence of inherent resilience – as in the British case – can a society, such as the Israeli society, preserve the cohesion and resilience it has acquired amid a military conflict
Connecting the Dots, Taking a Stand: Universities, Democracy and Gender Equality Policies
Full text linkGender equality is a core EU value stated in Articles 2 and 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Important steps have been taken in this respect at the EU level, with new and innovative methods and instruments being provided for the member states in the process of the know-how and best practice transfer. Promoting gender equality has become, little by little, a strategic approach in the E.U. but has also been an important field of ideological battles. In consequence, making gender equality public policies is not an easy task, especially in a conservative (even anti-gender) context. At the same time, legal and institutional change within public administration, as well as mainstreaming gender in public policies, and specific gender equality policies cannot be done without strong political will. However, the legitimacy of the political will is based on the democratic connection between elected politicians and the citizens, and in conservative/anti-gender and neoliberal contexts, different strategies are used to keep women’s interests out of the negotiation and renegotiation of the citizenship contract. Starting from here, in this paper I will first give arguments to support the idea that universities are becoming an important link that can and should bridge the gap described above. Second, I will briefly present how two important Romanian Universities – Bucharest University and the National School of Political and Administrative Studies SNSPA – have been involved in building legitimacy for gender equality public policies